The posting
Job Title: House Manager & Family Assistant with Afternoon Childcare
Location: Boston, MA 02131
Employment Type: Part-time, 15-20 hours per week (15 hours guaranteed)
Schedule: 1:30-6:30pm three weekdays per week. Additional morning, evening, or weekend hours may be offered by mutual agreement, typically with advance notice. Approximately two date nights per month are anticipated.
Compensation: $32-35 per hour (paid via W-2)
Paid vacation and sick leave provided. Mileage and approved parking or toll expenses incurred while working will be reimbursed.
Start Date: ASAP
Requirements
- Maintain a smoke-free environment
- Must be authorized to work in the United States.
- A safe, reliable personal vehicle and clean driving record are required. The role includes regular local driving for preschool pickup and household errands.
- Must be comfortable around dogs.
- Candidates are required to be up to date on recommended vaccinations in line with American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, subject to applicable legal accommodations.
About Our Family
We are a busy, loving family based in the Roslindale area of Boston. We are a family that values warmth, connection, reliability, and a home that feels calm and organized - but we need some help with that! Both parents hold demanding full-time roles, and one parent travels regularly for work, so we are looking for consistent support with the routines and responsibilities of family life. Our four-year-old attends full-time preschool, and we also have a spirited, friendly dog. We are looking for support that will allow us to spend more focused, quality time together as a family.
We are thoughtful, systems-oriented people who value clear routines and strong household systems. We have some in place already, but there are gaps where we could benefit from additional support. We also have found ourselves in a position where we create systems, but struggle to maintain them. We are looking for someone who can notice what needs attention, follow through on details, and help everyday life run more smoothly.
Because we don't have nearby family to lean on, the right person will become an important part of our support network and a reliable presence in our child’s life. We want someone our little one will love, who feels like a trusted presence in our home over time, and who brings consistency and care to every shift. Our child attends full-time day care and we currently work with a cleaning team and a daily dog walker, so this role is focused on day-to-day household support, backup childcare coverage, and the kinds of tasks that fall through the cracks in a busy home.
Who You Are / What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate is someone who notices what needs to be done and jumps on it. Once you are familiar with the household and its priorities, you can work independently, maintain established routines, and identify appropriate next steps. You are proactive, self-directed, and take initiative. You communicate openly and proactively, whether that means flagging that you're running behind, asking a clarifying question, or letting us know when something ran out.
You take feedback with grace and feel comfortable sharing yours with us, too. You appreciate a well-organized home and find satisfaction in maintaining systems. You are comfortable with a varied role and can shift thoughtfully between detailed, logistical, and practical responsibilities.
You are reliable, emotionally steady, and naturally warm with young children. You enjoy playing, talking, reading, and building a genuine relationship with a preschooler while also providing calm, age-appropriate boundaries. You are patient with developmental learning, bathroom needs, occasional accidents, mealtime spills, and big feelings, and you handle them without frustration, shame, or embarrassment. You take joy in being part of a child’s life, are comfortable driving a child frequently, and take that responsibility seriously. You understand that family needs can change, and are able to adapt with ease. While we want to have a set schedule for everyone’s sake, the right candidate will have some flexibility to step in and help with occasional morning drop-offs or coverage for a date night or weekend activity. You are professional, but genuinely want to become an extension of our family support system - we are truly looking to add to our village.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities will vary by week and will be prioritized collaboratively. We do not expect every item listed below to be completed during every shift. Childcare responsibilities take priority whenever the child is in the candidate’s care.
Family Support & Childcare
- Pick up our four-year-old from preschool and provide safe, warm, and engaged care through the early evening three days per week.
- Occasionally be available for morning drop-offs
- Provide consistent, engaged afternoon childcare, including play, snacks or a simple meal, bathroom support, transitions, and supervision until a parent is available
- Provide patient bathroom assistance, including reminders, wiping, clothing changes, and occasional accident cleanup
- Date night coverage approximately 2 times per month, scheduled by mutual agreement and generally with advance notice.
- Prep backpacks, clothing, and snacks
- Kid-related errands
Household Management & Organization
- Create and maintain household organization systems
- Daily resets and prep home ahead of cleaning team visits
- Light tidying: dishes, surfaces, vacuuming high-traffic areas, refilling soap dispensers
- Seasonal swaps for clothing, décor, and bedding
- Prepare and coordinate donation drop-offs
- Event/holiday/guest prep
- Unpack from travel as needed
- Water indoor plants
- Change batteries, light bulbs, smoke detectors, etc.
Laundry & Linen Care
- Wash, fold, and put away laundry for the family, including linens
- Ironing, steaming, and special garment care as needed
- Maintain a tidy and well-stocked laundry area
Inventory & Errands
- Note low-stock items and contribute to household supply lists
- Restock pantry/fridge/household supplies
- Manage household orders and subscriptions (Amazon, Target, Costco) as needed
- Handle errands including post office, returns, tailor, gift shopping, etc.
- Mail and package handling, including break down and recycling of boxes
Meal Planning & Prep
- Prep healthy snacks and school lunches 3–5 times per week
- Occasional grocery shopping for child and household items
- Kitchen clean-up and maintenance
Vehicle Management
- Occasionally take the family vehicle for routine maintenance
- Occasional cleaning and organizing of the family vehicle as needed
Deep Cleaning & Special Projects
- Refresh high-traffic zones/entryways
- Clean humidifiers and air purifiers
- Organizational projects (toys, linen closet, and storage areas)
- Occasional deep cleans (fridge, oven, baseboards)
Vendor & Property Oversight
- Oversee cleaners/contractors/landscapers as needed
Administrative & Personal Assistant Support
- Review the shared family calendar and help prepare for upcoming school, household, travel, and family needs
- Receipt/budget tracking for expenses incurred as house manager
How to Apply
Please submit a short intro letter telling us about yourself and why this role is a great fit, an updated resume, and 3 professional references with contact information. Please note that this role requires a background check.
Submit your application through Sage Haus to be considered.
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