Having a house manager can be key to the successful operations of any team of domestic staff—especially in larger households. House managers are in charge of butlers, housekeepers, private chefs and more, and are the key to simplifying the day-to-day activities of everyday life.
The term ‘house manager’ can refer to a variety of roles that vary between different households and clients, but generally speaking, house managers are individuals placed in charge of ensuring the household is operated smoothly, and that day-today tasks are taken care of.
In this post, we will explore what exactly a house manager is, what they do, and how to decide whether or not you could benefit from a house manager in your household. Plus, we will discuss the potential costs of hiring a house manager to your domestic staff.
What is a House Manager?
A house manager is an employee hired by an individual whose primary duty is to make sure all household operations run smoothly–from cleaning and cooking to scheduling other household appointments.
Ultimately, a house manager is going to be made responsible for the day-to-day activities and tasks in order to free up the client so that they have the time to prioritize other areas of their life. Exactly what those tasks are is up to the client to determine and relay to the house manager.
Different households will require different things from their house manager. In some cases, a house manager position may be short-term, particularly during busy times, while in other cases the position may be a permanent or long-term in nature.
Generally speaking, a house manager will only oversee the management of a single household. For those with multiple households or properties, the position would instead be called an estate manager.
What Does a House Manager Do?
As mentioned, the actual tasks that a house manager will perform for a client will vary. This is why it is important for house manager candidates to have a diversified skill set that can meet the challenges of many situations. A strong candidate for a house manager position will have:
Relevant house management experience
A strong ability to multitask
Leadership skills to oversee other staff
Adaptability to sudden changes in plans
Technical and computer expertise
Strong communication skills
Though house managers often work within a larger group of staff of which they oversee, they can also work alone as well. Additionally, a house manager may be placed in charge of preparing and serving meals, although a private household chef may be better suited for such a position.
Ultimately, it is up to the client to decide exactly what responsibilities the house manager will be given. The beauty of the house manager is their flexibility, giving clients a wide range of options for how to employ their skills. Here are a few examples of common tasks given to house managers:
Completing daily errands
Answering telephones and taking messages
Planning parties or events
Recruiting new staff for positions such as housekeeper, chef, etc.
Making travel arrangements for the client
Do I Need a House Manager?
Determining whether you are in need of a house manager comes down to an assessment of whether or not all your household needs are being met, as well as a measure of how much time is being potentially mismanaged without the help of a managing domestic staff.
Even if there are little to no other staff within a household currently, a house manager could still be majorly beneficial and may even lead to the hiring of additional staff members down the line. Thus, hiring a house manager can be a good starting point for building a larger staff, but can also remain a good solo-position that covers your necessary arrangements.
For those living in Southern California, we offer a hand-selected candidate hiring process to choose the best domestic staff for you. While you’re here, check out the list of domestic services we offer, including house managers.
How Much Does a House Manager Cost?
A house manager position is generally salaried and not hourly, and that salary must be worked out between the candidate and the client. We offer salary negotiations once the best candidate for you has been selected.
According to reported salaries on Glassdoor, house managers in Southern California can average between $38,000 to $84,000. That figure varies depending on certain cities, but generally we see salaries within that range.
Since the house manager position typically is salaried, the job is treated with the utmost respect and can act as a stepping stone in his or her career. Their hire is an investment in their future as well as an investment in the overall functionality of your household.
Ready to hire a House Manager in Southern California?
Deciding to hire a house manager is a big step, and it is important to find someone who is well-suited and specialized enough to meet your specific needs, while also having a diverse skillset and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
Here at Seaside Staffing, we offer award-winning domestic services from candidates that are highly-vetted and matched with clients that they will best complement. These considerations include scrutiny over the type of living arrangement you have, as well as the availability of the house manager for which you seek.
To learn more about our house managers, submit a request for contact and describe to us exactly what you are looking for in a candidate. Once you have submitted, we will review your request and contact you shortly!
Luke Yates
Integrations Engineer
Luke Yates brings both technical precision and creative problem-solving to his role as Integrations Engineer at Seaside Staffing Company. His fascination with how things work started in childhood—taking apart computer towers just to see their inner workings—and has since evolved into expertise spanning backend development, systems integration, and IT infrastructure. A year living in the Czech Republic deepened Luke’s appreciation for different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. At Seaside, he’s the engineer who ensures our technology works seamlessly so our team can focus on making exceptional placements. From building custom integrations to managing our digital infrastructure, Luke’s work keeps our operations running smoothly and our team connected. When he’s not solving technical challenges, Luke is likely hiking through the wilderness or diving into his latest read.
