We anticipate strong interest in this role and kindly ask that all candidates apply online rather than contacting us directly. We will carefully review each application and reach out to those whose experience aligns with the position.
Position: House Manager | Chef
Location: Portola Valley, CA (local candidates will be considered)
Compensation: $160,000++ per year | depending on experience
Ideal Start Date: Early June 2025
Our client in Portola Valley is seeking a polished, service-oriented House Manager | Chef to oversee the daily operations of their private residence and provide light culinary support when the principal is in town. This is a hands-on role requiring excellent judgment, strong organizational skills, and a proactive mindset. The right candidate will be equally comfortable managing renovations and coordinating vendors as they are preparing simple, nourishing meals and snacks.
The principal is typically in residence one week per month, and during that time, the role includes preparing light, fresh meals—such as breakfast, lunch, and easy dinners—along with snacks and coffee. When the principal is away, the focus shifts to household management, vendor oversight, and maintaining a high level of household readiness.
Schedule
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When principal is in residence (approx. one week per month): Early morning to evening coverage, with flexibility; no overnight duty expected
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When principal is away: Monday through Friday, roughly 9am–5pm, with flexibility for remote coordination or urgent matters
Key Responsibilities
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Maintain household readiness at all times, with careful attention to detail, cleanliness, and comfort
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Prepare simple, healthy meals and snacks during the principal’s visits, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients
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Manage all household vendors, contractors, and service providers, including for ongoing renovation projects
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Oversee household systems, utilities, and tech—troubleshooting or coordinating service as needed
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Coordinate travel-day logistics and provide support with packing, meals-to-go, and document prep
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Keep private spaces—such as the bedroom, office, and closet—tidy and organized; may occasionally make the bed or refresh linens
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Handle grocery sourcing, errands, and restocking of preferred household items
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Liaise with personal service providers (e.g., trainer, masseuse, barber) and manage their scheduling
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Maintain consistent communication with local and remote support teams
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Assist with intimate gatherings or dinners, managing planning, setup, and coordination
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Adjust cleaner schedules and vendor visits to accommodate the principal’s time in residence
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Always maintain discretion and uphold the highest standards of privacy and professionalism
Qualifications
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Minimum 5 years of experience supporting high-net-worth individuals or private households
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Culinary experience—formal or informal—with the ability to prepare simple, high-quality meals
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Familiarity with the SF Peninsula, especially Portola Valley, is strongly preferred
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Tech-savvy and comfortable managing smart home systems and general troubleshooting
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Discreet, personable, and grounded with a service-first approach
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Able to manage competing priorities with flexibility, calm, and attention to detail
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Authorized to work in the U.S. and currently based in the Bay Area
Compensation & Benefits
DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm based in Silicon Valley, California. We place highly skilled Private Service Professionals with private clients and family offices. While our roots are in Silicon Valley, our reach is nationwide, encompassing key markets such as Aspen, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Palm Beach, Silicon Valley, and Washington, DC.
You may know us as Domestic | Match and Private Chef | Match. After 12 years of expansion, we’ve evolved into the top choice for domestic staffing services. As our journey has unfolded, we’ve expanded beyond the constraints of our original brand, spreading our reach to encompass a broad spectrum of roles within the private estate and family office sectors.
What Makes Us Unique
Drawing upon over 70 years of collective expertise in private service, luxury hospitality, and yachting, DM Estate Staffing’s team boasts a deep understanding of the intimate relationship between private employers and their household staff. Our team’s personal experience in these roles fuels our continued passion and commitment to our recruitment efforts today. We approach our work with zeal and are dedicated to ensuring that clients and candidates alike discover the ideal match.
Please visit our Job Board to see our current openings!