Lead Host

Indienne New York | 515 W 38th Street, New York, NY

Chef Sujan Sarkar's Indian tasting menu concept, Indienne , is seeking an experienced, polished, and hospitality-driven Lead Host to join our Front-of-House leadership team.

The Lead Host is responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the host stand while ensuring every guest receives a warm, personalized, and seamless experience from arrival through departure. This role serves as the primary liaison between the host team, management, and the dining room, maintaining reservation accuracy, dining room pacing, and exceptional guest communication.

The Lead Host is an hourly leadership position responsible for directing the daily activities of the host team while actively participating in service. This individual leads by example, maintains the highest standards of hospitality, and ensures the reservation book, seating strategy, and guest communications support a smooth and successful service.

The ideal candidate is organized, poised under pressure, detail-oriented, and passionate about delivering exceptional hospitality.

• Lead and supervise the Host team throughout service.
• Assign responsibilities and ensure proper coverage of the host stand.
• Coach and mentor Hosts while reinforcing service standards and hospitality expectations.
• Partner with management to improve guest experience, reservation strategy, and operational efficiency.
• Assist in training and onboarding new Host team members.
• Maintain professionalism and composure while resolving guest concerns.

• Welcome every guest with warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.
• Create memorable first and last impressions for every guest.
• Anticipate guest needs and personalize the experience whenever possible.
• Communicate reservation updates, wait times, and seating expectations with confidence and professionalism.
• Handle VIP guests, industry guests, regulars, and special requests with discretion and attention to detail.

• Manage the reservation book using Resy while maximizing seating efficiency and maintaining proper pacing.
• Maintain accurate guest profiles, including allergies, dietary restrictions, celebrations, preferences, and visit history.
• Coordinate table assignments with management to optimize service flow without compromising the guest experience.
• Monitor reservation trends and communicate opportunities or challenges to management.

• Serve as the communication bridge between the host stand, management, kitchen, and service team.
• Communicate guest information to Captains, Sommeliers, and Managers before arrival.
• Support service during busy periods and assist other departments when needed.
• Foster a collaborative, positive, and solutions-oriented work environment.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional host stand.
• Ensure all menus, reservation systems, phones, and guest materials are prepared before service.
• Follow all company standards, policies, and grooming expectations.
• Complete administrative and operational tasks assigned by management.

• Minimum 3 years of Host experience , with at least 1 year in a Lead Host or supervisory role in a fine dining or Michelin-level restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of Resy or comparable reservation platforms.
• Outstanding communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to multitask under pressure.
• Professional appearance and polished demeanor.
• Passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
• Ability to lead by example while motivating and supporting teammates.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

• Join the team behind Chef Sujan Sarkar's acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant.
• Work alongside an experienced hospitality leadership team dedicated to excellence.
• Be part of a culture built on professionalism, teamwork, and genuine hospitality.
• Opportunities for continued growth and advancement within a growing restaurant group.
• Help deliver one of New York City's premier fine dining experiences.

This position requires standing and walking for extended periods (7–10 hours), frequent movement throughout the restaurant, and the ability to bend, reach, and occasionally lift or carry items as needed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the role.

This job description outlines the primary responsibilities of the position but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. Responsibilities may evolve based on the operational needs of the restaurant. Indienne New York reserves the right to modify or assign additional responsibilities as necessary.