The British Embassy in Santo Domingo is seeking a Residence Manager to lead the day-to-day operations for the Residence of the British Ambassador. The primary responsibility of the Residence Manager is to ensure that the Residence is 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, at all times projecting a welcoming, modern and highly professional image of the UK.  

This is a varied role, with the opportunity to get experience in an unusually broad mix of areas in a high-profile diplomatic setting, working directly with the British Ambassador and team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative professional to organise events and oversee the management of the property, finances and staff on a day-to-day basis. This is a challenging position that requires excellent inter-personal and organisational skills and strong customer focus.

  
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability.  We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

The Embassy’s working language is English.

Roles and responsibilities:

To lead and manage the work of the Residence and its staff, in close liaison with HMA and the Private Office/Corporate Services team, liaising and consulting with other staff and external organisations, e.g. caterers and security guards, as necessary.  To manage own time and workload effectively to ensure delivery of the following roles and responsibilities of the job in line with accepted Embassy best practice:

EVENTS

• Creative planning, design and managing of all events held at the Residence, including liaison with the Corporate Services Team (CST) and other staff/teams, as required, to ensure all requirements are in place on time for delivering high quality events, and with external contractors as necessary on additional staffing, food provision, catering and other equipment; in close liaison with responsible Embassy teams coordinating closely with HMA.
• Budgeting and liaising with suppliers; managing invitations and additional staff; preparation of the Residence for VIP visitors and guests; quality assurance of all staff and services provided.
  ORGANISATIONAL/OPERATIONAL
• Ensure the Residence estate is efficiently run, well organised and maintained to a high standard.
• Liaise closely with the Estates/Health & Safety Manager and team to help identify, plan, facilitate and manage the Residence building and its facilities, and support works as necessary.
• Accurate maintenance of Residence inventories of household items and equipment etc.

FINANCE

• Secure handling of the Residence finances.
• Compile and manage the annual Residence budget and prepare expense reports, quotes, budget and other necessary reports to run the Residence finances effectively.
• Efficient management of Residence day-to-day operational (food, drink, cleaning supplies and sundry expenses) items, including monthly monitoring and forecasting of expenditure.

STAFF MANAGEMENT

• Working with HMA and Head of Corporate Services, set a clear direction, ensuring Residence staff understand how they fit into the Embassy’s business plan and the value they bring to the Embassy, with clear objectives and regular performance management discussions.
• Recruit, induct, develop and motivate Residence staff, ensuring clear job descriptions and that roles/responsibilities are aligned to the business needs of HMA and Residence operations.
• Provide guidance and leadership to Residence team with regards to day to day running of the Residence, quality assuring their work.
• Ensure relevant training is undertaken by the whole team, tailored 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.

OTHER

• Maintenance of accurate records of Residence activity and tools such as Residence forward programme, contact database, and statistics on the number of events organised and guests/visitors at the Residence.
• Liaison with the Crisis Manager to ensure full understanding and readiness of arrangements for use of the Residence as a fall-back location as part of the Embassy’s wider crisis and business continuity planning.

• Fluent English and Spanish, covering reading, writing, speaking and listening, and an ability to switch between the two languages seamlessly.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both English and Spanish in writing and in person.
• Demonstrable leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead and motivate.
• Strong customer focus and ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Self-starter and team player.
• Strong organisational, prioritisation and time management skills, with good attention to detail.
• Flexible, resilient under pressure and decisive with a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
• The ability to solve problems and take decisions effectively.