Operations Manager
Open to candidates nationwide; must be willing to relocate to Santa Barbara
About the Role
Our client, based primarily in Santa Barbara with regular time in New York City, is seeking a hands-on, highly capable Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of two private residences. This is a leadership role for someone who brings precision, sound judgment, and genuine initiative to keeping a household running smoothly; who doesn't need to be told what to do next, but is also responsive to direction and ideas from the client.
Just as important as the independence this role requires is the partnership behind it. The client is closely involved in how his homes are run and wants an Operations Manager who works alongside him, not around him. That means learning his preferences in real depth, listening closely to feedback, and adjusting quickly and thoughtfully based on it. The right person will keep him genuinely informed and engaged, making sure he is aware in detail of how things are being handled and what's coming next.
The Homes
The role spans two properties: a coastal residence in the Santa Barbara area and a large, multi-level home in New York City. Both are well-appointed and supported by vendor teams, gardeners, cleaners, and other specialists, which may expand as needs evolve, and both require consistent attention to stay in top condition given their scale and setting.
What You'll Do
- Oversee daily operations, maintenance, and provisioning at both properties, from routine walk-throughs to coordinating vendors and tradespeople
- Anticipate needs before they arise, keeping both homes stocked, fresh, and ready for the client's arrival at any time | on short notice
- Build and maintain relationships with vendors and service providers, gradually taking on more ownership of those relationships as trust develops
- Track open items and project status through clear, organized written updates
- Exercise independent judgment on day-to-day decisions, including knowing when a decision point requires client communication.
- Coordinate light entertaining support as needed (occasional gatherings, cocktail events), though this is not a primary focus of the role
- Travel between Santa Barbara and New York as needed to support both properties
- Document processes and preferences as you learn them, building toward a working operations reference for the household over time as well as project-specific portfolios
- Be available and on-call for emergencies after hours and on weekends
What We're Looking For
- A minimum of 5+ years of experience in estate management, operations management, or a similarly structured household or hospitality leadership role or motivated highly intelligent individual with parallel experience in another domain
- Sharp, detail-oriented, and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple moving pieces without dropping details
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfortable providing clear, thorough status updates
- A self-starter who can work independently and make sound judgment calls, while knowing when to loop in the client
- Honest and direct, someone who discloses issues proactively rather than minimizing or covering them
- Willing to be hands-on and learn the specifics of each property, from the practical to the highly personal
- Genuinely interested in learning the operational components of the environments as well as the client’s process and communication preferences, with a motivation to improve functional and managerial skills over time
- High discretion and respect for the client's privacy and routines
- Based in or willing to relocate to the Santa Barbara area, with flexibility to travel to New York regularly
- Legally authorized to work in the United States
- Able to undergo a detailed background check and provide excellent employment references
Compensation and Benefits
- $175,000+ base salary | depending on experience
- Full benefits including:
- Healthcare support for employee (100% paid)
- 20 PTO days
- 9 paid holidays
- Access to a CalSavers retirement plan
- Relocation support provided
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.
