Lead Host

Il Porcellino; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant Discounts

Employee Assistance

Paid Vacation

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

Life Insurance

Critical Illness Insurance

Domestic Partner Benefits

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Il Porcellino in downtown Chicago is seeking a Lead Host Staff to coordinate seating flow and serve as the first and last contact with guests. The role requires strong front-of-house leadership and a warm, professional demeanor.

Responsibilities include managing reservations and wait lists, guiding host team, training new hires, and ensuring accurate guest counts. Minimum 2 years of host experience in a high-volume setting is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of Host experience in a high-volume restaurant.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate guest seating and reservations for the host team
• Manage wait lists and provide accurate wait times
• Coordinate with management to ensure smooth table turnover
• Greet guests warmly and maintain professional demeanor
• Assist with Coat Check as needed
• Train and develop host employees

Skills

Host experience

Customer service

Communication

Tools

Reservation system

Telephone system

Voicemail system

Job description

We’re hiring people to join our team as LEAD HOST STAFF!

The Lead Host coordinates the flow of the restaurant and is the first and last point of contact with our guests.

Responsibilities include:

• coordinating guest seating and reservations for the host team
• effectively managing wait lists and providing accurate wait times
• coordinating with management to ensure smooth table turnover
• maintaining a professional, warm demeanor throughout each shift

At least 2 years of Host experience in a high-volume restaurant is required.

A Few of Our Lead Host Benefits:

• Restaurant Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program - Focusing on a Commitment to Mental Health & Wellness
• Paid Vacation for Qualifying Employees
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life, Accident Protection & Critical Illness Insurance
• Domestic Partner Benefits
• 401(k)

Il Porcellino, located in the heart of River North in downtown Chicago, is a neighborhood restaurant offering classic Italian‑American comfort food in a casual setting. Our seasonal menu focuses on housemade pastas, vegetable antipasti and daily specials, all crafted with ingredients sourced from quality artisans, purveyors and local farmers. Offering a bespoke cocktail program changing with the season, the fun and approachable wine program encourages sharing, with selections from southern and central Italy.

EOE. We participate in E-Verify / Participamos en E-Verify

Lead Hostsare responsible for host training, the maintenance of training manuals and upholding standards of guest service. Responsible for the initial warm greeting and seating of guests, answering of telephones, taking reservations and messages, maintaining accurate guest counts and wait times and saying goodbye to all guests. Assist with Coat Check duties as directed.

Essential Functions

• Interact with, direct, train and develop host employees in a fair and dignified manner
• Warmly greet and seat guests in the restaurant
• Answer telephones, and take orders, messages and reservations
• Available to work a variety of hours, days and shifts, including weekends
• Safely and effectively move chairs, tables, highchairs and booster seats
• Safely and effectively use and operate all necessary tools and equipment
• Ability to effectively communicate in order to perform and follow job requirements in written and spoken direction
• Multitask calmly and effectivelyunder pressure
• Work in a confined, crowded space of variable noise and temperature levels
• Able to move and lift up to 10 pounds, frequently move and/or lift up to 25 pounds, and occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand and walk for an entire shift and move safely through all areas of the restaurant, which may include stairs, uneven or slick surfaces

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure the overall guest experience exceeds expectations and anticipate guests’ needs
• Greet guests with a warm, sincere smile
• Use tact and good judgement when dealing with guest challenges and respond to guest needs with patience and courtesy
• Assist with processing hosts’ new-hire paperwork
• Schedule, conduct and/or oversee all aspects new-hire and on‑going host training
• Review and maintain host manuals and training materials
• Observe host employees’ service standards and communicate observations to Management, Partners and Trainers; Assist in developing and implementing necessary plans of action
• Assist with maintaining and updating restaurant’s “zoning” procedures
• Use proper phone and voicemail etiquette and guidelines
• Assist with clearing, cleaning and resetting tables and maintaining restrooms
• Sell and accurately account for gift cards
• Understand and respond knowledgeably to questions about the restaurant and menu
• Follow all steps of service
• Understand and follow the food allergy procedure and special orders/restrictions
• Proficiency in the use and operation of all necessary tools and equipment, including the reservation, telephone, paging and voicemail systems
• Comply with all safety and sanitation guidelines and procedures
• Successfully complete alcohol awareness training
• Follow all rules, policies, procedures and conditions of employment, including those outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Get along well with others and be a team player
• Other duties will be assigned as needed