Maitre D

Job Details

Cafe des Artistes is seeking a Maître D' for the new restaurant opening on the Upper West Side in early 2027. As the first point of contact for our guests, the Maître D' sets the tone for every visit, representing the identity of the restaurant and leading front door operations throughout service. This role oversees reservations, seating, and guest flow, builds lasting relationships with VIPs and regulars, and works closely with management and the service team to deliver warm, seamless, and memorable hospitality.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As the first point of contact that our guests will have, ensure that you are accurately and completely representing the identity of the restaurant and greeting guests warmly
• Build and maintain relationships with VIP guests, remember and create regulars
• Keep guest profiles up to date during service in real time
• Maintain a strong understanding of the restaurant’s cycle of service, dining room layout, table assignments, and guest flow
• Lead and facilitate the daily pre-service meeting by reviewing reservations, guest notes, special occasions, allergies, VIPs, and operational updates with the guest relations team and management
• Oversee front door operations during service by greeting guests, tracking reservations and seating status, and ensuring every guest receives a warm and personalized welcome
• Approach guest interactions with warmth, confidence, and approachability
• Collaborate closely with managers, servers, and support staff to ensure seamless service execution
• Monitor dining room activity and assist with pacing to optimize table turns while maintaining service quality
• Support guest recovery efforts by escalating concerns appropriately and assisting with solutions when needed
• Create a welcoming, comfortable, and memorable dining experience
• Contribute to a team-oriented environment focused on delivering exceptional hospitality and memorable guest experiences
• Demonstrate teamwork and support fellow staff during service
• Uphold all service standards
• Manage door team and report to Director of Guest Relations

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a managing capacity
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a quality-driven, high volume restaurant, with front-of-house leadership experience
• Proficiency with reservation and guest management systems (e.g., Resy, SevenRooms, OpenTable)
• Team-orientated and positive attitude
• Strong communication skills a must

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to be flexible with job demands and open-minded when being asked to complete tasks
• Ability to operate and use equipment necessary to perform restaurant and kitchen operations
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment and handle stress under pressure
• Ability to see, hear, speak, reach, bend, and move intermittently throughout working hours
• Ability to frequently lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to perform repetitive motions associated with food preparation, service, cleaning, and other restaurant operations
• Ability to work varied hours and days as business dictates, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

NOTE: JOB DESCRIPTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON BUSINESS NECESSITY

AirMax Hospitality reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and responsibilities as business needs evolve. This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications associated with the position.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) STATEMENT

AirMax Hospitality provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.