Captain

Position Overview
The Captain at ama serves as a key leader on the dining room floor, ensuring that every service is executed with precision, polish, and warmth. Captains act as the direct link between management and the service team, guiding the flow of the dining experience while mentoring staff and elevating guest interactions. This role requires a refined understanding of both fine-dining service and high-end lounge hospitality. As part of Chef Brad Kilgore’s new high-end concept in San Francisco, Captains embody the restaurant’s philosophy of excellence, helping to set and uphold the highest standards for the guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the service team by modeling polished, anticipatory, and personalized guest interactions.

• Support management in overseeing the floor, ensuring seamless coordination between the dining room, lounge, bar, and kitchen.

• Guide servers throughout service, assisting with table touchpoints, pacing, and timing to ensure consistency.

• Take charge of VIP tables and high-profile guests, providing discreet, attentive, and elevated service.

• Conduct and participate in pre-shift meetings, communicating menu changes, beverage updates, and service priorities.

• Mentor and train service staff, reinforcing standards of professionalism, guest engagement, and product knowledge.

• Resolve guest concerns with professionalism, discretion, and a solutions-oriented approach.

• Maintain advanced knowledge of food, wine, sake, cocktails, and pairings, acting as a resource for both staff and guests.

• Uphold the standards of ama through presence, demeanor, and leadership on the floor.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in fine dining or luxury hospitality, including prior leadership roles such as Captain, Lead Server, or Supervisor.

• Demonstrated expertise in service standards, menu knowledge, and wine/beverage pairings.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, motivate, and inspire team members.

• Exceptional communication and problem-solving abilities, with grace under pressure.

• Proven ability to manage VIP-level service with discretion and precision.

• Commitment to the philosophy of hospitality, with a passion for delivering memorable, world-class experiences.