House Manager

**House Manager / Butler for a Private Estate in Noordhoek, South Africa - R60,000 per month DOE**

**Role: House Manager / Butler**
**Location: Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa**
**Days : Monday - Friday, 24/7 on call, when principals are in residence**
**Salary: R50,000 - R60,000 per month**
**Accommodation: Separate cottage is provided**
**Start: ASAP**

We are looking for a brilliant full-time House Manager / Butler to join a team of staff within a private estate in Noordhoek, Cape Town, South Africa. You will be a hands-on House Manager/Butler and be the principal’s right-hand representative to work in synergy with the current two housekeepers, Estate staff and Financial Manager. This is a live-in position.

The Manor house has an Accounts Manager, Head Gardener, Assistant Head Gardener, Maintenance Engineer, Stables' Manager and a Chef. Butler, Stables' Manager and Chef all are housed in cottages on property.

**Required skills**:

- Have a proven record as a house manager / butler with impeccable references
- Honesty in all matters is integral in this role
- Household maintenance - identifying snags, repairs and or structural compromises and be able to obtain quotes that are competitive
- Excellent English language communication skills.
- Excellent managerial and supervision skills.
- Working with a professional chef and enquiring about food to be served in order to prepare table settings.
- Formal table settings for evening meals. Meals can be served in many areas on the property. Each location has extensive tableware in situ
- Must be able to supervise and participate at daily household chores, devise schedules for self and staff.
- Attend and supervise the laundry as well as taking care of delicate fabrics
- Maintenance of silverware, dinnerware and antique furniture is key.
- Must be able to set a formal table for dinner. Must be able to scale up dinner service and also prepare for events on site. Must be well versed in Silver Service
- Must be able to maintain budgets and expenditure. Proper record keeping is essential. Accounts are due at the end of each month.
- The ability to source and vet contractors and or suppliers is key in conjunction with Head Gardener
- Being able to take one's initiative and plan in advance for household events and guests. Paramount, is employers' needs.
- Being able to work without supervision is paramount especially when employers are not in residence.
- Making travel arrangements for family members, luncheon reservations
- A love for animals, especially dogs, is essential and being part of their maintenance and making sure they are compliant with certificates for travel and their vaccinations is key.
- Good general appearance, very clean and well-mannered.
- Having said this they need to manage and lead in their position.
- Will be required to attend meetings of all senior staff.
- A keen eye for details and a good capacity to adapt to any request or situation.
- Resilient to stress and able to handle requests in a professional and efficient manner.
- Understands concepts of privacy and confidentiality, being 'invisible' and is available.
- Must have a current driver's license and must be able to drive luxury vehicles.
- Management and attendance of in-house guests residing on the estate.
- Attention to detail with regard to execution of duties.
- Every Friday afternoon, a detailed weekly report of status of projects during the Winter Season to the principals This must include photos as required.

**Other key essential qualities**:

- Be able to get 'stuck in' if necessary. For instance, if you are short staffed and a bed needs to be made or a bathroom cleaned, then it something you should be able to do
- Adaptability as plans of Employers could change within a very short period of time
- Understanding the needs of the employers and making sure that you almost preempt the need to be told to do certain things. Basically, see areas before Employers do.
- Taking your own initiative
- Have 5+ years' experience working as a Butler/ House Manager
- Be eligible to work in South Africa
- Full clean driving licence
- Possess an excellent command of the English Language
- Have excellent contactable references
- Willing to have an enhanced background check completed

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: R50,000.00 - R60,000.00 per month