Butler
Butlers
Unless there is a House Manager or Executive Housekeeper, the Butler oversees the day-to-day operation of the house and estate along with any maintenance projects as necessary.
For a Butler working within a private household, duties will be wide ranging depending on the individual needs of the client and whether there is a family to consider too.
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Butler Duties
Supervises other employees including responsibilities for hiring and firing and performance reviews.
Meeting and greeting guests at functions along with making reservations for dinner and theatre trips.
Caring for the clothes and shoes of the client; ensures laundry and dry cleaning is collected in a timely manner. Assists with evening dress as appropriate.
Takes care of the wine cellar as appropriate; checking stock levels, choosing of wines for dinner parties.
Assists with formal table service at dinner along with drinks service. Maybe responsible for floral displays and table decorations.
Deals with all security arrangements necessary to keep the employer and family safe. Manages security alarms.
driving duties as and when required.
keeps household accounts. Deals with tradesmen/contractors. Carries out any other task the employer may reasonably ask. In a smaller household, the Butler may be asked to prepare breakfasts and suppers on occasion.
A selection of Butler job opportunities throughout the UK.
Skills Required for a Butler
Collaboration
Whilst there are formal qualifications that a Butler can have, experience is the biggest asset a Butler can have. Normally experience will come first from positions held within the hospitality and concierge sectors.
Flexibility
Flexibility is a must as the demands from the client may change day to day. Some households may have second homes you may move between, seasonally.
Discretion
Discretion is essential as a Butler may be subject to personal information about both family and guests.
Driving License
We would expect a Butler to have a full, clean driving licence and be able to drive the household vehicles.
Butlers can be paid between £55K and £65K in the UK, depending on experience and location – this would be for a live-in role. If the Butler was to live off-site, the average salary would be £65K to £70K
Most Butlers would be expected to work either five or six days a week including weekends, but should be flexible depending on the client’s requirements, particularly if the client is not in residence at all times.
Holidays and days off could be weekends or in the week depending on the household.
If you are considering a career as a Butler or you are looking for your next move, take a look through our currently advertised roles.
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Frequently Asked Questions.
Some of our commonly asked questions regarding the butler position. If you have queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 3033 0000 or Mail@MasseysAgency.co.uk.
Do your candidates come with a DBS?
We don’t automatically undertake a DBS for every candidate that registers with us as sometimes candidates may find their own jobs and only stay on our books for a short while. However if a client employs someone who we introduce and who does not have a current DBS but is required to have one for the position, then we are happy to do this for you.
What locations do you cover?
We are able to supply staff across the whole of the UK, including Scotland and Ireland. We also cover International positions.
Do you have any upfront costs?
No, we provide a free service for candidates who are looking for work and we only invoice clients if they employ a candidate who we have introduced to them.
Do you provide temporary staff?
Unfortunately we do not provide staff for short term assignments, however we do accept some contracts for a minimum of three months upwards.
Can I register with you?
We absolutely love hearing from candidates with good, relevant experience in private households. Unfortunately without previous experience it is unlikely we will be able to help you but we are always happy to advise. Chauffeurs must have previous experience of working as a private chauffeur and not purely in chauffeur services or taxi driving.
How long will it take to fill my vacancy?
A vacancy could be filled within a matter of days or it could take longer. The timescale depends on which candidates are registered at the time of you giving us your vacancy, and whether they match your requirements. We will never just send a CV for the sake of it or to ‘make up the numbers’.
Will I be able to trial the candidates?
We are happy to organise short trials wherever possible, however you need to bear in mind that it might not always be possible if a candidate is in a full time job. In order to address the fact that very occasionally things may not always go to plan, we offer a rebate/replacement period for your peace of mind.
What qualities should a good butler possess?
The demands on a modern butler should not be underestimated. Although responsibilities will vary within individual households, there are a number of defining qualities that will not vary. Being able to emulate the swan, calm and serene on the surface, paddling furiously below, is one quality! A butler will need infinite amounts of patience and a cool head, whilst efficiently multi-tasking behind the scenes. A good butler will be able to effectively manage people and have excellent communication skills at all levels, they will need an adaptable nature. Discretion and the ability to operate in an unobtrusive manner are also important as is attention to detail across all areas of the household.
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