Host/Hostess

Job brief

Hotel Madison is looking for a part-time Host or Hostess to join our team in the food & beverage outlets. As the host/hostess, you will be the first point of contact for our guests. Must have weekend availability.

Host/Hostess responsibilities include greeting guests, providing accurate wait times and escorting customers to the dining and bar areas. For this role, you should have solid organizational and people skills to make sure our guests have a positive dining experience from the moment they arrive till their departure.

Ultimately, you'll ensure we provide excellent customer service and a pleasant dining experience for our guests.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests to the restaurant/hotel
• Provide accurate wait times and monitor waiting lists
• Manage reservations
• Escort customers to assigned dining or bar areas
• Provide menus and announce Waiter/Waitress's name
• Thank customers upon their departure
• Coordinate with wait staff about available seating options
• Maintain a clean host/entrance area
• Cater to guests who require extra attention (e.g. children, elderly)
• Answer incoming calls and address customers' queries
• Assist wait staff as needed
• Take accurate to-go orders, and collect payment

Requirements and skills

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Previous work experience as a Host/Hostess or Waiter/Waitress preferred
• Understanding of restaurant etiquette
• Familiarity with health and safety regulations
• Experience in managing reservations
• Demonstrable customer-service skills
• Excellent communication skills (via phone and in-person)
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to monitor the entire dining and bar area
• High school diploma preferred; hospitality certification is a plus

Physical requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Requires ability to stand/walk for significant periods.
• Requires ability to move fingers and hands easily and quickly.
• Requires ability to communicate both orally and in writing to guests and staff members.
• Requires ability to lift 20 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects up to 10-35 pounds.

Other requirements

• Customer Service: A friendly, relaxing demeanor, courteousness and quick service will help get repeat customers.
• Availability: Weekends and nights required, must be available during high volume weekends. Available for holidays. Summer availability preferred.
• Teamwork: Hosts are part of a team. You will be working with other servers, bus persons, bartenders and cooks to make a great dining experience. Being a team player is essential.
• Ability to read, write, and comprehend verbal and written instructions in English.
• Calmly respond to dissatisfied guests and calling issues to managers' attention,
• Able to articulate clear greetings, requests for assistance, and farewell to guests.
• Grooming: All employees must maintain a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance per Hotel Madison standards.

Additional notes

Equal Employment Opportunity. Hotel Madison is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all employment practices, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, age, veteran's status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Hotel Madison complies with the law regarding reasonable accommodation for disabled employees and applicants.