Lead Host

Lettuce-Entertain-You; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant Discounts

EAP Wellness Program

Paid Vacations for QualifyingEmployees

BCBS Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Life, Accident & Critical Illness Ins.

Domestic Partner Benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Lettuce-Entertain-You is seeking a Lead Host to coordinate guest seating and reservations at Antico Posto in Oak Brook. You will greet guests warmly, manage wait lists, and ensure smooth table turnover while acting as the primary contact for guests and collaborating with the front-of-house team.

The role requires 2 years of host experience in a high-volume restaurant, reliability across varied shifts, and a commitment to exceptional guest service and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Must have 2 years of Host experience in high-volume restaurant.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the flow of the restaurant and manage guest seating and reservations.
• Provide the first and last point of contact for all guests and ensure a smooth seating process.
• Lead Host duties include greeting guests, answering calls, taking reservations, and managing wait lists.

Skills

Host experience

High-volume restaurant

Guest seating coordination

Customer service

Job description

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

Must have 2 years of Host experience in high-volume restaurant.

As Lead Host, you will:

• coordinate the flow of the restaurant


• provide the first and last point of contact for all of our guests.

If you have the skills to warmly and professionally coordinate guest seating/reservations, manage wait lists and ensure a smooth table turnover -- this role might be a great match for you!

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)

Antico Posto is a cozy Italian restaurant and wine bar serving Italian classics daily in Oakbrook Center. House specialties include handmade pastas, gnocchi, ravioli, hot and cold antipasti, brick oven hand-stretched pizzas and house-churned gelato. Antico Posto’s wine list includes Italian, Californian and Washington varietals, and features more than 50 wines available by the glass and bottle. Antico Posto also has a private dining room and seasonal patio.

Caring. Creative. Careers.

Lettuce is a culinary-driven restaurant company with a genuine commitment to our people: we welcome unique perspectives and nurture diverse talents at over 90 locations, supported by our Culture of Caring. We proudly serve guests at more than 55 concepts ranging from fast casual to fine dining restaurants.

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

LEAD HOST JOB DESCRIPTION

Lead Hosts are 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 telephone, 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