Maitre D

Location: Washington, DC, USA

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Maître d’ to join the opening team of a high-profile luxury restaurant in Washington, DC.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in launching an ambitious new dining destination where exceptional food, sophisticated surroundings and outstanding hospitality come together. With a focus on delivering a memorable experience for a discerning clientele, the restaurant will set high standards for service, atmosphere and guest engagement.

We are looking for a polished, personable and confident hospitality professional who understands the importance of creating an exceptional first impression and ensuring every guest feels genuinely valued.

As Maître d’, you will oversee the guest experience from arrival to departure, taking ownership of reservations, seating, guest relations and the overall flow of the dining room. Working closely with the restaurant’s leadership team, you will help establish the service culture and standards that define the restaurant from opening day.

Key responsibilities include:

• Overseeing the arrival and seating experience, ensuring every guest receives a warm, personalised and professional welcome.

• Managing reservations, table allocation and dining room flow to ensure a seamless service.

• Building strong relationships with VIPs, regular guests and high-profile clientele, anticipating their needs and remembering individual preferences.

• Maintaining a visible presence on the floor and ensuring consistently high standards of hospitality.

• Working closely with the General Manager and front-of-house team to coordinate service and deliver an exceptional guest experience.

• Handling guest feedback and resolving any concerns with discretion, professionalism and sound judgement.

• Supporting the restaurant opening, helping establish service standards, procedures and team culture.

• Ensuring the overall atmosphere, presentation and guest journey reflect the restaurant’s premium positioning.

• Previous experience as a Maître d’, Head Host, Head of Reservations or in a comparable senior guest-facing role within a luxury restaurant, fine dining establishment or premium hospitality environment.

• A strong understanding of high-end hospitality and experience serving a discerning clientele.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with VIPs, regular guests and high-profile individuals.

• A natural ability to read the room, anticipate guest needs and manage the dining room with confidence and composure.

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage reservations, seating plans and service flow in a busy environment.

• A polished, professional presence combined with genuine warmth and a passion for hospitality.

• The ability to lead by example, work collaboratively with restaurant leadership and uphold exceptionally high service standards.

• Experience with new restaurant openings would be advantageous.

Join an ambitious new restaurant opening in Washington, DC, with the opportunity to help shape its service culture, establish exceptional guest experiences and play an important role in the restaurant’s success from day one.

If you are passionate about luxury hospitality, building lasting guest relationships and delivering service at the highest level, we would love to hear from you.