There really has never been a better time to become a Butler. Truly in-demand, a career as a Butler offers the opportunity to work all over the world and will guarantee that each day will be varied and different from the last.
The role of a Butler is certainly an iconic and enduring figure and the great news is that the Butler profession is open to everyone, regardless of background, nationality or gender.
Indeed, in recent years this highly trusted manservant role is just as likely to be female as it is male, with even Buckingham Palace announcing as far back as 2004 that it was actively recruiting females for the position for the first time.
Highly prized, female Butlers are able to fill many exciting opportunities often with an employer who feels more comfortable with a female in charge of their household or with the many middle eastern clients who for cultural reasons prefer a female Butler.
Depending on the size of the household and principals' requirements, your role and responsibilities as Butler may vary. In a large fully staffed household for example, you may be one of many Butlers or staff members where you will each have specific duties to undertake as part of the wider team. In contrast to smaller residences where you may be the sole Butler and may be required to take on a wider variety of tasks, which would normally be assumed by a House Manager, Valet or Personal Assistant such as household budgeting and ordering, assisting with personal care and booking of travel and restaurants.
So, what will you be doing on a daily basis as a Female Butler?
Your day-to-day duties may include:
organising parties and events
performing light housekeeping duties
table setting and serving food and drinks
liaising with the Chef to print menu’s for the table
chauffeur duties and running errands
looking after guests
wine cellar management
creating and maintaining inventories of wine, cutlery etc
re-ordering of items associated with service. Ie. petit fours, speciality tea’s
flower presentation and design
care of specialist items such as silver and crystal ware
valeting such as clothing and shoe care
Ultimately, apart from managing the standard duties of a Butler the primary role is to ensure that everything is running smoothly so that the employer doesn't need to think about a thing.
So, what skills, attributes and qualifications are required?
You'll need:
the ability to anticipate other people's needs
to be presentable & professional
to have high levels of integrity
excellent communication, organisational and management skills (if managing a team of Butlers/service staff)
an ability to multi-task
to be service-oriented with a genuine desire to serve others
to be calm under pressure
to have excellent attention to detail
to be trustworthy
to be reliable
to be discreet
to be proactive and anticipatory
an understanding of social etiquette and forms of address
There are no specific qualifications needed to become a Butler however, to maximise earning potential it is possible to seek formal Butler training, otherwise a qualification or relevant experience in any skills that are relevant will improve your employment chances.
Being able to speak a second language will also be helpful as will a full, clean driving licence.
What about hours and salary?
Your working hours will very much depend on the requirements of your employer, however Butlers are expected to work long hours including evenings and weekends.
Salary is usually based on a number of components such as location, whether the position is live-in or live out, duties required, responsibilities and hours expected, plus your experience and training.
A Butler usually earns a salary between £26,000 - £45,000 plus benefits. Accommodation and board can be considered part of the salary package and benefits can sometimes include additional perks such as a car, mobile and a yearly airline ticket home. It is however important to note that salary and remuneration packages differ from household to household and client to client, so it is always worth discussing this with your consultant.
To find out more information about the types of Female Butler roles we offer, contact Jules le Roux by emailing jules@greycoatlumleys.co.uk or call the office on 02072339950.
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