View Vacancy - Head Butler (Maitre d’Hotel) (BEL168)

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 (Residence and Support Staff)
Residence Coordinator

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) diplomatic missions in Benelux are part of a world-wide network of over 200 Posts representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. Corporate Services Benelux (CSB), a joint service leading on operational support to the UK diplomatic missions in Brussels and Benelux, is now looking for a Head Butler who will contribute to the delivery of a five star service at the British Residence, responsible for all aspects of butler services in a large Residence.

The Residence is the entertaining platform for the UK Diplomatic Missions in Brussels. As such it is in constant use, often with a number of different events taking place at the same time. It regularly hosts overnight guests. You will be joining a high performing team used to dealing with short notice changes to plans for high level events. The team of 10 is one of a number of other operational teams that are part of Corporate Services Benelux (CSB), working for all of the UK diplomatic missions in Brussels. CSB supports and encourages continual learning and development, especially on the job.

You will be a confident and calm colleague who can help manage and develop a small team within a high profile, fast paced environment, and flexible even under pressure and discreet at all times.

Main responsibilities will include:

  • Lead on ensuring that guests are greeted and looked after to a high standard. This includes where necessary developing a knowledge about regular visitors’ history and understanding of their specific requirements;
  • Plan with the Residence and Deputy Residence Manager staffing requirements for each event or overnight guest, using the events diary for forward planning;
  • Deploy, instruct and supervise the junior Butlers; brief and supervise external/agency waiting staff when required;
  • Manage the wine cellar / stock control;
  • Manage the smooth service at events- seminars, receptions, breakfasts, lunches and dinners (this includes the set up of rooms; managing time & duties of staff, including agency; overseeing formal table setting; serving at events; choosing drinks for events- in consultation with the chefs where necessary; managing/contributing to clearing up; accounting for drinks stocks after each event);
  • Share the duty of serving drinks late at night when overnight guests arrive;
  • Monitor the small maintenance tasks of the fine rooms and guest bedrooms;
  • Other duties as required as a member of a small Residence team;
  • On occasion this may involve supporting a smaller residence set up separate from the main British Residence;
  • Report to the Deputy Residence Manager and assist her with the staff annual appraisals.
  • Good command of English and French;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, responsive to guests’ needs and able to treat others with respect and courtesy regardless of work pressures, being able to deliver a high standard of personal presentation;
  • Able to act with discretion at all times;
  • Able to work effectively and supportively with colleagues, both individually and in a team;
  • Flexibility to meet the demands of a fast moving, varied work schedule. Prepared to work additional hours in support of events hosted by the UK Missions;
  • Highly organised with excellent time management;
  • Sound knowledge of all aspects of Butler service, including Silver Service;
  • Experience of working in a similar environment- domestic residence or small luxury hotel;
  • Experience of supervising staff.
  • Fluency in spoken Dutch;
  • Good knowledge of wines would be an advantage.

28 May 2017
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Flexible working, Permanent
40
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
Brussels
British Embassy
EUR
3,024.50 gross
1 September 2017

This is a permanent full-time position, where you will be expected to work a maximum of 40 hours over a 7 day period. This will often be Monday to Friday but the nature of the work within this busy Residence means that you will be expected to demonstrate flexibility in your hours and timetable of work - often at short notice. This may include night and shift working, variable hours, weekend and bank holiday working. Time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted for additional hours worked at the discretion of the Residence Manager.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 3,024.50 gross A2 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation). Furthermore this post attracts a monthly meal allowance.

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.

If you are interested in this job opportunity you can choose whether you prefer to apply:

 - In English through the FCO Local Posts website, by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of this page or;

 - In French (sending CV + Cover Letter, explaining clearly the motivation, skills and experience you could bring to this role) to the following email address: clare.stewart@fco.gov.uk

 

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

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.