1698690: Senior Head Butler for UHNW Family in Surrey, UK

A brilliant opportunity has become available for an experienced Senior/Head Butler to support an ultra-high-net-worth family at their Surrey residence.  Overseeing and working as part of a butler team in a fully staffed household, you will contribute to the smooth running of the household and take responsibility for the food and beverage service, so a proactive attitude and excellent communication skills are essential requirements for this role.
 
Duties will include the service of all meals and snacks throughout the day, liaising with the Chef daily to present the menu to the family, and dealing with any deliveries and returns. Meeting and greeting guests and providing an exceptional level of service, you will be well-presented, confident, and very personable, yet boundaried and respectful, as well as having excellent food and beverage knowledge.
An experienced Butler, you will be an energetic team player and ideally come from a 5-star hospitality background or have prior yachting experience.
 
Working 5 days per week, the shifts may vary depending on the family’s movements, so flexibility to work different shifts, including over weekends when needed, is required for this role. The role can be offered on a live-out or live-in basis, with accommodation provided in an en-suite bedroom within detached staff accommodation.
 
DUTIES TO INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Providing formal silver service, plated service and family-style service as appropriate
• Setting and dressing dining tables to an exceptional standard for daily meals, formal dinners and special occasions
• Preparing and serving tea, coffee, cocktails, wines and other beverages.
• Decanting and serving wines, Champagne and spirits using the correct service techniques.
• Coordinating meal service with the Chef and kitchen team to ensure perfect timing
• Greeting and serving guests with professionalism, discretion and warmth.
• Clearing, resetting and maintaining dining areas before, during and after service
• Managing pantry and butler’s pantry operations, ensuring they remain impeccably organised and fully stocked
• Maintaining silverware, crystal, fine china and table linens to the highest standard
• Polishing silver, glassware and cutlery.
• Preparing breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés and light refreshments as required
• Managing beverage inventories, ordering stock and maintaining wine cellars and bar areas
• Ensuring all service equipment is clean, polished and ready for use
• Anticipating the principals’ and guests’ preferences to provide intuitive, unobtrusive service.
• Training junior service staff and ensuring consistent service standards across the household.

 
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Prior Butler experience in a private residence or 5-star hotel, including formal service
• Outstanding food & beverage knowledge
• Polished and well-presented, boundaried and respectful
• Excellent attention to detail
• Energetic and hard-working
• Team player who enjoys working with different types of people
• Maintaining absolute discretion and confidentiality at all times
• Right to live and work in the UK
• Excellent, checkable references