Ankeny, IA - Host (30811)

Paycom - ATS; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

B&B Theatres in Ankeny, IA is seeking a part-time Host/Hostess to warmly welcome guests, manage seating, and provide information about the restaurant and services.

You will escort guests to tables, maintain waiting lists, coordinate with servers and kitchen staff, and ensure a clean, friendly front-of-house experience for all guests. Evening, weekend, and holiday shifts are required.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Must obtain required food service certifications.
• Experience in customer service in a fast-paced environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly and manage seating arrangements.
• Provide menus and answer initial inquiries about the restaurant or services.
• Escort guests to tables and manage wait list.
• Coordinate with servers and kitchen for smooth service.
• Maintain clean host stand, lobby, and entrance areas.
• Handle reservations and guest requests professionally.
• Ensure exceptional guest experience and respond to feedback.

Skills

Positive attitude

Communication skills

Friendly personality

Customer service

Pressure tolerance

Education

R-Serving certification

Food Handler certification

Food Manager certification

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Ankeny 12 - Ankeny, IA 50023, Position Type: Part Time, Education Level: None, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Any, Job Category: Food & Beverage, Our Mission & Core Values:

Our Mission & Core Values:

Each job at B&B Theatres is different and requires varied levels of experience, knowledge, and competency. Each position, however, contributes to the same goal: creating experiences for our guests that are magical, meaningful, and memorable.

Whether you are applying for a position as a frontline employee, a manager, a member of the payables team, facilities maintenance, kitchen staff or bartender, your end goal is the same.

We want all members of our employee family to find joy in their work and have fun as they work together to bring the magic of the movies and incredible entertainment experiences to our guests.

Your job is to fulfill your delegations as outlined here, sure, but also to embrace and represent our core values: family, fun, innovation, joy, and integrity. Knowing and living those values will bring professional satisfaction to you and ensure that our guests experience the magic they expect from B&B Theatres.

Please note: Our theatres are open 365 days a year, and holidays are often our busiest times. While we value family time, flexibility in scheduling is important.

Job Overview:

The Host/Hostess plays a crucial role in creating a positive first and lasting impression for our restaurant and suites guests. This position is responsible for warmly welcoming guests, managing seating arrangements efficiently, providing initial information and assistance, and ensuring a smooth and hospitable dining experience. The Host/Hostess serves as a key point of contact, contributing directly to guest satisfaction and the overall efficiency of the front-of-house operations.

Hours: This job requires you to work during the evening, on weekends, and occasionally on holidays.

Key Responsibilities:

• Greeting guests arriving with a welcoming and professional demeanor.
• Manage guest flow, including maintaining an accurate waiting list when necessary.
• Provide guests with menus and address initial inquiries about the restaurant or services.
• Escort guests to their preferred tables or seating areas.
• Strategically manage table rotation to ensure equitable distribution of guests among servers.
• Proactively engage with seated guests to ensure their satisfaction with the food and service.
• Respond to guest feedback and complaints with professionalism and escalates issues to management when necessary.
• Answer telephone calls promptly and courteously, take reservations accurately, and respond to inquiries.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the restaurant menu and any current specials.
• Collaborate effectively with bussers, cooks, and other restaurant staff to ensure seamless service.
• Assist with other front-of-house tasks as needed to support overall operations.
• Always provide exceptional customer service.
• Maintain a clean and organized host/hostess station and guest waiting areas.
• Cross-departmental training may be required based on location and operational requirements.
• Perform any other duties as delegated or directed by a supervisor.

Qualifications: General Qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Positive attitude and excellent communication skills.
• Neat appearance and engaging, friendly personality.
• Efficient, observant, knowledgeable, and personable.
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast‑paced environment, collaborating with various team members.
• Previous experience in a customer service role within a fast‑paced environment is highly desirable.
• Must be willing to obtain R-Serving (for candidates 21+), Food Handler, and/or Food Manager certifications in accordance with state, county, and location‑specific requirements. Religious exemptions are available upon request with written documentation for liquor liability certification. All required certifications will be paid for by the company.

Essential Functions

• Greet and welcome guests promptly and courteously upon arrival.
• Manage guest seating and reservations efficiently, coordinating table assignments to optimize flow.
• Communicate with servers, kitchen staff, and management to ensure smooth service and guest satisfaction.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of the host stand, lobby, and entrance areas.
• Assist with guest inquiries, concerns, or special requests in a professional and friendly manner.
• Monitor wait times and manage guest expectations, providing accurate updates as needed.
• Work collaboratively with team members to support overall restaurant operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure excellent guest experience and smooth operations.

Physical Demands

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift, with limited opportunities to sit.
• Frequent use of hands and arms to handle menus, reservation tools, guest items, and other objects.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or reach as needed to access storage areas, seating, or supplies.
• Ability to move, lift, stock, and transport boxes, supplies, or other items weighing up to 35 pounds safely.
• Physical stamina to remain in constant motion while coordinating and organizing guest seating, staff, and processes in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to work in environments with variable noise levels, lighting, and temperature conditions.

These essential functions and physical demands are representative of the requirements necessary to perform this role. Employees must be able to carry out these functions with or without reasonable accommodation.