Host/Hostess

Description

Job Type: Full-time, $18.00 per hour (Thursday through Sunday)

Travis Club is a rare 1,500-acre private club and community on Lake Travis with 10,000 feet of lake frontage offering world-class golf and unforgettable experiences on land and lake. It's home to every nuance of Hill Country life, just 15 miles from the hustle and bustle of Austin - yet a word away. The result is community of connection for our membership and the Travis Club Team, where families, friendships, and team members grow tighter and stronger. We invite you to be an integral part of what's coming together on the shores of Lake Travis, an opportunity not found so much on a map as in your heart.

Position Summary

The Host/Hostess plays an essential role in creating a welcoming and professional experience for every guest. This position is responsible for greeting and seating guests, managing reservations and waitlists, coordinating table availability, answering guest questions, and supporting the smooth flow of dining and event operations.

As the first and last point of contact for many guests, the Host/Hostess must consistently demonstrate warmth, professionalism, attention to detail, and knowledge of club service standards. This position works closely with servers, server assistants, kitchen staff, banquet personnel, and management to ensure efficient seating, accurate communication, and exceptional guest service.

This position is performed primarily outdoors and requires the ability to work safely and effectively in high temperatures, direct sunlight, humidity, and varying weather conditions while maintaining a positive, polished, and professional demeanor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Guest Service

• Warmly greet and acknowledge each guest upon arrival.
• Welcome members and guests in a professional, courteous, and personalized manner.
• Confirm reservations and accurately identify guest seating preferences and special requests.
• Escort guests to their assigned tables and provide menus or other service materials.
• Assist guests with questions regarding dining areas, menu offerings, events, club facilities, and service availability.
• Thank guests as they depart and invite them to return.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest concerns, escalating complaints or service issues to management when appropriate.
• Maintain knowledge of menu items, daily specials, operating hours, special events, and club service standards.

Reservations and Waitlist Management

• Answer telephone calls and reservation inquiries professionally and promptly.
• Accurately enter, update, and confirm reservations using the designated reservation system.
• Maintain an organized and accurate waitlist during high-volume service periods.
• Provide realistic wait-time estimates and communicate updates to waiting guests.
• Record special occasions, accessibility needs, seating preferences, allergies, and other relevant guest information.
• Coordinate large-party reservations and special seating arrangements with management.
• Protect guest and member information in accordance with company confidentiality standards.

Seating and Dining Room Coordination

• Assign tables according to reservations, guest preferences, server availability, and established seating rotation procedures.
• Maintain a fair and balanced seating rotation among service staff.
• Monitor table status and dining room availability throughout each shift.
• Communicate table assignments, special requests, and guest information clearly to servers and managers.
• Coordinate with server assistants and service staff to ensure tables are clean, properly set, and ready before seating guests.
• Avoid over-seating individual service sections or seating guests at tables that are not fully prepared.
• Assist with adjusting seating plans based on weather, event needs, staffing levels, or operational changes.
• Help arrange tables and chairs to accommodate parties of different sizes.

Reception and Entry Area Maintenance

• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional host stand and guest reception area.
• Ensure menus, reservation materials, seating charts, communication devices, and supplies are clean and properly organized.
• Inspect menus regularly and remove damaged, stained, or outdated materials from service.
• Keep entrances, walkways, waiting areas, patios, and adjacent guest areas free of clutter and safety hazards.
• Monitor the appearance and readiness of guest-facing areas throughout the shift.
• Assist with light cleaning, table resetting, or service preparation when operational needs require.

Dining, Banquet, and Event Support

• Welcome and direct guests attending banquets, private events, and special functions.
• Verify guest lists, event locations, seating assignments, and event details before guest arrival.
• Assist with event check-in, name tags, place cards, seating charts, and directional signage.
• Coordinate with banquet staff and management regarding guest arrivals and seating needs.
• Help prepare reception areas and outdoor dining spaces for upcoming events.
• Assist with event setup and breakdown, including arranging tables, chairs, menus, decorations, and guest materials.
• Provide support to other food and beverage team members during high-volume periods.

Communication and Teamwork

• Maintain clear and professional communication with servers, server assistants, kitchen staff, banquet staff, and management.
• Attend pre-shift meetings and review reservations, special events, large parties, VIP guests, and operational updates.
• Immediately communicate seating delays, guest concerns, special accommodations, and service disruptions to management.
• Use radios, phones, reservation systems, and other communication equipment appropriately.
• Assist coworkers as needed to maintain efficient operations and exceptional guest service.
• Maintain a cooperative, respectful, and team-oriented attitude throughout each shift.

Safety and Compliance

• Follow all company safety, sanitation, emergency, and guest-service procedures.
• Maintain awareness of entrances, walkways, uneven surfaces, weather conditions, and other potential hazards.
• Clean or report spills and hazards immediately while minimizing guest disruption.
• Follow established heat-safety procedures and remain properly hydrated while working outdoors.
• Report damaged equipment, facility concerns, or unsafe conditions to management immediately.
• Follow all company policies, procedures, appearance standards, and confidentiality requirements.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend required meetings, orientation programs, and training sessions.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Arrive on time and prepared to work in the required uniform.
• Assist other departments as needed to support successful club operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Previous host, receptionist, restaurant, hospitality, country club, or customer-service experience preferred.
• Experience using restaurant reservation or table-management systems is a plus.
• Experience in fine dining, private clubs, resorts, or high-volume hospitality environments is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent guest-service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Friendly, welcoming, and professional demeanor.
• Ability to remain calm, courteous, and organized during busy service periods.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage reservations, waitlists, seating rotations, and multiple guest requests simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate professionally in person and by telephone.
• Strong teamwork, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to recognize sensitive guest concerns and involve management appropriately.
• Ability to learn menu information, club policies, event details, and service standards.
• Basic computer, tablet, and point-of-sale or reservation-system proficiency.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding members, guests, employees, and club operations.

Certifications

• Food Handler or Food Safety Certification may be required or must be obtained within the employer's required timeframe.
• Additional certifications may be required based on assigned duties and applicable state or local requirements.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
• Frequently bend, stoop, crouch, twist, stretch, and reach.
• Regularly lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to move menus, chairs, signage, guest materials, and light restaurant equipment.
• Perform repetitive hand and arm movements while using phones, tablets, reservation systems, and other equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly with guests and team members in a busy environment.
• Ability to safely navigate crowded dining areas, outdoor walkways, and uneven surfaces.

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in an outdoor, open-air dining and event environment. Team members may be routinely exposed to:

• High temperatures and humidity.
• Direct sunlight and prolonged UV exposure.
• Wind, rain, and changing weather conditions.
• Uneven walking surfaces.
• Loud, crowded, and fast-paced service environments.
• Frequent interaction with members, guests, employees, vendors, and event attendees.

Hosts and Hostesses must be able to work safely and effectively in outdoor conditions for the duration of their shift while maintaining exceptional guest service, following heat-safety procedures, staying properly hydrated, and wearing the required uniform and sun-protective attire.