View Vacancy – Residence Manager

The British Embassy in Amman is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the part time, fixed term position of Residence Manager, Grade – A2 (L).

Main Purpose of the job:

The Residence Manager works directly to the Ambassador to ensure that the Residence and its estate are maintained to the highest possible standard and that the services it provides to the Ambassador’s guests and visitors serve as a showcase for British excellence.

The Residence Manager leads and oversees the Residence team, including the Ambassador’s Butler, Steward, Chef, Housekeeper and Gardener. They also work closely with the Ambassador’s Social Secretary, Chief of Staff and the Embassy’s Corporate Services and Security teams.

The role requires excellent inter-personal, communication, organisational, financial and project management skills, strong customer focus, attention to detail and effective delivery.

Main Responsibilities:

Residence Management:

• Planning: Ensure the effective planning and management of the Residence’s forward programme of events, maintenance and improvement projects. Plan and manage access by all visitors (internal and external) to the Residence in line with guidance provided, to ensure that this is managed appropriately and securely. Work with the Overseas Security Manager as necessary to ensure that the contractor guard force is delivering a high quality service that is fit for purpose and in line with its contractual obligations.
• Financial/Resource Management: Manage Residence finances, ensuring accountability and value for money for all expenditure at the Residence (including utilities), in line with UK government guidance. Compile an annual Residence budget and spending profile at the start of each financial year, submit monthly expenditure reports, monitor/adjust spend against profile. Monitor and control Residence inventories and assets. Oversee shopping and ensure stocks of food and drink are maintained.
• Maintenance: Work with the Embassy and Residence Compound Estates Manager to ensure effective planning, implementation and quality control of all Residence maintenance projects and annual calendar of maintenance work, working closely with the Embassy Corporate Services Team, ensuring they deliver on time and on budget to the required specification and as agreed with the Ambassador. Work with external contractors and the Gardener to ensure the Residence gardens and amenities are maintained to a high standard, following an annual calendar of work. Check daily that all areas of the Residence and garden are working and up to standard, and ensure that necessary maintenance is carried out, and works requests are submitted and implemented as necessary.
• Health and Safety: Work with the Embassy’s Health and Safety Officer to ensure maintenance of hygiene, and health and safety standards at the Residence. Ensure Residence staff have the appropriate guidance, support and training to deliver their responsibilities in this regard.

Events Planning and Management:

• Planning and Management: Work closely with the Ambassador’s Social Secretary to ensure effective planning and management of the Ambassador’s programme of hospitality at the Residence.
• Management: Work as necessary with organisations, companies and any other associations, which may occasionally sponsor events at the Residence, generating revenue for the Embassy where appropriate. Work with outside companies and individuals to ensure they understand and comply with Embassy guidance when involved in events at the Residence.

Staff Management:

• Management: Overall supervision of the Residence staff, with direct line management responsibility for the Social Secretary, Butler and Chef to ensure a high quality of service to guests and customers.
• Management: Hold regular meetings with all staff to ensure duties are being carried out efficiently and effectively, that staff meet their objectives and to identify learning and development needs. Hold a weekly Residence Team staff meeting and check in with staff members daily on their individual schedules as necessary.
• Learning and Development: Work with Corporate Services to ensure appropriate training is available for Residence staff, responding to individual development needs, to support continuous professional development, and to ensure accurate understanding and implementation of essential standards (especially hygiene, health, safety and security).

Key Competencies:

• Leading and Communicating – Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm.
• Managing a Quality Service – Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.
• Delivering Value for Money – Delivering value for money involves the efficient, effective and economic use of taxpayers’ money in the delivery of public services.
• Changing and Improving – People who are effective in this area are responsive, innovative and seek out opportunities to create effective change. It’s about being open to change, suggesting ideas for improvements to the way things are done, and working in ‘smarter’, more focused ways.

Knowledge & Skills:

The successful candidate will have excellent communication skills as well as being a strong team player with partnering skills with a diverse range of customers.  This is a high-paced role and you will need to be resilient in order to deliver high standards of service in a challenging but rewarding environment.  We are looking for someone that can demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality

Essential:

• Fluent communication skills in both English and Arabic (speaking, reading and writing).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in similar position with exposure to event planning and staff management.
• Ability to deliver competing priorities, including prioritising and delegating appropriately.
• Customer service experience and experience in problem solving.
• Microsoft Office experience.