Personal Assistant to Insane CEO

“A Butler typically: Oversees the household staff usually of one residence. Understands concepts like being anticipatory, friendly not familiar, privacy and confidentiality, invisible and available. Answers residence phone, receives guests at the door and supervises the reception of visitors. Assists with staff training and organizes the duties and schedule of domestic staff. May assist or be charged with keeping the household budgets and inventory supplies. May schedule and oversee vendors of contracted services. May assist with household and family security measures. Oversees family packing and travel preparations. Understands social etiquette and formal service. Assists with planning and organizing parties and events in the home. Oversees and participates in proper table settings and entertainment prep. Serves meals and drinks and performs wait services related thereto. Knowledgeable about wines and spirits and oversees the wine cellar and liqueur inventory. May also serve as personal valet to the household and/or gentleman of the house. Performs housekeeping duties. Coordinates with other staff as needed as well as with other parts of the employer’s organization.” Other functions and skills may include: -Cleaning and maintenance-Care of clothing.-Care of fine china, silver, crystal.-Care and inventory of artwork and antiques.-Maintenance of automobiles.-Security of their employer and residence.-Co-ordination and scheduling of service contractors.

As you can see, the all-around skills required of the Butler or House Manager are very similar to the Estate Manager. One main difference, however, is the level of “hands-on” involvement that is commonly present in the role. In the Butler/HM position, one may perform the service tasks themselves in addition to delegating to other staff. An HM or Butler can usually be relied upon to fill in for sick or absent staff at a moment’s notice, or regularly support various other full time employees with their daily functions. For example, a House Manager may assist with clothing care or a Butler with laundry or formal table service (This is often part of the Butler role). In residences with both an Estate Manager and HM/Butler, the two will work like a President and Vice President, administrating to the rest of the staff. It has recently become common for a House Manager to cook family style meals on a regular basis in smaller homes that require less overall care and can’t justify a full-time chef.

It is also worth noting that in some households the title of Butler still has a certain old world connotation. The very formal service standards of a Royal Palace or traditional British culture are upheld in some US homes today. In these instances, again, the final job description rests within the wishes of the one being served, and the all-around skills of the employee should be compatible with the expected demands of the employer.

Qualification Similar to the Estate Manager, the House Manager has a very broad range of skills and knowledge. Backgrounds range from Hotel and Restaurant Management to formal Butler school training. Others simply “fall” into the field by helping out a friend of the family at their home or crossing over from an assistant or nanny position. Many homes require only part-time help to ease the burden of the owners’ busy schedules, but most families quickly realize the value of having a full-time person. Like all positions, the family’s service needs and property size will dictate the duties and level of formality for the Butler/House Manager. Useful traits include: -Office or restaurant management and service skills. (More formal background or schooling depending on the household.)-Broad knowledge of household items and their care.-Good social skills and personnel management.-Business and technology capability including computers and accounting.-Leadership and motivation skills.-Independent and team project management.-Problem solving and “get it done” attitude. Very “hands-on” and ready to pitch in.-Very resourceful, quickly learns the how and where to get things done in the local area.-Negotiating and supervisory skills for outside contractors and other staff.

Again, the right person for the job will be adaptable to the standards and desires of the employer. Less formal households may choose to hire someone with related skills simply because they like their personality and can be trusted, while a more formal, larger organization will tend toward an extremely seasoned and perhaps formally schooled candidate. The Estate Manager or the owners themselves will sometimes be able to train the Butler / House Manager on the necessary and specific procedures of the home. In most cases, however, a well trained Butler with years of experience in similar households is the only consideration.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $500.00 /week

Job Location:

• Ypsilanti, MI

Required education:

• High school or equivalent

Required experience:

• Personal Assistant: 2 years

Required language:

• english

Required license or certification:

• valid michigan license and vehicle