A warm, professional and highly capable Butler / House Manager is required for a prestigious private country estate near Basingstoke, Hampshire. The property is the principals’ primary UK residence and forms part of a wider lifestyle portfolio that includes homes in London, St Tropez and Palm Beach.
The estate has been built and developed over many years and includes the main house, barns, cottages, guest accommodation and extensive leisure facilities. The household is operated to an exceptional standard, with frequent entertaining, a strong focus on guest experience and a need for calm, discreet and proactive household leadership.
The estate is located approximately 10 minutes from Basingstoke. It includes the main house, guest cottages, barns, an indoor pool, gym, multiple bars, a golf course, shoot facilities, farm fields and high-specification household technology.
The main house offers eight VIP guest bedrooms and is maintained to a very high standard at all times. The principals entertain regularly, including during shoot season, and the successful candidate will be confident supporting both formal and relaxed hospitality.
This is a hands-on Butler / House Manager position suited to someone polished, practical and service-led, with experience in a high-level private household or luxury hospitality environment.
The successful candidate will support the smooth running of the household, oversee day-to-day service and presentation, coordinate with the household team and ensure the property is always guest-ready. They will act as a trusted point of contact between the principals, household staff, contractors and estate personnel.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the daily presentation, readiness and smooth operation of the main house and guest areas.
- Provide polished front-of-house service for principals, family members and guests.
- Support entertaining, house parties, shoot weekends and planned guest visits.
- Coordinate with housekeepers, chefs, drivers, security, the estate secretary, gamekeepers and external contractors.
- Ensure guest bedrooms, bars, leisure facilities and public areas are prepared to an exceptional standard.
- Manage household supplies, stock levels, service items and day-to-day operational requirements.
- Assist with household administration, rotas, communication and forward planning.
- Maintain discretion, confidentiality and calm professionalism at all times.
- Ensure the house remains immaculate and ready even during quieter periods when the principals are away.
The household and estate team includes chefs, housekeepers, drivers, 24/7 security, an estate secretary, gamekeeper and golf course staff. The successful candidate will need to build positive working relationships across the team, communicate clearly and help maintain a collaborative, professional household culture.
Candidate Profile:
- Previous experience as a Butler, House Manager, Assistant House Manager or senior front-of-house professional within a private household, estate, yacht, chalet or five-star hospitality environment.
- Highly organised, proactive and comfortable taking ownership.
- Excellent service standards with strong attention to detail.
- Confident supporting VIP guests and high-level entertaining.
- Discreet, loyal, polished and emotionally intelligent.
- Comfortable working within an established wider team.
- Flexible approach to hours and duties, particularly when the principals are in residence or entertaining.
- Confident with household technology and able to liaise with contractors and suppliers as needed.
- A full driving licence would be essential due to the location of the property.
The principals’ schedule is planned in advance, with busy periods around entertaining and shoot season. The household is generally quieter during July/August, Christmas and Easter, although the property must continue to be maintained to an excellent standard throughout the year.
A separate house is available on the estate if accommodation is required.
Salary is expected to be in the region of £70,000–£80,000 gross per annum, depending on experience.
REF: S&W#3642891
