View Vacancy - AUS (Canberra) - Residence Manager, EO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Protocol, Visits and Events

Main purpose of job:

  • The British High Commissioner’s Residence (the Residence) is a substantial and elegant property which serves three overlapping functions: it is home to the British High Commissioner; it is the main representational property in the UK in Australia Network, used for representational activity most days of the year; and it provides accommodation for official visitors. It supports the work of the British Diplomatic Network in Australia in furthering UK government interests and policy objectives, building and maintaining a network of senior and influential contacts and showcasing the UK.  It is used to host a wide range of events for top level government politicians, business people, cultural leaders and others, delivering in a wide range of formats from small dinners through to the annual National Day reception with hundreds of guests.  
  • The Residence Manager has overall responsibility for ensuring that the Residence and its garden are maintained, and that the events and services it provides to the High Commissioner, guests and visitors are delivered to the highest possible standard.  The successful candidate will lead and supervise a small but highly capable team of Residence staff, and work closely with the High Commissioner, family and with other colleagues, including the Executive Office, Events, Security, Finance and Estates management teams.  
  • This is a demanding but rewarding position that requires excellent inter-personal and organisational skills, great team work and strong customer focus.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

The core of the role is to ensure the smooth running of the Residence both as a venue for official events (meals, receptions, meetings, etc) and as a family home, delivering to the highest standards of efficiency, sustainability, accuracy and value for money.

Residence Management

  • Ensure effective delivery and maintenance of all Residence property and services, including management of the cellar and inventories of silverware, glassware, crockery, linen, Government Art Collection, furniture, and domestic equipment.
  • Ensure the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene and presentation at all times. 
  • Ensure the Residence and grounds are kept in optimal repair: identify and report repair/improvement work, oversee repairs and maintenance jobs for the Residence and grounds, and liaise with Corporate Services, and the High Commissioner/spouse to ensure contractor access to the Residence at convenient times.
  • Manage relevant accounts and purchasing for the Residence, including supplier liaison, quote management, etc, and monitor Residence expenditure, including accounting for pre-approved credit card expenditure in a timely manner.
  • Liaise with the security guards and security team to ensure effective security of the Residence and grounds is maintained at all times.

Events

  • Responsible for oversight, preparation and delivery of official events at the High Commissioner’s Residence, in close consultation with the High Commissioner and their spouse, the Events team and other relevant High Commission colleagues.  This includes but is not limited to, planning table and flower arrangements, room layout, hiring equipment (eg marquee, audio visual, lighting, heating), and hiring casual event staff, who work under the Residence Manager’s supervision including set-up, silver service where appropriate, and post-event clear up and cleaning.
  • In conjunction with the relevant High Commission colleagues, ensure the Residence and all events comply with all necessary Health and Safety rules, including the latest Covid and wider Embassy guidance.  Work with outside companies and individuals to ensure they fully understand and comply with such rules and guidance.
  • Co-ordinate arrangements for all official visitors staying at the Residence, ensuring that rooms are prepared for overnight guests, and the highest levels of service are provided, and that all visitors receive a warm welcome and are made to feel comfortable and at home. 
  • Purchase supplies for events according to FCDO procurement guidance, and purchase and manage stocks for the Residence (eg cleaning items, fuel, pantry stocks), ensuring value for money.  Work with the chef to ensure stocks and supplies are regularly reviewed, and supervise deliveries where needed.

Resources/Staffing

  • Lead and manage a team of 3 Residence staff (Butler, Chef and Domestic Assistant), and when required casual event staff, providing support and direction as necessary.  Ensure that the Residence staff receive adequate and regular training to undertake their duties.  Manage their performance and complete annual appraisals on time and to prescribed standards.
  • Ensure effective deployment of staff resources, clear forward planning, and flexible delivery in line with operational requirements, including management of TOIL (avoid accumulation).
  • The Residence Manager will be expected to undertake other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and core competencies of the job.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

3x staff (Butler, Chef and Domestic Assistant)


Essential on arrival:  

  • Proficient user in both written and spoken English;
  • Experience in running and working in a diplomatic residence, or hotel or restaurant setting, including silver service or private residence with a strong customer focus and focus on excellence, as well as financial and personnel resource management.
  • Confident, discreet, trustworthy, adaptable self-starter able to work effectively without supervision.
  • Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills: someone who can negotiate effectively (including with external stakeholders) and deliver under pressure, always treating others with respect.
  • Proven people management skills, capable of leading a team
  • Ability and desire to demonstrate high standards, proactivity, effective prioritisation, and a strong attention to detail.
  • Flexibility in terms of working hours and duties – be prepared to work additional hours in support of events, including evenings and occasional weekends.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including understanding the importance of consulting and informing others
  • Good knowledge of F&B industry would be an advantage.
  • A thorough knowledge and understanding of protocol issues would be extremely advantageous. The Residence receives high profile political and business personalities, and occasionally senior civil servants and members of parliament.
  • Full driving licence
  • IT, in particular MS Excel, and multimedia skills and keenness to innovate in use of IT to support Residence Management
Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
13 November 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
24 months
Asia Pacific
Australia
Canberra
British High Commission
1
AUD
AUD  77,739
9 February 2023

This role advertised is a Full-Time, Fixed-Term of 24 months.

Salary is at AU$ 77,739 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 11% superannuation.

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCO Diplomatic Academy. There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British High Commission activities. The British High Commission is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.

The High Commission promotes a flexible working culture. This is a busy, full-time job; but there is scope for flexibility in terms of how it is done – including the option to work a day a week from home.  Although we aim to avoid it, work outside of core hours may sometimes be required. There is also the opportunity for some regional travel.

The British High Commission is a dynamic, supportive environment and there will be opportunities to be involved in the wider work of the mission.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law.

The British Government supports flexible working practices. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses.

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”

Applications must include a current CV and kindly omit any personal information such as Name, Contact Details, Birthday and Gender.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

Reminder: Notifications about interviews and the conduct of interview may be subject to change. Please note that given the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 candidates must be prepared to be interviewed via VTC.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.