View Vacancy - Residence Manager

The British Embassy, Washington DC is seeking to appoint a Residence Manager.  The successful candidate will lead a strong team based at the Residence (including the Head Chef, Housekeeper, Head Butler and Head Gardener). The primary responsibility is to ensure that the residence is maintained to the highest possible standard and that the services it provides to some 15,000 guests and visitors each year serve as a showcase for British Excellence. He or she will work closely with the Ambassador, the wife of the Ambassador, the Social Secretary, the Ambassador’s Private Offices and the Deputy Head of Mission’s team. 

Core hours are 8.30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although the job holder is sometimes required to work early mornings or late evenings for cocktail or dinner parties. Accommodation is provided.

This is a challenging position that requires excellent inter-personal and organisational skills, a strong customer focus and a strong team player.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Overall supervision of 18 staff with direct line management responsibility for the Head Chef, Housekeeper, Head Gardener and Head Butler
• Regular meetings with the Ambassador and Lady Darroch to ensure the efficient management of the Residence’s forward programme of events.
• Managing and supervising all commercial events including proposals, cost estimates, questions from sponsors, accounting, and payments
• Work with outside companies and individuals to ensure they fully understand and comply with Embassy guidance when organising events at the Residence.
• Monitoring the setup, execution and breakdown of all functions in the Residence
• Developing training programs and managing staff to ensure high quality of service to guests. Regular meetings with all staff to ensure duties are being carried out efficiently and effectively
• Manage Residence daily expenditures: separating and balancing the different expenses such as house, entertaining, travel and representational expenses.
• Compile an annual budget at the start of each financial year and monthly reports throughout the year monitoring of all Residence expenditure
• Management and supervision of routine house maintenance projects through the Embassy’s maintenance team.
• Full coordination, supervision and management of Residence renovation projects and building modifications.
• Work with the Embassy’s procurement team to ensure value for money in all Residence expenditure: seeking opportunities to make savings (e.g. in food and household purchases).
• Responsible for monitoring and control of Residence inventories.
• Maintaining data, with the help of the Social Secretary, on the number of people entertained and costing of events.
• Greeting VIP guests and providing assistance as needed
• Be capable of providing first response solutions to plumbing, electricity and IT needs.
• Managing all Residence Book sales and resulting accounting and fund distributions.
• Keeping up-to-date all archiving data associated with the Residence i.e. event photos, media articles and stories, etc.   Scanning, organizing, filing.

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in a similar environment with exposure to international dignitaries, officials and business leaders
• The ability to work independently and to react to situations which may arise without constant supervision
• A good knowledge of plumbing, electrical and information technology
• Must be proficient with Microsoft and Mac operating systems
• A good knowledge of accountancy, finance and reporting processes
• A knowledge of Butlers Duties and Silver Service
• A knowledge of the culinary and wine trade
• An interest in Horticulture would be an asset
• Possession of a driver’s license with a clean record
• A cheerful and welcoming manner with excellent communication skills

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or G visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than a G visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.com.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance. 

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.