Drift In is a vibrant outdoor restaurant in the West Village overlooking the Hudson River. With two distinct waterfront seating areas, Drift In features easy-going beach fare, craft cocktails, summery wines, crisp beers, and epic sunsets.

The Lead Host will set the tone for the entire guest experience through initial in-person contact and door operations. The Lead Host will work closely with venue management to ensure the restaurant maximizes each guest experience from beginning to end, and to increase seating opportunities at the Venue.

The perfect candidate is an effective and gracious communicator, reliable, willing to learn, and eager to provide excellent hospitality. The Lead Host must maintain a high level of integrity and be thoughtful, extremely detail oriented, and willing to go the extra mile to comprehensively assist guests. Furthermore, the Lead Host is empowered to mentor Host Runners and encourage job growth among junior crew members.

The Lead Host heads the Front Door staff, mentors junior members of the front door team, monitors daily reservations via Resy, will liaise with the Guest Services team, operate an accurate wait list during peak service periods.

• Assist in the achievement of financial goals while ensuring the integrity of the business
• Communicate with venue management daily
• Comply with Company and Department of Health established sanitation standards, personal hygiene, and health standards; observe proper food preparation and handling techniques and safety protocols
• Comply with safety plan and standards as set forth in training materials
• Effectively communicate guest needs with FOH/BOH and management team
• Execution of daily reporting
• Greet and thank each guest with energy, enthusiasm, and humility
• Handle incoming and outgoing phone and electric communications on behalf of executive management in a timely and professional manner
• Interact with guests with positivity and composure in all circumstances
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of every item on the menu and answer guest questions with clarity and confidence, providing recommendations upon request
• Provide friendly, gracious, motivated, detail oriented, and responsive service to create a memorable dining experience for guests
• Report to work in a neat and clean uniform; maintain well-groomed hair and personal hygiene as established by company policy
• Set up and breakdown station to specification; perform cleaning tasks at the conclusion of each service and prepare for the following service
• Uphold established culture and values

• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to perform essential job functions when working in a high business volume, fast-paced environment
• Ability to walk, stand, and/or bend continuously and for extended periods of time as required to perform essential job functions
• Able to work nights, weekends and holidays, and variable schedule, per the needs of the business
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• General knowledge of industry safety standards and procedures
• Must love sunsets
• Organizational skills
• Polished personal presentation; grooming meets Company standards, as outlined by Employee Handbook
• Proficiency with computer-based technologies (familiarity with Google Suite, Toast POS, and Tock a plus)

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the functions of this job, an employee must walk, stand, or remain stationary during entire the shift. Employee must be able to continuously reach, bend, lift, carry, stoop and wipe with the potential for slipping or tripping. Employee must frequently wash their hands and lift or move up to 50 pounds.

We were raised in the hospitality industry and have come to believe that the highest calling is treating people well, making them feel at home, and communing over good food and drinks. It brings us all together. 

We believe everyone should work in an environment where they are well compensated, culturally enriched, and treated with respect. Across the spectrum of our workforce, our employees take home industry leading income.

Drift In is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.

We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.