Samantha Johnson
Social Media Manager
After seven years as a professional nanny in high-net-worth and high-profile homes, Samantha authored a guide for both elite caregivers and athlete families to help bridge the gap between professional support and private household dynamics. Today, she brings that same heart and clarity to Seaside Staffing Company’s social presence by crafting content that helps others feel understood, seen, and connected. As a military child who’s lived across the country, Samantha naturally connects with people from all backgrounds and values the integrity, compassion, and authenticity that define the Seaside brand.
DARA G. YATES
Placement Coordinator
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JADE STEVENSON
Social Media Manager
As our social media manager, Jade Stevenson is one of the primary gatekeepers to our Seaside story.
With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Psychology, Jade is a natural champion of authenticity, and she uses her whimsically pink hair to nudge all of us closer to her magical world of creative expression.
As a kid, Jade discovered she was allergic to more than 60 percent of the food pyramid, and it is in this journey where she began to learn just how important it is to show up as a force of kindness in the world. She holds an unwavering belief in the power of story, and she believes that small acts of compassion can truly spark a movement of positivity and change.
When she’s not showing up with her digital marketing genius at Seaside, Jade can be easily spotted (thanks to her pink hair) tutoring local teens and helping them write the types of college essays that earn acceptance letters from the schools of their dreams.
Equally at home whether she’s amplifying the voices of Black Femmes or losing herself in the quiet stillness of an ancient book of poetry, Jade is a living expression of what it means to fully embrace your truest self. When you meet her, you’ll immediately feel like you’re right at home, and she’ll always help you discover and celebrate the best parts of who you are.
JESSICA HE
Placement Coordinator
Jessica He has spent her entire life stepping feet first into the big, wide world, making every corner of it feel like home – no matter where she’s at.
Earning two Bachelor’s degrees in Chinese language and East Asian Studies, she’s traveled the world to study in monasteries, climb Mount Fuji, and drink tea and coffee with otters. (Yes, that last one is real. Ask her about it.) She’s also served as an ESL teacher, a recruiter, a trainer, and a nanny – always finding ways to work alongside families and children. Today, she brings all her stories and all her experiences to Seaside Staffing Company where she makes the art of perfect matchmaking look flawlessly simple.
When Jessica isn’t in the Seaside office, she’s a busy momma who knows firsthand what it’s like to be in the trenches and need support. Unashamed to claim her sense of humor as one of her greatest talents, Jessica is perpetually positive, fiercely organized, and always seems to find a way to bring levity to the hardest-to-solve problems. Knowing Jessica means you’ll never forget how to laugh, and she’ll give you the courage to live your life to the fullest.
(Want to see her humor in action? Ask her about the time she lived in China and got her Oreos confiscated by a very disappointed nun.)
KIMBERLY BANEY
Placement Coordinator
With an MBA in HR Management and Accounting, Kim might best be described as a people expert.
She spent six years teaching children online in China as an ESL instructor, and with a TESOL certification in her proverbial back pocket, it’s no wonder why she shows up at Seaside every single day with a big, bold view of the world.
Over the last decade, Kim has served as a recruiter and a placement coordinator in the household staffing industry, and she’s learned that while systems are incredibly important, relationships matter more. It’s not uncommon to hear Seaside clients talk to Kim like she’s their best friend. They know she’ll go to the ends of the earth for them (and we’ve seen her do it countless times).
When Kim isn’t at Seaside, she can most likely be found 4-wheeling through the dirt and taking long hikes with her dogs. She’s always up for a great adventure, and she says one of the craziest things she’s ever done is buying an Amish house with no electricity or hot water (besides that one time in high school when she thought it was a great idea to buy a car with a giant British flag painted on the hood).
“The basement of our house used to be a bakery,” she says. “When I’m dreaming about escaping to New Zealand or Scotland, I just head downstairs, take in a deep breath, and imagine myself eating a delicious cinnamon roll baked to sticky-finger perfection.”
The term ‘house manager’ can refer to a variety of roles that vary between different households and clients, but generally speaking, house managers are individuals placed in charge of ensuring the household is operated smoothly, and that day-today tasks are taken care of.
In this post, we will explore what exactly a house manager is, what they do, and how to decide whether or not you could benefit from a house manager in your household. Plus, we will discuss the potential costs of hiring a house manager to your domestic staff.
