Residence Manager (Maternity Cover)

The British Embassy in Israel is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and has a vacancy for a Residence Manager.

We welcome you to apply for this exciting role in a dynamic, diverse and international working environment.

We are looking for six months’ cover, for our Residence Manager, from mid-April until mid-October 2025. An energetic self-starter who can work independently as well as part of a team.

The Ambassador’s Residence in Israel supports the work of The British Embassy’s foreign policy objectives and UK interests. This includes events and entertainment in order to build and maintain a network of senior and influential contacts; hospitality and corporate events to promote British business interests and highlight co-operation between UK and Israel; accommodation for official visitors; meetings, training and other events to promote and support the work of the Embassy. 

The Residence is also the home of the Ambassador and family and their privacy must be protected. It is essential that the house and grounds are well-run to support all these activities, projecting a positive image of the UK, and demonstrating high standards, excellent service and value for money. The jobholder will work closely with the Ambassador, the Ambassador’s spouse, and entire Embassy team especially the Corporate Services team. The Residence Manager manages two Residence staff and is responsible for supervising an external team of chefs, waiters, event contractors and ad hoc workers.

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Oversee arrangements for all official events at different scales, in addition to house guests to ensure the highest levels of service at all times; Maintain an accurate forward plan of upcoming events;
• Event planning: Plan, co-ordinate and execute all aspects of an event based on a brief from the event lead;
• Coordinate menus with the external contract chef according to the event, ensuring suitability, seasonal variations and value for money;
• Coordinate purchase of supplies for the Residence and events according to official procurement guidance;
• Manage contract suppliers for the provision of temporary demountable structures for events and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations including when events are held at external venues;
• Residence budget management: Responsibility and forecasting of the Residence budget for all events, day-to-day running of the house and stock management;
• Support, promote and supervise the Income Generation scheme by meeting with potential clients, drawing up accurate proposals and ensuring events remain within budget;
• Work with Corporate Services team to oversee day-to-day maintenance of the house and its grounds, assemble a group of reliable contractors for general repairs and help project-manage large-scale construction projects as and when required;
• Manage the inventories and upkeep of Government Art Collection, silverware, crystal glassware and linens together with furniture and fittings;
• Manage a team of 2 Residence staff as well as external suppliers and providers. 

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK Citizens. 

Key behaviours required:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• A confident communicator with excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken with perfect grammar and vocabulary. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication. 
• Fluent in Hebrew, particularly spoken Hebrew.
• 3 years’ experience within a high-end hospitality operation including event management.
• Line management experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Has a great eye for detail while seeing the bigger picture.
• Creative, flexible and able to work in a high pace working environment.
• IT proficient including Microsoft Office skills.

Required behaviours  

Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline  

5 February 2025

Grade  

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position  

Full-time, Fixed Term

Working hours per week  

37.5

Duration of Post  

6 months

Region  

Middle East & North Africa

Country/Territory  

Israel

Location (City)  

Tel Aviv

Type of Post  

British Embassy

Number of vacancies  

1

Salary Currency  

ILS

Salary  

14,840

Type of Salary  

monthly

Start Date  

31 March 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

• Receive the appropriate level of security clearance; and
• Are able to work legally in Israel.

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable salary of ILS 14,840 per month plus transport allowance and social benefits as required by the law.

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Parking facilities are not provided nor paid for by the Embassy.

This position is for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term contract of six (6) months beginning mid-April, to cover a maternity leave, subject to a 2-month probationary period.

Working hours is 37.5 per week. Normal working hours are Monday to Thursday 8:00-16:00 and Friday 8:00-13:30. Working patterns include regular office hours Monday to Friday with occasional possibility of hybrid working (1 day a week remotely) subject to events. The successful applicant must be willing to work different hours, including early starts and late finishes, regularly attending events out of office hours as required.

Any flexible working patterns may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The Embassy is committed to providing a wide range of learning and development (L&D) opportunities.

Additional information  

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) 2) motivation essay, in the relevant sections of the online application form, stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required. 

Please refrain from the use of AI based tools when completing your application, this is to ensure a fair competition for all candidates and helps maintain the integrity process. If the use of AI is identified, your application may be rejected.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered. 

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 05 February 2025. 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered. 

Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Tel Aviv and British Consulate General in Jerusalem) applying for this position should consider informing their current line manager upon submission of their application. 

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two-three months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates’ profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.

The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The British Embassy Tel Aviv is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.