Maitre D

Nine Orchard | New York, NY

ABOUT NINE ORCHARD

Nine Orchard is a luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Manhattan's Lower East Side, housed within the landmarked Jarmulowsky Bank Building. With an intimate collection of guest rooms and an outsized presence in New York City's hospitality landscape, Nine Orchard is home to a celebrated food and beverage program, including Corner Bar and Swan Room.

Swan Room stands as one of New York City's most distinctive cocktail lounges, celebrated for its architectural grandeur, refined cocktail program, and sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. Drawing a discerning mix of hotel guests, neighborhood regulars, and international visitors, Swan Room delivers an experience rooted in timeless hospitality, understated elegance, and genuine personal connection.

Nine Orchard is design-forward, service-driven, and operates with the intimacy of a boutique property and the rigor of a world-class luxury hotel.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Maître d’ of Swan Room is the face of the lounge and the ultimate ambassador of its guest experience. This individual assumes full ownership of the door, setting the tone for every guest interaction while cultivating an atmosphere that is sophisticated, welcoming, and distinctly New York.

More than managing arrivals and seating, the Maître d’ is responsible for curating the room. Through thoughtful guest recognition, strategic seating, discretion, and an intuitive understanding of hospitality, this individual plays a defining role in shaping the energy, exclusivity, and overall experience of Swan Room.

The ideal candidate possesses an exceptional presence, natural confidence, impeccable judgment, and a genuine passion for hospitality. They understand that luxury is not defined by formality alone, but by the ability to make every guest feel recognized, valued, and effortlessly cared for.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ownership of the Door & Guest Experience

• Assume complete ownership and accountability for the front door experience, ensuring every arrival, interaction, and departure reflects the elevated standards of Swan Room.
• Serve as the primary ambassador of the lounge, establishing a commanding yet approachable presence that embodies confidence, warmth, discretion, and sophistication.
• Personally greet and acknowledge all guests, creating meaningful first impressions and memorable final interactions.
• Cultivate an atmosphere of understated exclusivity while ensuring every guest feels genuinely welcomed and respected.
• Exercise sound judgment and diplomacy when managing guest expectations, walk-in requests, waitlists, and challenging interactions.
• Maintain complete awareness and control of guest arrivals, departures, seating availability, and the overall flow of the room.

Atmosphere & Room Curation

• Take an active role in shaping the energy and ambiance of Swan Room through intentional seating, guest placement, and thoughtful management of the room.
• Balance the lounge's sophisticated atmosphere with an approachable, vibrant energy that encourages guests to return.
• Demonstrate an intuitive understanding of the room's rhythm, recognizing when to adjust seating strategies to preserve the quality of the guest experience.
• Maintain a polished, composed, and confident presence regardless of business volume or operational demands.
• Collaborate closely with the management and service teams to ensure the atmosphere, pacing, and overall guest experience remain consistent with the identity of Swan Room.

Guest Relations & Relationship Development

• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with regular guests, hotel residents, VIPs, and influential members of the New York hospitality community.
• Demonstrate exceptional guest recognition, remembering names, preferences, seating requests, and important details that elevate personalized service.
• Anticipate guest needs and create thoughtful, individualized experiences that encourage loyalty and repeat visitation.
• Exercise the highest level of discretion and professionalism when interacting with high-profile guests and sensitive situations.
• Actively cultivate a loyal following and establish Swan Room as a preferred destination for both neighborhood regulars and visitors to New York City.
• Serve as a trusted point of contact for guest inquiries, special requests, and service recovery.

Reservations, Seating & Operational Excellence

• Oversee all aspects of reservations, walk-in management, waitlists, and seating arrangements to optimize the guest experience and operational efficiency.
• Strategically manage seating to balance revenue opportunities, service pacing, and the desired atmosphere of the lounge.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of reservations, guest profiles, special occasions, and VIP arrivals.
• Ensure accurate and detailed guest profiles are maintained within the reservation platform, including preferences, visit history, and relevant service notes.
• Communicate effectively with management, bartenders, and service staff to coordinate arrivals, table availability, and guest expectations.
• Provide clear and realistic wait-time estimates while maintaining positive guest engagement.
• Maintain an immaculate and organized entrance, host station, and surrounding guest-facing areas.

Leadership & Service Standards

• Lead by example, consistently demonstrating the highest standards of professionalism, personal presentation, hospitality, and attention to detail.
• Establish a culture of accountability and excellence at the door, ensuring all supporting host personnel uphold the same standards.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of Swan Room's cocktail and food offerings, the hotel's outlets, and the surrounding neighborhood.
• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the guest experience and communicate observations and recommendations to management.
• Support the broader service team when necessary without compromising ownership and oversight of the door.
• Uphold all company policies, service standards, Department of Health requirements, and uniform guidelines.
• Demonstrate punctuality, reliability, flexibility, and composure in a dynamic, high-volume luxury hospitality environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Previous experience in a Maître d’, lead host, guest relations, or comparable front-of-house position within a luxury hotel, acclaimed restaurant, or high-end cocktail lounge.
• A natural host with an engaging personality, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a polished, confident presence.
• Strong understanding of New York City’s dining, nightlife, luxury hospitality, arts, culture, and fashion landscapes, with an appreciation for the influential communities and creative individuals who shape the city’s social scene
• Proven ability to build relationships with discerning clientele and establish a loyal base of regular guests.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage reservations, seating strategies, and guest expectations simultaneously.
• Strong instincts for reading a room, anticipating guest needs, and navigating delicate situations with tact and discretion.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with management and service teams.
• An appreciation for cocktail culture, design, architecture, and the finer details that distinguish an exceptional hospitality experience.
• A genuine commitment to creating memorable guest experiences while maintaining the identity and integrity of Swan Room.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands of this position include standing and working for extended periods and moving intermittently throughout working hours. The employee may be required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, bend, squat, kneel, and reach above shoulder level. These physical demands must be met, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential functions of the position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description does not state or imply that the duties listed are the only responsibilities of the position. Employees may be required to perform additional job-related duties as assigned by their supervisor.

Due to the nature of the hospitality industry, employees may be required to work varying schedules based on business needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime where applicable.

The employee is expected to carry out all duties within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the position as directed by management and to adhere to all company policies outlined in the Employee Handbook.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and employment remains at will.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Nine Orchard is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are entitled to rights and protections under applicable federal employment laws. For additional information, please review the Know Your Rights notice provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.