Lead Server

Olympia Hospitality; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Olympia Hospitality is seeking a friendly and professional Server to join our team in Portland, ME. You will greet guests, take orders, and ensure a seamless dining experience through effective communication with guests and kitchen staff.

Responsibilities include presenting menus, answering questions about dishes, handling POS transactions, and maintaining a clean, welcoming dining area. Experience preferred; must be of legal age to serve alcohol in the state of Maine.

Qualifications

• Provide high-quality customer service and guest relations.
• Demonstrate effective communication with guests and team members.
• Follow instructions accurately and learn quickly on the job.
• Maintain composure and focus while working under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly, escort to tables, and present menus, specials, and promotions.
• Assist guests with menu selections, answer questions about ingredients and dietary restrictions.
• Take orders accurately and enter into POS system, relay special requests to kitchen.
• Serve food and beverages with proper portioning, presentation, and temperature.
• Monitor and maintain cleanliness of tableware and dining area.
• Anticipate guest needs and provide proactive assistance and refills.
• Coordinate timing with kitchen and bar staff for timely service.
• Communicate any allergies or dietary restrictions to ensure proper meal preparation.
• Relay guest feedback to management for prompt resolution.
• Process payments securely and provide receipts.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Attention to detail

Composure under pressure

Job description

We’re more than just a team – we’re a community dedicated to making a difference every day.

At Olympia Hospitality, we create a fun, supportive environment where growth never stops, and success is celebrated together. Guided by our values of continuous improvement, accountability, concern for others, and trust, we foster a culture of collaboration and integrity. If you’re passionate, driven, and ready to thrive, we’d love to have you on our team.

At Olympia Hospitality, we believe in supporting our employees both in and out of the workplace. When you join us, you’re not just getting a job – you’re joining a family-first organization that cares about your health and wellness, your future, and your overall satisfaction.

Here’s how we show our commitment:

• Health Coverage That Works for You: We contribute up to 80% toward individual health plans and offer affordable dental and vision insurance. Plus, with FSA and HSA options, you can plan for your healthcare costs your way.
• Secure Your Future: With our 401K plan and discretionary yearly match, you can build the financial future you deserve.
• Peace of Mind: We provide paid group term life insurance for select positions, 50% shared cost short-term disability, and you have the option to purchase additional employee paid life insurance.
• Time for You: Enjoy our robust PTO plan and 7 paid holidays to maintain work-life balance. Need quick access to your paycheck? Our earned wage access program has you covered!
• Additional Support: From our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to a sober support network, and our commitment to being a recovery-friendly workplace, we're here to help you thrive personally and professionally.
• Perks: Love to travel? Enjoy exclusive hotel travel discounts as a member of our team. Additional benefits may be available based on property specific locations!

We’re more than just a business—we’re a values-driven organization that believes in creating an environment where every team member can thrive. Our core values guide everything we do, from how we interact with each other to how we serve our guests and community. Join us at Olympia Hospitality and take the next step toward a fulfilling, balanced, and supported career.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests warmly upon arrival, escort them to their tables, and present menus, specials, and promotions in a friendly and professional manner.
• Assist guests with menu selections, provide recommendations, and answer questions about ingredients, preparation methods, and dietary restrictions.
• Take food and beverage orders accurately and enter them into the POS (point-of-sale) system promptly, ensuring special requests and modifications are communicated clearly to the kitchen.
• Serve food and beverages to guests efficiently and accurately, ensuring proper portioning, presentation, and temperature of items.
• Monitor tableware, glassware, and utensils for cleanliness and hygiene, and replace or replenish items as needed to maintain a neat and tidy dining environment.
• Anticipate guests' needs throughout their meal and provide proactive assistance and refills to enhance their dining experience.
• Collaborate with kitchen and bar staff to coordinate the timing of food and beverage service, ensuring that orders are prepared and delivered to guests in a timely manner.
• Communicate any special requests, dietary restrictions, or allergies to the kitchen and ensure that meals are prepared accordingly to meet guests' preferences and requirements.
• Relay guest feedback, comments, and concerns to the management team to ensure prompt resolution and guest satisfaction.
• Process guest payments accurately, handle cash and credit card transactions securely, and present bills and receipts promptly at the end of each meal.

Skills Required

• Provide high-level customer service, communicate effectively with guests and team members, follow instructions, ability to learn quickly, pay attention to detail, and maintain composure when working under pressure

Experience / Education

• Experience as a Server is preferred; must be of legal age if serving alcohol

The Olympia Companies is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to qualified applicants without regard to such characteristics as race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status or any other factor protected by applicable law.