Head Butler

We are far more than a worldwide leader. We are more than 240 000 women and men who share something unique. Each and every day we host the world. We care for millions of people. We are all moved by curiosity. We love blending cultures. We are proud of our differences
Yes, we lead the way. But we want to go further, with audacity, with imagination, with passion.

Raffles the Palm

Raffles the Palm Dubai is on the western crescent of Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest manmade island and archipelago. This luxurious five-star hotel with 353 spacious rooms, suites and villas is embellished with hand-crafted Italian touches and offset by carefully selected amenities to complete the atmosphere of elegance. Guests can enjoy panoramic views, a private beach, state of the art entertainment and recreational facilities, including specialist boutiques, a VIP movie theatre, signature and private restaurants complemented by exquisite banqueting and conference spaces.

When visiting Raffles, guests will discover the individual personality and story offered by the hotel. At the essence of every Raffles is the delivery of thoughtful, personal and discreet service to well-travelled guests.  Raffles Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning, luxury international hotel company with a history dating back to 1887 with the opening of Raffles Hotel, Singapore.  The portfolio currently comprises nearly twenty luxurious properties, from secluded resorts to city hotels in key locations around the world.

To oversee and direct the day to day operation of Butler department and to assist in the forward planning of the department. Promotes the work culture and the company’s core values.

• Has full awareness, manages and supervises all tasks of his/her staff.
• Directs the work assignment of supervisory and non-supervisory personnel
• Monitors butlers to ensure residents receive prompt and courteous service
• Informs other operating departments of matters concerning to Butlers operations, which concern notably the Front Office, to ensure VIP status and other such information, Housekeeping, to ensure all residents receive consistent service from all staff, in addition to communicating with Engineering, Laundry, Sales, Food & Beverage, Reservations etc
• Schedules and performs routine inspections by self or in coordination with the supervisors, of all butler areas including occupied and non-occupied rooms
• Inspects resident rooms and pantries on a regular basis to ensure amenities, resident preferences and other such points are taken care of and carried out flawlessly
• Appraise appearance, discipline and efficiency of all staff under direct supervision and initiate immediate remedial action if necessary
• Ensures that consumption of resident supplies is under control
• Assists in monitoring and controlling relevant procedures including lost and found, key control, security and emergency procedures, health and safety for employees and residents
• Performs related duties and special projects assigned
• Is fully aware of LQA Standards and Forbes Standards
• Performs related duties and special projects assigned
• Ensure that up selling is optimized and hotel products and facilities are utilized to the utmost by all residents
• Ensures that butlers receive appreciation for their efforts in the form of regular feedback and recognition
• Ensures that the team adheres to the core values and the brand dimension of Raffles The Palm
• Ensure that repeat residents are met and greeted on a daily basis and profiles are updated
• Ensures that long staying residents/ special attention residents/ occasion celebrating residents are given greater importance and are taken care of exclusively
• Ensures all communication is carried clearly between the team and the Guest Experience Manager
• Ensures that the Guest Experience Manager is fully aware of the tasks and assignments of every individual within the department
• Conducts regular trainings and role plays to ensure all trainings are understood by the team

Human Resources Responsibilities

• Works with the Guest Experience Manager to ensure the departmental performance of staff is productive. Duties include:
• Planning for future staffing needs
• Assists the Guest Experience Manager in planning for future staffing needs
• Recruiting in line with company guidelines
• Prepares detailed induction programs for supervisory levels
• Maintain a comprehensive, current and resident focused set of departmental SOPs and oversees their implementation
• Ensures training needs analysis of Butlers is carried out and training programs are designed and implemented to meet needs
• Provides input for probation and formal performance appraisal discussions in line with company guidelines
• Coaches, counsels and disciplines staff, providing constructive feedback to enhance performance
• Regularly communicates with colleagues and maintains good relations
• Preparing an efficient roster of Butler staff inline with labor codes

Financial Responsibilities

• Works with Guest Experience Manager in the preparation and management of the department’s budget. Duties include:
• Preparation of the departmental annual budget
• Monitor and control departmental cost on an ongoing basis to ensure performance against budget
• Assists in the preparation of the hotel strategic plan, goals program, and Rooms division Budget

Occupational Health And Safety Responsibilities

• Demonstrate Awareness of OH&S policies and procedures and ensure all procedures are conducted safely and within OH&S guidelines
• Be aware of duty of care and adhere to occupational, health and safety legislation, policies and procedures
• Be familiar with property safety, first aid and fire and emergency procedures and operate equipment safely and sensibly
• Initiate action to correct a hazardous situation and notify supervisors of potential dangers
• Log security incidents and accidents in accordance with hotel requirements

• Degree from School for Tourism & Hotel Management
• Minimum 3 - 5 years’ relevant experience with at least 2 year at a supervisory level

Personal Attributes

• Good organizational skills
• Good level of engagement with residents
• Ability to manage a multi-cultural workforce
• Excellent leadership & communication skills
• Display high levels of integrity, dedication and support for continuous improvement
• Flexible management style to meet the challenges of a changing work environment
• Good knowledge of the entire Butler Service Operations
• Must be a self-starter, coach & mentor who can motivate the Team to perform their best
• Knowledge of Opera Property Management System preferred
• Ability to ensure security and confidentiality of guest and hotel information
• Ability to work with constant interruptions with a high degree of professionalism
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments; delegate work