House Manager / Butler | Between Salisbury & Shaftesbury, UK

House Manager/Butler

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly experienced House Manager/Butler to lead a fully staffed household on a substantial country estate near Salisbury, Wiltshire. The role involves managing all aspects of the principals’ and their family’s home, as well as overseeing service on the estate, which includes multiple buildings and properties.

The estate hosts private and commercial shoots approximately 40 days a year, and the residence is primarily used during weekends and school holidays.

Job duties:
Responsibilities of the House Manager and Butler in Wiltshire include:

• Oversee the entire household, including the management of two gardeners, and ensure the smooth operation of the estate
• Recruit, retain, and train staff (both temporary and long-term), create staff rotas, and hire additional staff for commercial shoots and large family events
• Lead the service of all meals, from casual family breakfasts to formal dinners, shoot lunches, BBQs, and afternoon teas
• Collaborate with the Estate Manager and Chief of Staff on house maintenance, preventative maintenance, and fault reporting
• Update household manuals and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Manage guest visits, including meeting and greeting guests, maintaining records of visits and special requirements, and liaising with visiting guest PAs
• Handle valeting for the principal, packing and unpacking, and maintaining inventories and purchasing
• Coordinate all aspects of private and commercial shoots on the estate, including working with the Estate Manager on logistics
• Care for the family’s two Cocker Spaniels, manage household accounting, run errands, and drive when necessary

Candidates must be/have:

• High level of service experience and eye for aesthetics, ideally gained from working in luxury hotels or similar environments
• Strong work ethic, discipline, and an understanding of formal environments and the chain of command
• Experience in household management and team leadership, with the ability to manage a large, fully staffed household
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build and maintain professional relationships with all stakeholders
• Exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure
• Flexibility to adapt to changing situations and the ability to remain formal in an informal family setting
• Physical fitness and the stamina to perform duties requiring long periods of standing, often in formal wear
• Experience with formal butler service, including table setting, serving, and knowledge of cigars and wines
• Knowledge of cigars, fine wines, and food pairing
• A shotgun certificate or the capability to acquire one

Accommodation
Accommodation is not currently included, so the House Manager/Butler would be expected to relocate and live within a commutable distance of the estate.

A sizeable contribution towards rent for accommodation in the area will be provided for the right person.

Hours
Full-time and dependent on the Principal’s schedule.

Five days to typically include one weekend day.

The family spends over two months a year travelling and resides in London during the week.

Location
Between Salisbury and Shaftesbury, UK.

Salary
£65,000.

+ sizeable contribution towards rent for accommodation (see above).

Job ref
CP699: House Manager for Private Estate between Salisbury and Shaftesbury.