Qualified Butler / Property & Hospitality Lead

Embassy Hill, Constantia, Cape Town

Company: The Forum
Location: Embassy Hill, Constantia, Cape Town
Role Type: Full-time
Industry: Premium Hospitality, Events, Food & Beverage, Property Operations
Seniority: Senior
Reports To: Cape Town General Manager
Qualification: Accredited butler training required; South African Butler Academy qualification preferred

 

About the Role

The Forum Embassy Hill is a premium boutique hospitality and event property in Constantia, Cape Town. We are looking for a qualified and experienced butler to take full responsibility for the day-to-day running, presentation, guest experience, and operational readiness of the property.

This is a senior, hands-on role for someone who understands formal service, property standards, discreet hospitality, and the level of detail required in a high-end environment. The successful candidate will be the most senior person on site at Embassy Hill and will ensure that the property is always immaculate, welcoming, operationally prepared, and representative of The Forum’s standards.

The role includes responsibility for property presentation, guest hosting, food and beverage service, event readiness, staff direction, supplier coordination, and daily operational oversight. It does not include sales ownership, although the person will support site visits, client hosting, and venue inspections when required.

This position is best suited to a trained butler who has developed broader hospitality, estate, boutique hotel, or venue management experience, and who is confident taking ownership of a premium property without daily supervision.

 

Key Responsibilities
Property Presentation and Daily Readiness

• Take full daily responsibility for the appearance, order, and readiness of Embassy Hill.
• Conduct detailed inspections of all guest-facing and operational areas, including entrances, function spaces, restrooms, gardens, kitchen areas, service areas, and back-of-house spaces.
• Ensure the property is immaculate and guest-ready every day, whether or not an event is scheduled.
• Identify and address maintenance, presentation, cleaning, garden, or operational issues before they affect the guest experience.
• Oversee cleaning, gardening, maintenance, and contractor activity to ensure work is completed to the required standard.
• Maintain appropriate levels of operational supplies, consumables, guest amenities, and service equipment.
• Report regularly to the Cape Town General Manager on property condition, operational matters, risks, requirements, and priorities.

 
Butler Service and Guest Experience

• Act as the face of The Forum at Embassy Hill, setting the tone for every guest, client, and visitor interaction.
• Welcome guests, clients, site visitors, and suppliers with calm, polished, and professional hospitality.
• Provide attentive, anticipatory service during site visits, client meetings, tastings, private functions, and events.
• Ensure refreshments, room presentation, service flow, and guest comfort are handled with precision.
• Support venue tours and site inspections by presenting the property with confidence, warmth, and detailed knowledge.
• Ensure every visitor leaves with a strong impression of Embassy Hill and The Forum.
• Maintain discretion, professionalism, and composure in all guest-facing situations.

Food and Beverage Oversight

• Take operational responsibility for food and beverage readiness and service at Embassy Hill.
• Oversee bar setup, beverage service, stock control, breakages, and service standards.
• Work with kitchen shift staff to ensure food service is timely, well-presented, and aligned with The Forum’s quality expectations.
• Monitor F&B consumables, stock requirements, ordering needs, and cost awareness.
• Ensure food hygiene, health and safety, and service compliance standards are maintained.
• Support tastings, private dining, site visits, and event service as required.

 
Event and Function Operations

• Oversee the operational preparation, execution, and breakdown of events, weddings, corporate functions, private dining, and hospitality bookings.
• Review function sheets, floor plans, table settings, service stations, bar setup, room presentation, and guest flow before each event.
• Work closely with the Senior Event and Operations Coordinator to ensure all event requirements, timings, and service expectations are understood and delivered.
• Brief coordinators, operational staff, service teams, kitchen teams, AV suppliers, cleaning teams, and contractors as needed.
• Resolve event-day issues calmly, practically, and professionally.
• Report event outcomes, operational concerns, guest feedback, and service learnings to the Cape Town General Manager.

 
Staff Direction and On-Site Leadership

• Provide day-to-day direction to coordinators, operational staff, kitchen shift staff, cleaners, gardeners, and contractors working on site.
• Set and uphold standards of personal presentation, conduct, punctuality, service, and attention to detail.
• Ensure all staff understand the required standard before guests or clients arrive.
• Act as the senior on-site decision-maker during daily operations and events.
• Maintain a composed, authoritative, and service-led presence that gives confidence to both staff and guests.

 

Requirements

• Completion of an accredited butler training programme; South African Butler Academy qualification strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior butler, estate management, boutique hospitality, private household, premium venue, or hospitality operations role.
• Proven ability to manage a high-end property or hospitality environment with limited supervision.
• Strong understanding of formal service etiquette, guest hosting, table service, and premium presentation standards.
• Solid food and beverage knowledge, including bar operations, stock control, service setup, and event service.
• Experience with event preparation, banqueting, room setup, service flow, and operational breakdown.
• Strong eye for detail across property presentation, guest experience, staff standards, and service delivery.
• Calm, discreet, organised, and highly self-directed.
• Confident communicating with senior managers, clients, guests, suppliers, and staff.
• Willingness to work hospitality and event-driven hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays when required.
• Valid driver’s licence preferred.

 

Advantageous Experience

• Previous experience as a head butler, estate manager, boutique hotel manager, residence manager, or senior hospitality lead.
• Experience in high-end events, weddings, private dining, or corporate hospitality.
• Wine, spirits, and formal beverage service knowledge.
• Experience coordinating maintenance, housekeeping, gardens, suppliers, and contractors.
• Familiarity with the Cape Town premium hospitality, events, or private client market.

 

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a trained butler with the judgement, presence, and operational discipline to run a premium property to an exceptional standard.

You notice what others miss. You understand that presentation, timing, discretion, cleanliness, service, and small details shape the entire guest experience. You are comfortable moving between formal service, property inspections, staff direction, event readiness, F&B oversight, and client hosting without losing composure or standards.

You do not wait to be told what needs attention. You see it, take ownership, and ensure it is resolved. You are proud of a property that is always ready, always polished, and always welcoming.

 

Working Hours

This is a full-time, on-site role based at Embassy Hill in Constantia, Cape Town. The role requires regular daily attendance, with flexibility for events, site visits, client meetings, tastings, and functions that may take place during evenings, weekends, or public holidays.

Event-driven scheduling will apply where required.

 

Remuneration

The remuneration range should reflect the seniority and breadth of the role, combining qualified butler service, property oversight, food and beverage responsibility, and event operations.

Compensation may be reviewed as the Embassy Hill operation grows and the scope of the role develops.

 

Location

The Forum Embassy Hill
Constantia, Cape Town
Western Cape