Head Server

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Birley Bakery is the newest opening by the club owner and entrepreneur Robin Birley; owner of prestigious private members’ clubs 5 Hertford Street and Oswald’s in London.

Opening summer 2025, Birley Bakery will be located on the Upper East Side’s Madison Avenue, and aims to create a warm and welcoming environment, inspired by the classic concept of Boulangerie-Patisserie. We will fulfil the need of every household craving exceptional quality, by delivering simple yet elegantly crafted bread, pastries and desserts. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head Server is responsible for leading the second-floor service team at Birley Bakery and ensuring a smooth, polished, and elevated guest experience that reflects the brand’s values. This role acts as a liaison between the front-of-house servers, the downstairs barista and pastry team, and the kitchen. The Head Server also helps manage day-to-day floor operations, mentor team members, and ensure all service standards are consistently met.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Comprehensive benefits plan, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Generous paid time off programs (vacation and personal days).
• 401k retirement savings plan with company match.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Work life and wellness benefit platform.
• Discount program offering Retail, Restaurants & Activities discounts.
• Freshly prepared Staff Meal whilst on duty.
• Uniform and dry cleaning provided.
• & more!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Floor Oversight

• Supervise all second-floor service operations, including pacing, table flow, and team coordination.
• Train, support, and guide servers in delivering high-touch service in line with Birley Bakery standards.
• Serve as point person during service to address guest concerns and resolve issues gracefully.
• Ensure all walk-ins and reservations—including those from Maxime’s private members club—are welcomed and accommodated appropriately.

Reservation & Guest Management

• Oversee the management of table reservations, ensuring accurate booking details, timely turnarounds, and optimal guest flow.
• Coordinate with the shop manager and club concierge to manage priority seating or high-profile reservations.

Guest Experience

• Build rapport with regular guests and private members; remember preferences and provide a warm, tailored experience.
• Communicate specials, pastry selections, and coffee offerings clearly and knowledgeably.
• Provide personalized recommendations and guide guests through the menu.
• Support with serving breakfast and all pastry items coming from the downstairs kitchen and pastry station.

Beverage & Coordination

• Prepare espresso-based drinks as needed; prior barista experience is preferred.
• Coordinate closely with the downstairs barista team when fulfilling drink orders for second-floor guests.
• Ensure all items retrieved from the pastry kitchen are accurate, timely, and beautifully presented.

Operational Duties

• Lead daily opening and closing procedures for the second-floor space.
• Oversee proper tag placement, table setup, and cleanliness of the entire service area.
• Monitor inventory levels for service tools and liaise with management to restock when needed.
• Assist in maintaining DOH compliance and hygiene standards throughout service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS)

• 2+ years of serving experience in a premium hospitality or bakery/café environment.
• Previous team lead or supervisory experience strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of espresso-based drink preparation is a plus.
• Strong sense of organization, attention to detail, and calm under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; capable of mentoring junior team members.
• Flexibility to support other departments and collaborate across the café and bakery team.
• Excellent attention to detail, communication, and multitasking skills.
• Friendly, guest-focused, and team-oriented.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 25 lbs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to be flexible with job demands and open-minded when being asked to complete tasks.
• Ability to operate and use all the equipment necessary to run the bakery.
• Ability to operate with grace under pressure.
• Ability to move or handle equipment throughout the restaurant generally weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work varied hours/days (early mornings, weekends, holidays) as business dictates.
• Ability to stand for up to 8-10 hours a day.

EEO STATEMENT                                  

Birley Bakery is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis race, color, creed, religion, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related condition, sexual and reproductive health decisions, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristic, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, or any other legally protected status.