Household Staff of the Future – Part 2
Not the sequel to a superhero movie, but following directly on from last week’s piece about household staff roles we take a look at butlers, chauffeurs and house managers. This is intended to provide a very brief guide to each role, for those candidates who think they might like to work in a private residence in the future.
Butler
Ideal for a perfectionist with a passion for service.
Pros
- The butler is a high-ranking individual within the household staff, working very closely with the principals and usually building a very strong professional relationship.
- Accommodation is often provided, as you will be needed at short notice.
- A highly responsible, varied role for someone who doesn’t want a conventional 9-5 lifestyle.
Cons
- Working hours can be very long and unusual, and you might be expected to work many days in a row, leaving little time for social activities.
- This can be an extremely demanding role, with perfection required at all times, day or night.
Chauffeur
If you enjoy driving and variety.
Pros
- The role can vary a great deal in location, as you might reasonably expect, from day to day.
- There might be other tasks as well as driving – walking dogs is, for example, relatively common. Many people find this variation enjoyable.
- There can be a good deal of downtime.
- Mostly a relatively low-stress role.
Cons
- Can be monotonous when driving the same routes daily, for example the principal’s regular commute to the office.
- The hours required can often be unconventional, requiring great flexibility. Chauffeurs are often asked to work on bank holidays, at weekends and during Christmas or other religious festivals.
House Manager
Ideal for a natural-born leader.
Pros
- Usually very well compensated, with a generous salary and often accommodation.
- Working closely with the principals, there’s the opportunity to build an excellent professional relationship.
- A house manager will generally have the freedom to “own” their role and execute it as they best see fit, managing the team to their preference, rather than being micromanaged by higher-ups.
Cons
- There’s a huge amount of responsibility in running the household team – the principal will look to you to provide efficient solutions, often requiring coordination with several other members of staff or entire teams.
- The working hours can be long and demanding, with little room for time to yourself.
Pembury Partners excels in matching the best butlers, chauffeurs and house managers with the finest households, worldwide.
