Position Overview
The Lead Host is the first and last point of contact for our guests and sets the tone for the entire dining experience. This role is both guest-facing and operational, responsible for overseeing the host team, managing reservations and seating flow, and ensuring that hospitality standards are upheld from arrival to departure.
The ideal Lead Host is poised, organized, and confident, with a strong sense of situational awareness and an ability to balance guest needs with operational flow. This position plays a key role in communication between the dining room, management, and service staff.
Key Responsibilities
Guest Experience
-
Greet all guests warmly and professionally, setting a welcoming tone from the moment of arrival
-
Manage guest expectations regarding wait times, seating, and special requests with clarity and hospitality
-
Handle guest concerns or conflicts at the host stand calmly and professionally, escalating to management when appropriate
-
Ensure departures are as thoughtful as arrivals, leaving guests with a lasting positive impression
Reservations & Floor Management
-
Oversee all reservations and walk-in flow using the reservation system
-
Control pacing and seating to support service standards and kitchen capacity
-
Communicate effectively with managers, captains, and servers to ensure balanced sections and smooth service
-
Manage private dining reservations and special events in coordination with management
Team Leadership
-
Train, mentor, and supervise host team members
-
Set performance standards for professionalism, language, appearance, and guest interaction
-
Create and manage host schedules in coordination with management
-
Lead pre-shift meetings or briefings for the host team when needed
Operational Excellence
-
Maintain organization and cleanliness of the host stand and entry areas
-
Ensure accurate tracking of guest counts, turn times, and seating data
-
Assist with menu updates, reservation notes, and guest profile management
-
Uphold all service standards, policies, and procedures
Communication & Collaboration
-
Act as a key communication link between FOH leadership, servers, and management
-
Relay real-time floor updates and anticipate service challenges before they arise
-
Support managers during peak service by helping to solve flow and guest experience issues proactively
Qualifications
-
2+ years of hosting experience in a full-service or fine-dining restaurant
-
Prior leadership or shift-lead experience preferred
-
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
-
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
-
Ability to remain composed and professional in high-pressure environments
-
Familiarity with reservation systems (Resy, OpenTable, or similar)
-
Ability to stand for extended periods and work nights, weekends, and holidays
What Success Looks Like in This Role
-
Guests feel welcomed, informed, and cared for from entry to exit
-
The dining room runs smoothly with balanced pacing and minimal bottlenecks
-
Host team operates confidently, consistently, and professionally
-
Clear communication between FOH teams leads to strong service execution
