House Manager with Meal Prep Focus at Sage Haus — NeverHard

Job DescriptionJob Description Job Title: House Manager with Meal Prep Focus Location: Currently based in Woodstock, Ontario, N4S 0C8. Transitioning to Thorndale, Ontario, N0M 2P0 (approximately 15 minutes from London, ON) in approximately December/January. Employment Type: Part-time, 1820 hours per week Schedule: 3 days per week (Monday and Friday preferred; third day to be agreed upon with the family). Core hours approximately 9:00 AM to 3:00/3:30 PM. Compensation: $30$35/hour, based on experience Proposed Start Date: ASAP Requirements Maintain a smoke-free environment Reliable transportation and valid driver's license Fragrance-free and hygienic: no perfumes, heavy fabric softeners, scented body products, fake nails, etc. Food Handler Safety Certification preferred; family is willing to support obtaining upon hire CPR and First Aid certification preferred; family is willing to support obtaining upon hire About Our Family We are a busy, active family living in a small Ontario community (Woodstock), with an exciting move to a larger rural property on the horizon (just outside of Thorndale). At the center of our world are our three young children, with a fourth joining us this fall. Life in our home is full, joyful, and naturally energetic - mornings are a blend of school drop-offs, activities, and getting everyone where they need to be, while afternoons settle into quieter rhythms around naps, early family dinners, and time together. We care deeply about creating a warm, welcoming home and place a lot of value on healthy habits, home-cooked meals, and thoughtful routines that help family life run smoothly. We love gathering with friends and family, hosting often, and creating a space that feels comfortable, lived-in, and cared for. Right now, we're in a smaller home, but we'll soon be moving into a larger property with more dedicated spaces for laundry, play, and day-to-day household flow. We're excited for this next chapter and the opportunity to create an environment where the right person can help ease the move/transition, truly settle in, work independently, and become an important part of keeping our home running beautifully. The mother is home full-time and very involved and present with the children throughout the day. The role being filled is therefore not centered predominantly around childcare - it's about creating the support behind the scenes that allows the family to function well and gives her more time and energy to focus on being with the kids. Likewise, the family has engaged a cleaning company that provides regular deep cleans of the home, so this role won't centre around the deep cleaning function. We're looking for someone who enjoys bringing calm, order, and care into a home and takes pride in making everyday life feel easier for others - in other words, a house manager with a focus on meal prep, laundry and tidying to bridge the gap and help the home run smoothly. Who You Are / What We're Looking For Emotionally Intelligent & Intuitive You naturally read a room and adapt your approach accordingly. You know when to step in and take initiative, and when to work quietly in the background without disrupting the flow of the household - giving space for the family, their personal interactions and those with guests. You bring a positive attitude to work with a willingness to learn, and are present and engaged while on the job. Warm but Clear on Boundaries You genuinely enjoy being around children and bring a kind, approachable presence to the home, while understanding that your primary responsibility is supporting the household rather than serving as the main childcare provider. Proactive & Anticipatory You notice what needs attention before it becomes a task. Whether laundry is piling up or the toy space could use some organizing, you take ownership and keep things moving without needing constant direction. Reliable & Consistent You listen carefully when given instructions and pay attention to detail to follow them thoroughly, and retain the employer's preferences and systems over time. Once something is explained, it becomes part of how you operate rather than something that needs repeated reminders. Respectful, Discreet & Trustworthy You understand that working in a private home requires professionalism, good judgment, and respect for family dynamics, routines, and personal space. Aligned with a Health-Conscious Lifestyle You appreciate the value of nutritious, home-cooked meals and take pride in maintaining a kitchen and household environment that supports healthy daily living. Key Responsibilities This role focuses on keeping the household running smoothly day to day, with a few core priorities that anchor the work. Other responsibilities support the overall flow of the home and are handled as time allows or on an as-needed basis. We care more about the right things getting done not checking all the boxes. Weekly Priorities: Laundry & Linen Care Full ownership of laundry from start to finish washing, drying, folding, and putting away High-volume household: multiple daily outfit changes for young children, athletic wear, work uniforms, and evening clothing Ironing and steaming as needed Weekly rotation of bedding and bathroom towels Maintain a tidy, well-stocked laundry area Meal Support Receive grocery deliveries and put away according to family preferences (e.g., pre-washing produce, organizing eggs in designated holders, restocking water bottles/cans in fridges throughout the home) Assist with ingredient prep: chopping, marinating, grilling, measuring - partnered approach with the family for several dinners a week Prepare simple weekday lunches for adults and children (grilled proteins, salads, quesadillas, etc.) Batch-cook two weekend meals (examples: chili, stir fry) to serve as family dinners Comfortable using a barbecue and following recipes when provided Assist with kitchen clean-up and day-to-day kitchen maintenance After the family's move, may incorporate grocery pickup into responsibilities (family will continue to place orders - may just require successful candidate to pick up order that's been placed at grocery store and bring to the employer's home on way to work for the day) Daily reset of the Home Dishes (unloading/reloading dishwasher and handwashing certain items including kids' dishes that don't go in the dishwasher), vacuum high traffic areas, taking out the trash/recycling, wipe down kitchen island, tidy mudroom including tidying shoes/coats, toy area, and general surfaces, fresh hand towels and bath mats throughout bathrooms, and other daily home reset tasks as required Those core daily and weekly responsibilities come first, but once handled, we welcome support in other areas based on time, energy, and household needs that week, including: Household Organization & Maintenance Help establish organizational systems in the new home and maintain existing ones Manage fridge and pantry: weekly wipe-down, rotation of items, and proactive removal of anything expiring Assist with seasonal tasks: clothing swaps, washing and storing seasonal gear and outerwear Change batteries, light bulbs, and smoke detector batteries on a regular cadence Indoor plant care Assist with packing and unpacking for family travel Inventory & Errands Proactively track and add items to the household shopping list as supplies run low Receive packages, sort mail, and break down and organize recycling Coordinate donation drop-offs as needed Light errands using personal vehicle like returns and dry cleaning (mileage reimbursement provided) Family Support Light back-up childcare only - stepping in briefly if the primary caregiver needs to step out for a short errand Prep backpacks, unload/reload lunches, school clothing, and snacks as part of the daily routine Deep Cleaning & Special Projects Periodic deep cleans of the fridge, pantry, and high-traffic storage areas Clean humidifiers and air purifiers when they come out of seasonal use Assist with holiday, event, and guest prep Organizational projects as needed (toy storage, gear, garage, etc.) Occasional vehicle cleanout and general tidiness Vendor & Property Oversight Be present to let in and oversee the weekly cleaning crew; serve as the point person for cleaner questions Let in contractors and service providers as needed; flag any maintenance concerns to the family Outdoor reset as part of daily routine: ensure deck cushions are out when appropriate and stored before weather changes How to Apply Please submit: A short intro letter An updated resume 3 professional references with current contact information. 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