The following definitions are being proposed for the private service industry. Please feel free to provide your input, especially if you hold one of these positions and feel that something is incorrectly stated. Please send suggestions to stevenferry at modernbutlers.com
Estate Manager and Butler Administrator
While an Estate Manager or Butler Administrator (EM/BA) has the skills and sometimes duties of the Household Manager/Butler (HM/B), he or she has additional responsibilities. These may include financial oversight, policy making authority, and responsibility for the smooth management of staff and perform other duties relating to one or often more properties rather than a single household. These properties may well have ancillary elements such as stables and race track, golf course, car museum, dock and yachts, airstrip, etc., requiring expertise in their management.
As such, the EM/BA is a senior executive fulfilling an administrative position, who is skilled in personnel, household management, property and grounds. He or she rarely delivers service directly to guests and employers and counts upon an HM/B at each property to run the day-to-day operations, including service delivery, budget, and personnel hiring, firing, management, and training. The EM/BA oversees the latter while bringing about continuity between properties concerning service, standards, and information exchange. He or she also oversees larger projects such as construction or renovations and the management of contractors, as well as making larger purchases or investments. An EM/BA may also fulfill the role of Personal Assistant and even assist with aspects of an employer’s business(es).
The EM/BA should have business and management experience and training, as well as training in household management and service.
Sometimes, this position is also called Major Domo, which title also applies to a Butler or Household Manager position
Other titles used for this position include Director of Properties and Services, Director of Residences, General Manager of Properties and Services.
Butler, Household Manager, Major Domo
The B/HM/MD manages all affairs relating to the smooth running of a household and servicing of principals and guests—including providing service themselves in any number of capacities, or more commonly, supervising others who do so, whether they be outside contractors and vendors, housekeeping staff, chef, chauffeur, valet, or personal assistant or secretary, etc.
The B/HM/MD is responsible for all matters relating to the hiring and management of employees, developing SOPs, policies, and manuals, and training staff in them. He or she makes purchases and may handle the budget and bookkeeping (but often defers to an employer’s business office for handling payroll and legal issues). He or she runs projects around the house or estate, or for the principals, and orchestrates social events under the direction of one or both principals.
The Butler traditionally cuts a more formal figure knowledgeable in etiquette and protocol, formal service, fine wines and household trappings. His or her duties, in addition to the above, specifically include reception and cosseting of guests, serving of refreshments and meals, maintaining fine silver and china, and valeting (clothes, not cars)—and he or she is less likely to perform also the duties of the chef, housekeeper, or chauffeur.
Valet (Or Lady’s Maid)
A valet assists a gentleman (or lady) with his wardrobe, closet, personal items, dressing, and packing; he can travel with the employer and act as a confident. Where the only person in the household is the gentleman, the valet can also perform light housekeeping, cook, and chauffeur duties.
Personal Assistant
A Personal Assistant (PA) liaises between the principal and any other staff, particularly an HM/B, to satisfy the wishes or needs of the principal. Other duties include secretarial/Home Office functions and liaison with office, calendar management, travel arrangements, budget management, organizing social events, running errands, shopping, special projects, and even media and public relations, as well as traveling with the employer.
A PA’s duties often overlap with the HM, but where there is no HM, then the PA may find himself or herself hiring, training, and supervising employees.
Where the PA has only secretarial responsibilities, the title is often referred to as Social Secretaries, not PAs.
Houseman
Primarily responsible for cleaning, the houseman can be required also to provide light food preparation, as well as perform shopping and other errands.
Private Chef
Private Chefs handle all matters relating to the preparing, cooking and presentation of food. They are usually selected for their familiarity with certain cuisines, their culinary training, and understanding of dietary issues, wines and spirits, their experience with social and household entertaining and catering, and knowledge of formal table settings and etiquette.
Cooks generally have experience in all of the above but lack formal training.
Private Service Staff Job Definitions