Head Host

Hospitality ON; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Department incentives + £1,300 bonus

Free UK/Ireland stays (4 nights/yr)

Employee benefit card – global rates

Sofitel Experience + breakfast

Complimentary meals on duty

Special rates in F&B, Rooms & Spa

Training & development opportunities

Employee assistance program, 24/7 GP

Social events and activities

Job summary

Sofitel London St James in London is seeking a Head Host to lead the Host and Hostesses team, delivering a seamless, personalised guest experience from arrival to departure. The role oversees reservations, guest relations, front-of-house organisation, VIP management, and related SOPs in line with luxury standards.

The Head Host will also coach staff, drive revenue through strategic bookings, manage guest profiles, and ensure impeccable service while maintaining the brand’s high standards and

Qualifications

• Experience as Host, Reception, or Restaurant Supervisor in luxury settings.
• Strong knowledge of reservation and table management systems.
• Experience with cashiering, payments, voucher redemption, and financial reconciliation.
• Excellent leadership and guest service skills, including VIP handling.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Host Team, ensuring exceptional service, grooming, presentation, and professionalism at all times.
• Manage all restaurant reservations across multiple platforms, ensuring accuracy, effective table management, and optimal guest flow.
• Maintain detailed guest profiles, preferences, and VIP records to deliver personalised and memorable experiences.
• Lead daily briefings, communicating bookings, VIPs, operational priorities, and service updates clearly to the team.
• Collaborate closely with Restaurant Management, Floor Teams, Kitchen, and Reservations to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery.
• Monitor guest satisfaction, handling feedback and complaints professionally and implementing improvements where required.
• Ensure all reservation enquiries and guest communications are responded to promptly, professionally, and in accordance with luxury hospitality and brand standards.
• Oversee the F&B Reservations function in the absence of the Executive Reservations Manager, ensuring continuity of service and taking responsibility for reservation operations.
• Record reservation information accurately, ensuring guest preferences, dietary requirements, special occasions, and VIP details are captured and communicated effectively.
• Support revenue generation through strategic reservation management, upselling opportunities, private dining enquiries, and minimising cancellations and no-shows.
• Maintain a welcoming, elegant, and organised restaurant environment, ensuring luxury hospitality standards are consistently met.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to Hosts, promoting service excellence and continuous development.

Skills

Host/Reception experience

Restaurant supervisor

Leadership & people management

VIP guest handling

Tools

Reservation systems

Cashiering & payments

Voucher redemption

Job description

At Sofitel London St James, we redefine luxury by treating a stay as more than just a temporary pause—it's an opportunity for guests to fall in love with a unique blend of refined luxury and playful indulgence. Our commitment to excellence transcends the ordinary, and we invite you to join a team that specialises in transforming stays into enchanting tales. We take immense pride in creating a playfully elegant and meaningful experience for both our guests and ourselves. Our commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, encourages professional growth, and recognises individual contributions ensures that each team member feels appreciated and empowered in their role. To embark on a career that transcends expectations and celebrates the art of hospitality.

Company Description

At Sofitel London St James, we redefine luxury by treating a stay as more than just a temporary pause—it's an opportunity for guests to fall in love with a unique blend of refined luxury and playful indulgence. Our commitment to excellence transcends the ordinary, and we invite you to join a team that specialises in transforming stays into enchanting tales. We take immense pride in creating a playfully elegant and meaningful experience for both our guests and ourselves. Our commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, encourages professional growth, and recognises individual contributions ensures that each team member feels appreciated and empowered in their role. To embark on a career that transcends expectations and celebrates the art of hospitality.

Job Description

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Head Host is responsible for leading the Host and Hostesses team to deliver a seamless, professional, and personalised guest experience from arrival to departure. This role oversees reservations, guest relations, front-of-house organisation, VIP management, and hostess operations while maintaining the highest standards of luxury hospitality in line with Wild Honey St James and Sofitel standards. The position is also responsible for overseeing voucher redemption, cashiering procedures, PM account management, and related SOP compliance, ensuring operational efficiency, financial accuracy, and exceptional guest service at all times.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Host Team, ensuring exceptional service, grooming, presentation, and professionalism at all times.
• Manage all restaurant reservations across multiple platforms, ensuring accuracy, effective table management, and optimal guest flow.
• Maintain detailed guest profiles, preferences, and VIP records to deliver personalised and memorable experiences.
• Lead daily briefings, communicating bookings, VIPs, operational priorities, and service updates clearly to the team.
• Collaborate closely with Restaurant Management, Floor Teams, Kitchen, and Reservations to ensure smooth and efficient service delivery.
• Monitor guest satisfaction, handling feedback and complaints professionally and implementing improvements where required.
• Ensure all reservation enquiries and guest communications are responded to promptly, professionally, and in accordance with luxury hospitality and brand standards.
• Oversee the F&B Reservations function in the absence of the Executive Reservations Manager, ensuring continuity of service and taking responsibility for reservation operations.
• Record reservation information accurately, ensuring guest preferences, dietary requirements, special occasions, and VIP details are captured and communicated effectively.
• Support revenue generation through strategic reservation management, upselling opportunities, private dining enquiries, and minimising cancellations and no-shows.
• Maintain a welcoming, elegant, and organised restaurant environment, ensuring luxury hospitality standards are consistently met.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to Hosts, promoting service excellence and continuous development.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a Host, Reception, or Restaurant Supervisor role, ideally within a luxury hotel or fine dining environment.
• Strong knowledge of reservation and table management systems, with the ability to manage guest flow and maximise restaurant capacity.
• Experience in cashiering, payment processing, voucher redemption, and financial reconciliation procedures.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with experience training, coaching, and developing team members.
• Outstanding communication and guest service skills, with the ability to handle VIP guests, resolve complaints professionally, and build positive guest relationships.
  

Additional Information

Discover a world of unparalleled perks tailored just for you:

• Competitive compensation package, including departmental incentives andannual bonus of £1.300,00 per year.
• Free Stays in the UK or Ireland (4 nights/year) – Create unforgettable memories with your loved ones.
• Employee Benefit Card – Discounted rates at Accor properties worldwide.
• Sofitel Experience – Enjoy a luxurious night at our hotel, complete with a delightful breakfast.
• Complimentary Meals While on Duty.
• Special Rates in F&B, Rooms & Spa – Treat yourself to luxury at unbeatable prices.
• Be Part of the Largest Hospitality Group in Europe.
• Exceptional Training and Development Opportunities through Apprenticeship Program.
• Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 GP Access – Your well-being is our priority.
• Social Events and Activities.

Bring passion and dedication to excellence, and we will recogniseyour contribution with a variety of benefits, rewards and developmentopportunities. We also offer a range of wellbeing initiatives, including appswith content to help you feel at your best. Join us, and you can thrive as anindividual as well as being part of a supportive and inclusive team.