View Vacancy - Residence Butler/Maitre d'Hotel British Ambassador's Residence in Athens (GRC21.440)

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)
Butler

The British Embassy in Athens is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Butler/Maitre d'Hotel 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 Ambassador and UK Diplomatic Mission in Athens. As such it is in constant use, often with a number of different events taking place at the same time. It is one of the busiest Residences in UK’s overseas diplomatic network and regularly hosts high profile and senior guests. You will be joining a busy and high performing team used to dealing with short notice changes to plans for high level events. The team of 9 is one of a number of other operational teams that are part of the British Embassy in Athens.  

You will be a confident, calm and authoritative 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.

Roles and responsibilies

  • Manage the service at events- seminars, receptions, breakfasts, lunches and dinners (this includes the set up of rooms; managing time & duties of staff; overseeing formal table setting; serving at events; choosing drinks for events; accounting for drinks stocks after each event)
  • Oversee and deploy, instruct and supervise the stewards and service and housekeeping staff; engage, brief and supervise external waiting staff when required
  • 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
  • Manage the wine cellar / stock control
  • Monitor the small maintenance tasks of the fine rooms and guest bedrooms
  • Report to the Residence Manager and assist her with the staff annual appraisals
  • Other duties as required as a member of a small Residence team






  •        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
  •       min.10 years experience in a similar position as Maitre/Maitresse d'Hotel in a high class restaurant or small luxury hotel
  •      Fluency in oral and written English and a good level of Greek language skills ( minimum C1 level for English and minimum B2 for Greek according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages *)
  • Flexibility to meet the demands of a fast moving, varied work schedule. Prepared to work additional hours in support of events hosted by the Mission
  • Highly organised with excellent time management
  • Sound knowledge of all aspects of Butler service, including Silver Service
  • Experience of working in a similar environment- large domestic residence, small luxury hotel or top restaurant;
  • Experience of managing, developing and training staff.



  • Good knowledge of wines
  • Etiquette
19 October 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Greece
Athens
British Embassy
1
EUR
1803.31
15 November 2021

This is a full-time, permanent position of 40 hours per week .

The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, 24 days annual leave entitlement (given pro-rata to staff on fixed-term contracts and/or staff working part-time), a training package and flexible working opportunities. Monthly salary for this position is EUR € 1803.31 currently payable 14 times a year (as per Greek labour law). An individual personal development plan will be agreed with the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background and security clearance. Anyone with right of residence and employment in Greece may apply, including all EU / EEA citizens and the family members of EU / EEA nationals exercising a treaty right in Greece.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to terms and conditions service according to Greek employment law. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Greece and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Additional Information (due to Covid-19):

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;

  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

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.