Head Waiter/tress

Delano Hotels; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Colleague benefits

Hotel stays

Group experiences

Job summary

Delano London is seeking a Head Waiter/waitress to join the pre-opening team, leading a floor section with warmth, polish and personality. Based at Lana Lusa, you’ll mentor junior staff, deliver exceptional service, and drive guest satisfaction with strong wine knowledge and menu guidance.

Join a creative, fast-growing international lifestyle brand as part of a collaborative team shaping the guest journey from day one.

Qualifications

• Head waiter experience in premium or luxury hospitality.
• Excellent communication and guest relations skills.
• Strong knowledge of wine and beverage service.
• Ability to coach and develop junior team members.
• Organised and capable of multitasking across multiple tables.
• Commercial instinct with ability to upsell in a guest-led manner.
• Flexible to work breakfast, evenings, weekends and key hospitality moments.

Responsibilities

• Lead a section during service and set the standard for pace and hospitality.
• Welcome guests, read tables, and personalise service.
• Oversee full dining journey from menu guidance to payment and farewell.
• Develop knowledge of food, wine and beverages to make recommendations.
• Support wine service and coordinate with culinary, bar and runners.
• Coordinate with other teams to ensure accurate orders and smooth service.
• Lead pre-service checks and briefings; train and onboard during pre-opening.
• Communicate VIPs and special requests to the team.
• Handle guest concerns and involve management when needed.
• Support other F&B areas when required.

Job description

Company Description

Opening in late 2026, Delano London brings the spirit and celebrated heritage of the iconic Delano Miami Beach to London, reimagined for a new generation. Set overlooking Kensington Gardens, the hotel will feature 67 rooms and suites, Lana Lusa, the legendary Rose Bar and Rose Lounge, alongside The Source wellness offering.

Delano is a place where personality, creativity and genuine connection come together. We value curiosity, individuality and a sense of fun, creating an environment where our people can be themselves while delivering thoughtful, intuitive and genuinely warm hospitality.

Delano London is part of Ennismore, a global collective of entrepreneurial, founder-built brands rooted in creativity, culture and community, and a joint venture with Accor.

Joining Delano London means being part of something from the very beginning. It is an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of an iconic brand, work alongside an ambitious and creative team and play a part in creating a hotel that feels distinctly Delano from day one.

Job Description

We are seeking an exceptional Head Waiter/tress to join the pre-opening team of Delano London. Based primarily in Lana Lusa, our all-day restaurant, you'll be a senior presence on the floor, leading by example and helping create a style of service that is polished, warm, intuitive and full of personality.

What You'll Do

• Lead a section during service and act as a role model for waiters and runners, setting the standard for pace, detail and genuine hospitality.
• Welcome and engage guests confidently, reading the table and adapting your style so service feels personal rather than scripted.
• Take ownership of the full dining journey, from menu guidance and order taking through to pacing, check-backs, payment and farewell.
• Develop strong knowledge of food, wine and beverages and use it naturally to make recommendations and drive average spend.
• Support wine service and confidently introduce guests to the wine list and cellar selection in partnership with the beverage team.
• Coordinate closely with Culinary, bar and runners to ensure accurate orders, smooth pacing and excellent table maintenance.
• Lead pre-service mise en place, section checks and briefings and ensure standards remain consistent throughout the shift.
• Coach junior team members in the moment and support training, onboarding and product knowledge during the pre-opening period and beyond.
• Recognise VIPs, regulars, celebrations, allergies and special requests and communicate relevant details clearly to the wider team.
• Handle initial guest concerns confidently and involve management when appropriate.
• Support Private Dining, Room Service or other Food & Beverage areas when operationally required.
• Follow all food safety, Health & Safety, cash handling and company procedures.

Qualifications

What we're looking for...

• You have strong senior waiter/tress or head waiter/tress experience in a premium restaurant, luxury hotel or high-quality lifestyle operation.
• You are a natural host with excellent communication skills and confident, polished floor presence.
• You have strong food and beverage knowledge, including a good understanding of wine and classic service techniques.
• You enjoy developing others and are comfortable giving direction without losing warmth or teamwork.
• You are organised, attentive and able to manage several tables and priorities without making service feel rushed.
• You have commercial instinct and are comfortable recommending and selling in a genuine, guest-led way.
• You are flexible to work breakfast, evenings, weekends and key hospitality moments.

What's In It For You

• The opportunity to launch Delano London and help shape the Food & Beverage experience from day one, with real influence over the culture and service style.
• Join an innovative, fast-growing, international group that's committed to not just building new hotels but building a global brand.
• The chance to challenge the norm and help create venues that can become both neighbourhood favourites and destinations in their own right, in an environment that is creative and rewarding.
• Become part of a team that's passionate about creating great hospitality experiences, bringing together design, dining, nightlife and culture in a distinctly Delano way.
• Plenty of opportunity for development as the hotel and the wider brand continue to grow.

Additional Information

Why Delano London?

Be part of the team bringing an iconic brand into its next chapter. At Delano London, personality counts, ideas are welcomed and everyone plays a part in creating something memorable. We work hard, make it fun and look out for one another, with opportunities to learn, grow and build meaningful relationships across Delano, Ennismore and Accor.

Alongside a supportive and creative team culture, you’ll have access to a range of colleague benefits, hotel stays and experiences across the wider group, and the opportunity to work within a global community of distinctive lifestyle and hospitality brands.