We have filled this position with a Head Butler, and now looking for an additional person to support him.
A live in Butler is required on a Private Estate to work as part of a team in a full staffed household. A range of different accommodation options are available for single applicants or those with families/pets. This candidate will work under the management of the House Manager and Head Butler, and must be able to work as part of a team, be flexible with working days and hours and have a professional and happy disposition and enjoy working in a service role.
Ensuring the highest standards and a comfortable home environment are maintained, and a seamless, positive and professional service is provided at all times for the Principals, their family and guests.
Main duties and responsibilities
• Maintain a welcoming environment for family and friends, ensuring high standards are maintained.
• Carry luggage, packing and unpacking of guest suitcases.
• Serve refreshments and meals, as required, to the family and their guests in a professional and discrete manner.
• Setup table settings for official or private events/functions. Serve at table. Wash and clean tableware and linen after each dinner service. Storing all tableware as trained.
• Deliver and maintain high standards of cleanliness, undertaking daily cleaning routines. Support the housekeeping team when required.
• Care for silver, china, antiques and other specialist items within the private household. Undertake any training required in the care of antique furniture.
• Report all damages/breakages to the House Manager.
• Ensure fires are cleaning daily, are laid and lit, and to provide adequate logs and kindling.
• In conjunction with the housekeeping team, open and arrange blinds, curtains and shutters and close at the end of the day. Ensure the household security protocols are followed for opening and closing the shutters when the family is not in residence.
• Assist with moving furniture and hanging pictures when required and as trained.
• Keep shoes and boots clean and polished.
• Maintaining the family vehicles (and bicycles) in an immaculate manner; valeting; arranging servicing; and undertaking minor vehicle maintenance (checking tyre pressures, tyre wear, oil and water levels etc.).
• Occasional driving of family and guests.
• Help with family dogs, including appointments, grooming, walking and feeding.
• Collect post and parcels
• Ensure the up-keep of outdoor equipment (i.e. garden furniture) and the maintenance of the children’s play equipment.
Other
• Checking and reporting any defects or concerns in your working area to the House Manager immediately.
• Provide cover for event coordination and client liaison in the absence of the House Manager.
• Maintain a high level of security and privacy within the private household. Understand and comply with all security and emergency procedures.
• To be a member of the Attend salvage meetings when required.
• To work as an effective team member within the private household and other relevant teams, including housekeeping, kitchen, Household Office, floristry, etc.
• To chaperone and support with external visitors and contractors as required.
• To work at other locations, when required.
Other duties may be required in line with the current and future needs of the business/family and a flexible attitude is essential.
Personal skills and abilities:
• Proven relevant experience as a Butler in a private household or extensive front of house service in hospitality meeting and looking after guests.
• A range of service experience, including Butler, silver, tray, bar cellar management of fine wines and spirits.
• Professionalism, discretion and confidentiality at all times
• A flexible attitude to work and a proven ability to work under pressure. The post holder must be willing to work longer hours, evenings and weekends as required by the needs of the household.
• A willingness and flexibility to support ad-hoc requests in the property and for the Family.
• Ability to work on own initiative and also as part of a team.
• Excellent customer service skills with a genuine passion for creating an exceptional experience.
• A high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated by the ability to build team relationships effectively.
• Excellent standards of personal presentation.
• A full and valid UK driving licence.
• A clear enhanced DBS check
This role involves intimate access to the private home and lives of the family. The need for high integrity and complete trust cannot be overstated as an essential personal attribute and personal value of the candidate. The role will have extremely busy periods when the family are entertaining, followed by quieter periods when the family are away, therefore workload and working time will vary.
Accommodation is provided on the Estate and can be made suitable for the individuals needs (eg family members, children and pets are all considered). The candidate does not pay rent on the property but must pay bills. A generous salary is offered for this role.
There will be 1st and 2nd interviews initially over video, then an in person meeting followed by a trial before offering the role. The candidate must be a driver and own car is advised due to the rural location and needing it to get to and from work each day.
If you are interested, please e mail ella@sugarellacooks.co.uk with your CV.