Job Description
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About the Role
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Title: House Manager / Private Chef, Private Family Office
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Location: Des Moines area, Iowa (on site)
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Employment type: Full-time
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Compensation: $145,000 to $170,000 base salary DOE
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Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., plus occasional evening and weekend events
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Reports to: Head of Family Office
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A private family office is looking for an experienced House Manager / Private Chef to run the inside of the Principal's primary residence and prepare his meals. This is one trusted person in the home who keeps the household running smoothly, sets the standards that other staff follow, and has a warm, healthy dinner ready each weeknight. The Principal values privacy, quiet and efficiency. Scheduling and administration stay with his executive team, so this role is hands-on: running the house, cooking, and taking care of the physical tasks that keep his days easy.
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Responsibilities
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House Management
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- Run the day-to-day operation of the inside of the primary residence: household standards, supplies, inventory, deliveries, mail and packages, in coordination with the administrative team.
- Prepare any building on the property used for hosting, such as the event space or guest cottages, so it is cleaned and stocked beforehand, either directly or by directing the housekeeper.
- Supervise the household staff (a housekeeper and a cleaner), setting schedules, standards and quality checks.
- Create and maintain the household manual, reference guides and SOPs for each residence, including standard product lists, vendor contacts and routines. This is the first major project in the role.
- Keep household standards and products consistent across all of the Principal's residences, including international residences, working with the on-site staff there.
- Prepare the lake residence before each visit by directing local household support to have the home ready and groceries stocked.
- Work with the facilities team: the House Manager owns the inside of the home, and Facilities owns the exterior, building systems and technology.
- Handle hands-on personal tasks such as mail, packages and local errands, and anticipate needs such as firewood, flowers for a dinner and produce from the home garden.
- Coordinate holiday and seasonal decorating.
- Keep the home stocked, organized and guest-ready, prioritizing organic, local and sustainable products.
- Serve as the main point of contact for household vendors inside the home.
- Set up seasonal opening and closing checklists for each residence.
- Manage the household budget, track expenses and provide a monthly expense report.
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Private Chef
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- Plan a weekly menu for approval and adjust it based on the Principal's feedback.
- Shop for healthy ingredients, choosing fresh, seasonal, local and organic options whenever possible.
- Prepare a warm dinner Monday to Friday, ready at about 5:30 p.m., with portions that cover lunch the next day and a weekly breakfast bake.
- Follow a documented allergy and dietary protocol without exception.
- Cook for smaller gatherings and coordinate caterers for larger events at the residence.
- Keep the kitchen clean, organized and well stocked, with sound food safety, storage and rotation.
- Over time, plan, plant and maintain a kitchen garden and bring homegrown produce into weekly menus.
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Qualifications
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- 7+ years of experience as a house manager in a private household or estate.
- Must be on site at the primary residence five days a week, Monday to Friday.
- Legally authorized to work in the United States.
- A proven record of creating household manuals, reference guides and SOPs.
- Experience supervising household staff, managing vendors and keeping household budgets and inventories.
- Strong culinary skills in healthy, lighter cooking with more fish than meat, built around fresh, seasonal, organic and local ingredients.
- Experience cooking safely to a strict allergy protocol.
- Absolute discretion and confidentiality, with a calm, low-key presence in a private home.
- Ability to work independently and anticipate needs before they are raised.
- A valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle.
- Willingness to complete a background check and sign a confidentiality agreement.
- Available to work on holidays when the Principal hosts family or friends.
- Preferred: experience in a combined house manager and private chef role, overseeing standards across multiple residences, culinary training, ServSafe or food handler certification, and kitchen garden experience.
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Required Skills
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- Strong culinary skills in healthy, lighter cooking with more fish than meat, built around fresh, seasonal, organic and local ingredients.
- Experience cooking safely to a strict allergy protocol.
- Experience supervising household staff, managing vendors and keeping household budgets and inventories.
- Ability to work independently and anticipate needs before they are raised.
- Absolute discretion and confidentiality, with a calm, low-key presence in a private home.
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Preferred Skills
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- Experience in a combined house manager and private chef role.
- Experience overseeing standards across multiple residences.
- Culinary training.
- ServSafe or food handler certification.
- Kitchen garden experience.
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Pay range and compensation package
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- $145,000 to $170,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus a 10% target bonus.
- Medical, dental and vision coverage, with the employer paying most of the premium.
- Health savings account with an employer contribution, plus health care and dependent care FSAs.
- Employer-paid life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
- 401(k) with an employer match.
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