Property | House Manager — Washington, DC
Local candidates strongly preferred; open to out-of-area candidates with ties to the DC area
Our repeat client, a kind and generous family with a residence in Washington, DC, is looking for a hands-on Property | House Manager. This isn't the Family's primary residence, so the role naturally ebbs and flows; quieter, more autonomous stretches while they're away, and busy, all-hands-on-deck periods a few times a year when they're in residence and during special projects.
The primary focus is Property Management, someone handy, resourceful, smart and proactive who troubleshoots independently and thinks diagnostically before calling in outside help. Responsibilities include maintaining the residence and grounds, performing repairs and handyman work, managing residential systems, coordinating vendors and contractors, overseeing preventative maintenance, and managing vehicles and inventory. The ideal candidate brings a true service mindset that carries through the entire year. When the family is in residence, that means being hands-on, whether it's running errands or moving furniture, with a genuine "no job too big or too small" attitude. When the family is away, it means shifting into autonomous operations, overseeing the maintenance and care of the residence as well as focusing on improvements and larger construction projects. In addition, the role requires year-round coordinating of orders, deliveries and shipping for the family.
Preferred candidates have experience with private families or luxury hotels, are detail-focused self-starters, and strong communicators. This is a hands-on role requiring real knowledge of luxury household systems and private residence management, not suited for those with primarily commercial property experience. The Property | House Manager will be supervised by a member of the Family’s Team.
What You’ll Do:
Property Management
- Conduct regular walk-throughs of the residence and grounds to monitor condition, systems, and security
- Oversee and maintain all residential systems, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, security, network/AV, lighting, irrigation, and appliances
- Manage preventative maintenance calendars and household operations documentation, including digital property management platforms
- Perform hands-on maintenance, repairs, and handyman work, while knowing when to bring in specialized vendors
- Source, coordinate, and manage contractors and service providers across landscaping, systems maintenance, security, pest control, and more
- Diagnose larger repair and construction needs and develop project proposals for review
- Oversee repair and construction projects, coordinating across vendors, supervising work and ensuring that all projects are seen through to completion with care and diligence
- Handle vehicle maintenance, registrations, and storage coordination
- Respond to after-hours emergencies, alarms, and weather events at all times
- Manage the Family’s off-site storage and support international shipments as needed
House Management
- Ensure the property is guest-ready at all times
- Prepare the house and gardens ahead of the Family's arrival, including stocking groceries and other supplies
- Provide high-touch, hands-on hospitality support and household assistance while the Family is in residence including assisting with hosting guests and large-group meetings
- Overseeing housekeepers and other cleaners as needed as well as handling mail and packages
- Manage household inventories and residential accounts such as utilities, subscriptions, deliveries, and similar vendors
- Serve as the point of contact for the ordering of various items for the family, including coordinating deliveries and shipments to the family wherever they are located
What We’re Looking For
- Minimum 5 years of experience in Property or House Management, ideally in a private residential or luxury hospitality setting (note: this is not a role for someone who has worked in property management overseeing apartment complexes)
- Strong hands-on maintenance and repair skills, with working knowledge of a range of building trades
- Highly independent and resourceful, comfortable operating with minimal oversight for extended stretches
- Strong vendor management and negotiation skills
- Excellent communication skills; comfortable coordinating across time zones
- Discreet, organized, and deeply respectful of Family privacy
- Able to shift fluidly between operational/property work and warm, attentive hospitality when the Family is present
- Proactive and anticipatory; a true "no job too big or small" attitude
- Valid driver's license, ability to work legally in the U.S., and ability to pass a thorough background check
- Must be willing to provide strong employment references
- Physically able to perform the demands of the role, including lifting, climbing, and working outdoors in all conditions
- A minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent
- Trade School, apprenticeship, or trades training preferred
Compensation & Benefits
- $150,000+ base salary, depending on experience
- Comprehensive benefits including health, vision, and dental stipend, disability insurance, retirement match, paid vacation and holidays, unlimited sick days, parental leave, discretionary bonus, work vehicle, and relocation stipend for out-of-area candidates
DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, dedicated to connecting exceptional Private Service Professionals with private clients and family offices across the United States. Built over more than a decade on referrals and repeat clients, we have grown thoughtfully by doing one thing well: finding the right person for the right home.
Every member of our recruiting team has worked personally in the homes of prominent private clients, as estate managers, private chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just understand private service in theory; we've navigated its nuances, its demands, and its deeply personal nature from the inside. That perspective shapes every search we conduct and every candidate we represent.
We encourage you to regularly explore our job board and apply for any roles that align with your experience and aspirations. When your background aligns with what our clients are looking for, we will be in touch. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon.
