Head Hostess / Head Host

Saona restaurant; Dubai; On-site; AED 89,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

Saona restaurant in Dubai is seeking a reception lead to manage the front-of-house experience, directing the arrival, seating and guest flow for busy service periods.

You will coordinate with the reservations and floor teams to optimize table allocation, monitor guest progress and handle VIPs or special requests with tact and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Typically, two to three years of restaurant hosting experience with team-leading responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of table planning and busy restaurant service.
• Confident communication, sound judgement and practical complaint-handling skills.
• Experience with a digital reservations system.

Responsibilities

• Lead reception briefings and assign hosting duties for each service.
• Review reservations, expected covers, large parties, VIP arrivals and special requests.
• Prepare and maintain the table allocation plan in coordination with the floor team.
• Supervise the welcome, waiting list, seating process and departure experience.
• Monitor table readiness and dining progress, adjusting allocations without rushing guests.
• Coordinate late arrivals, party-size changes and walk-ins within approved booking policies.
• Resolve reception complaints and elevate exceptions requiring management approval.
• Ensure relevant guest requests reach the service team before seating.
• Train hostesses in guest communication, booking-system use and handling difficult situations.
• Arrange reception coverage and breaks in coordination with the Reservations Manager.
• Check guest records for accuracy and ensure sensitive information is handled discreetly.
• Provide an end-of-service handover covering no-shows, cancellations, guest feedback and unresolved matters.

Skills

Table planning

Guest communication

Judgement

Complaint handling

Digital reservations system

Tools

Booking system

Job description

Department: Front of House
Reports to: Reservations Manager
Coordinates with: Restaurant Manager and Floor Supervisor
Location: Dubai

Role purpose

Lead the reception team and manage the arrival and seating process, balancing guest preferences with restaurant capacity and service readiness.

Key responsibilities

• Lead reception briefings and assign hosting duties for each service.

• Review reservations, expected covers, large parties, VIP arrivals and special requests.

• Prepare and maintain the table allocation plan in coordination with the floor team.

• Supervise the welcome, waiting list, seating process and departure experience.

• Monitor table readiness and dining progress, adjusting allocations without rushing guests.

• Coordinate late arrivals, party-size changes and walk-ins within approved booking policies.

• Resolve reception complaints and elevate exceptions requiring management approval.

• Ensure relevant guest requests reach the service team before seating.

• Train hostesses in guest communication, booking-system use and handling difficult situations.

• Arrange reception coverage and breaks in coordination with the Reservations Manager.

• Check guest records for accuracy and ensure sensitive information is handled discreetly.

• Provide an end-of-service handover covering no-shows, cancellations, guest feedback and unresolved matters.

Experience and skills

• Typically, two to three years of restaurant hosting experience, including team-leading responsibilities.

• Strong understanding of table planning and busy restaurant service.

• Confident communication, sound judgement and practical complaint-handling skills.

• Experience with a digital reservations system.

Desired Candidate Profile

with Experience