Reception & Reservations Manager - LUSO NEW OPENING!

Luso; City Of London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A contemporary Portuguese restaurant in London seeks a Reception & Reservations Manager to oversee the reservations process and enhance guest experiences. This role includes managing booking platforms, leading the host teams, and working closely with restaurant managers to ensure high guest satisfaction. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and a background in guest relations. This position offers competitive salary and benefits including discounts and career growth opportunities.

Benefits

50% discount across all MJMK restaurants

Mental health support

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Extra holiday days

Enhanced pension plan after 5 years

Qualifications

• Experience in guest relations or front-of-house management in restaurant operation.
• Natural ability to build rapport with guests and staff.
• Problem-solving skills in high-pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the host teams to deliver a professional guest experience.
• Manage booking platforms and accuracy.
• Monitor reservations pace and maximise occupancy.
• Act as the first contact for special requests.

Skills

Strong background in reservations

Excellent communication skills

Knowledge of CRM systems

Organizational skills

Leadership qualities

Commercial awareness

Calm under pressure

Tools

SevenRooms

Job description

Reception & Reservations Manager - LUSO NEW OPENING!

Role Overview:

The Reception & Reservations Manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the reservations process and guest experience management. This role ensures seamless service from the point of booking through to post-dining feedback, while maximising reservations efficiency and maintaining best in class hospitality. This is a restaurant-based role that leads host teams, manages booking platforms, and works closely with restaurant managers to optimise guest satisfaction and repeat business.

Salary: Up to £45K per annum

Reception & Reservations Manager Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and train the host teams to deliver a warm, professional, and consistent guest experience in line with MJMK ethos.
• Manage booking platforms including SevenRooms, ensuring accuracy and optimisation of table turns.
• Monitor reservations pace, trends, and availability to maximise occupancy and revenue.
• Act as the first point of contact for special requests, and high-profile guests.
• Manage pre- and post-dining communication with guests, including handling enquiries, complaints, and feedback.
• Maintain and grow guest database, ensuring accurate profiles and preferences are logged.
• Work with restaurant managers to align front-of-house operations with guest experience objectives.
• Collaborate with marketing and events team to maximise covers.
• Lead the team of hosts and support restaurant operation, including checking in on tables, showing the restaurant space and being part of the guest experience.
• Connecting with guests during service and creating returning guests for the restaurants.

Reception & Reservations Manager Skills & Competencies:

• Strong background in reservations, guest relations, or front-of-house management in restaurant operation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a natural ability to build rapport with guests and staff.
• Knowledge of reservations and CRM systems (SevenRooms preferred)
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work under pressure.
• Leadership qualities with experience in training, coaching, and motivating teams.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of revenue management and guest retention.
• Calm under pressure, with a solution-focused approach to guest complaints and operational challenges.

What We Offer Our Reception & Reservations Manager:

• 50% discount across all MJMK restaurants
• Opportunity to develop your career growth with MJMK Restaurants
• Mental health & well-being support with Hospitality Action who can offer free advice and counselling
• Company Sick Pay after a year with us
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay after your first year with us
• Extra day’s holiday every year you’re with us, up to 33 days
• Enhanced pension plan after 5 years with us

About LUSO

Opening September 2025 on Charlotte Street, Luso is a contemporary Portuguese restaurant developed in collaboration with acclaimed chef Leandro Carreira, known for his bold, ingredient-led approach and time at the legendary Mugaritz. Taking the place of Lisboeta, Luso celebrates Portugal’s Iberian Atlantic coastline where land, sea, and centuries-old wood fire cooking traditions come together. Expect refined, modern expressions of iconic dishes alongside a wine list showcasing the richness of Portugal’s terroirs. Luso is the latest chapter from MJMK Restaurants a proud evolution that honours Lisboeta’s legacy while shaping a bold new future for the team and space.

About MJMK Restaurants:

MJMK Restaurants own and operate a collection of award-winning restaurants. Founded in 2018 by lifelong friends Jake Kasumov and Marco Mendes, our journey began with Casa do Frango. In 2020, we partnered with chef patron Santiago Lastra to open KOL, a fine dining restaurant in Marylebone celebrating Mexican cuisine with British ingredients. KOL has since earned a Michelin Star, named No. 17 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

In 2024 saw two new ventures: Fonda, a contemporary Mexican concept in Mayfair - our second collaboration with Santiago Lastra - and AngloThai in Marylebone, a debut restaurant from husband-and-wife John and Desiree Chantarasak, blending Thai flavours with British ingredients. Within three months of opening, AngloThai earned a Michelin star.

In the 2025 National Restaurant Awards, AngloThai was named The Square Opening of the Year and ranked 7th in the Top 100 list, followed by KOL at number 50.