A Housemanager is required to lead a busy, and formally styled VIP household in Bahrain, to undertake House Manager and Butler duties, including hands-on tasks, such as overseeing proper food and drink service.
The House Manager will report directly to The Principals. It is important that the candidate is able to learn quickly, think on their feet, make decisions based on observation or discreet inquiry, so that they can accurately anticipate, obtain, and conduct timely, thoughtful, discreet delivery of service or presentation of anything needed.
Candidates must have excellent communication skills and should be able to read the mood of the people around them, so that they can adapt service delivery accordingly.
- A full-time position, 6 day week,
- Working in a busy environment when the family is in residence, and
- There is unlikely to be any international travel required, although the clients could amend this in due course.
Prerequisites include:
- Experience of working in a similar role, in a deluxe world renowned hotel, Royal or private household, super yacht or ambassadorial residence etc,
- Presentation of excellent checkable references,
- Passion and a love for your work,
- Immaculate in your presentation,
- An advanced understanding of the importance of Etiquette and Protocol, and what it means (and takes) to be working in service,
- Understanding the importance of discretion and confidentiality,
- Being self-motivated and capable of working with, or without, direction,
- Loyal and hard working,
- Familiar with creating and delivering the highest standards of service, and
- Able to work under pressure, a problem solver, unflappable and resilient (even in the face of adversity!)
SALARY
Circa US$ 75,000 DOE
TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD
Family, Professional / Philanthropist, Formal Household, City Based
PERKS
- Salary depending on experience
- Accommodation provided in Manama
- 6 days working week, 1 day off
- 4 weeks annual holiday
- 1 economy flight per year to home country
- Health & Travel Insurance / Benefits
- This is a super lovely family to work for / the clients are of European heritage
Roles and Responsibilities
Staff Related
- Supervising/guiding and nurturing the household staff, made up of different nationalities and faith
- Organising rosters
- Implementing training across departments as needed
- Overseeing staff hires and ensuring proper repatriation at end of contract
Contractor Related
- Managing contractors and third parties
- Overseeing works and projects
- Reviewing contracts, while ensuring proper delivery of services
- Ensuring The Principals are provided with progress reports, and aware of issue(s) and concern(s)
Butler Duties
- Meeting and greeting guests
- Able to advise staff on setting and preparing tables and dining rooms
- Overseeing staff with serving duties / training when required
- Room Settings: ensuring each room is correctly presented, with thought given to position of furniture, floral arrangements, room fragrances, candles and lighting arrangements / mood settings (picture lights and evening lighting scenes) etc
- To ensure the spotless presentation of The Principal's home (both hygienically and in a tidy, neat fashion)
Valeting & Wardrobe
- Maintaining The Principal’s wardrobe
- Wardrobe management, inventory, and organisation
- Ensuring the proper care and storage of the Principal's clothes and bespoke luggage
- Ensuring the proper care and storage of jewellery, including time pieces. Ensuring valuable pieces are put away and locked up when necessary
Miscellaneous
- Some PA duties might be asked, such as organising reservations/bookings etc.
- Supporting with the arrangements for ground transport
- Organise and manage lunch & dinner parties
- Supporting event planning, including invitations & guest list management
- Gift sourcing, purchase and wrapping and delivery
Accommodation
Self-contained accommodation, including all normal expat benefits
Eligibility
- At least 5yrs experience working in similar roles,
- Previous experience of working for UHNW families/ individuals in private homes, villas and/or in luxury hotels (such as Aman Resorts or Mandarin or 4 Seasons Hotels)
- Intuitive and highly organised
- Energetic and proactive, showing initiative and the ability to think on your feet
- Loyal, patient, flexible & calm (even when things are hotting up around you!)
- Good physical fitness
- Excellent communication skills
- Aware of the latest fashion trends (conservative, well-tailored, high quality fashion brands), ability to provide styling advice while staff are preparing wardrobes for international travel
- Able to order clothing and accessories, while developing relationships with the management teams of international fashion boutiques (and maintaining a black book of contacts)
- Work efficiently to make things happen in limited time frames
- Technology Savvy (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV)
- A passion for details, making sure all the necessary tasks are done to the highest standards
- Hands-on, calm, organised, flexible and hard-working
- Discreet, respectful, and diplomatic
- Sophisticated and immaculately presented both in and out of duty
- Impeccable valeting skills
- Experienced in delivering a thoughtful, discreet, and unobtrusive service
- Excellent English
- Happy to be based in The Middle East!
