Lead Server - Alila Napa Valley

Alila Hotels; Napa (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Free hotel nights

Wellness reimbursement

Forbes Five-Star team

Job summary

Alila Napa Valley is seeking a Lead Server to join our luxury dining team in Napa Valley. You will maintain your own guest section, deliver attentive service, and lead by example to uphold Forbes Five-Star standards across Violetto and Salvia Terrace.

The role requires strong leadership, accountability, and detail orientation, with responsibilities including opening/closing the outlet and guiding fellow colleagues during peak service periods.

Qualifications

• Previous serving experience required in luxury hotel, fine dining, or upscale restaurant setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform server responsibilities in assigned section with personalized, attentive service.
• Lead by example and uphold Forbes Five-Star service standards.
• Maintain knowledge of menus, ingredients, wine, and beverages.
• Open and close outlet procedures and ensure side work and checklists are completed.

Skills

Server experience

Leadership

Guest service

Attention to detail

Tools

POS/FOH systems

Job description

Summary

At Hyatt, we believe our guests select Hyatt because of our caring and attentive associates who are focused on providing efficient service and meaningful experiences.

Organization- Alila Napa Valley

Located in the heart of the Napa Valley, Alila Napa Valley blends luxury, sustainability, and a genuine sense of care. Hyatt supports internal career opportunities, job enrichment, and a caring work environment. We are currently seeking a detail-oriented Lead Server to support our restaurant outlets, Violetto and Salvia Terrace.

The Lead Server is first and foremost an active member of the service team, performing all responsibilities of a Server and maintaining their own section and guest experience. In addition, the Lead Server is a trusted service leader who leads by example, helps Food & Beverage management maintain established service and operational standards, and serves as a resource for fellow colleagues. The Lead Server may also be entrusted with opening or closing the outlet without a Food & Beverage Manager physically present. During these designated periods, the Lead Server is responsible for ensuring established opening or closing procedures are completed, verifying side work and checklists, communicating operational concerns to management, and properly securing the outlet. This position is ideal for an experienced server who demonstrates strong leadership, accountability, and attention to detail and is interested in taking on additional responsibility while remaining actively engaged in service. The hourly range we reasonably expect to pay for this position is $23.00 - $26.00.

Why Work with Us

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Paid time off from date of hire
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 12 free nights at Hyatt Hotels worldwide per year + colleague rates
• $1000 annual wellness/educational reimbursement
• A unique opportunity to lead in a Forbes-rated luxury setting with a close-knit, passionate team

Be a part of a team committed to delivering personalized, elevated service in one of Napa Valley's most serene and sophisticated destinations. Hyatt associates work in an environment that demands exceptional performance yet reaps great rewards. Whether it is career opportunities, job enrichment, or a supportive work environment, if you are ready for this challenge, then we are ready for you.

Responsibilities

Guest Service & Service Excellence

• Perform all responsibilities associated with the Server position, including maintaining an assigned section and providing personalized, attentive, and knowledgeable food and beverage service.
• Lead by example on the restaurant floor, consistently modeling professionalism, urgency, attention to detail, and genuine care for guests and colleagues. Uphold and execute Forbes Five-Star service standards across all food and beverage outlets
• and supporting Michelin-level dining experiences in Violetto.
• Maintain strong knowledge of menus, ingredients, preparation techniques, allergens, wine, spirits, and other beverage offerings.
• Assist fellow colleagues during periods of high volume while continuing to maintain responsibility for their own guests and assigned section.
• Recognize guest concerns and service-recovery opportunities, taking appropriate immediate action within established guidelines and involving Food & Beverage management when necessary.
• Participate in ongoing food, wine, beverage, and service education.

Team Leadership & Standards

• Serve as a leader and role model for Servers, Server Assistants, Hosts, and other Food & Beverage colleagues.
• Help Food & Beverage management maintain established service, cleanliness, presentation, and operational standards throughout the outlet.
• Provide in-the-moment guidance to colleagues regarding established service standards and procedures.
• Serve as a resource for the service team regarding menu knowledge, restaurant procedures, and service expectations.
• Assist with the training of new Food & Beverage colleagues.
• Support a positive, collaborative, and respectful work environment.
• Maintain effective communication between the service team, culinary team, and Food & Beverage management.
• Communicate guest feedback, operational challenges, maintenance needs, and opportunities for improvement to management.

Opening & Closing Responsibilities

• Open or close the Food & Beverage outlet in accordance with established Hyatt and Alila Napa Valley procedures and check lists
• Complete and verify all required opening and closing checklists.
• Ensure assigned opening or closing side work has been completed accurately and established standards.
• Verify that service colleagues have completed their assigned responsibilities before leaving at the conclusion of their shift.
• Inspect the restaurant, service stations, and applicable guest areas for cleanliness, organization, and readiness.
• Ensure equipment and supplies are properly cleaned, stocked, stored, and secured.
• Coordinate the completion of remaining closing responsibilities when a Food & Beverage Manager is not physically present.
• Complete required end-of-shift documentation and communicate relevant information to Food & Beverage management.
• Document and communicate guest concerns, service issues, maintenance needs, safety concerns, or operational irregularities requiring management follow-up.
• Conduct a final walkthrough of the outlet to confirm established operational, cleanliness, and safety standards have met.
• Follow all established closing and security procedures.
• Properly secure and lock the outlet at the conclusion of operations when assigned and authorized to do so.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support other Food & Beverage outlets and experiences throughout Alila Napa Valley as business needs require.
• Maintain all applicable sanitation, safety, and responsible beverage service standards.
• Complete assigned opening, closing, and side-work responsibilities.
• Perform additional duties assigned by Food & Beverage management.

The Lead Server is an hourly service position and remains an active Server during regular operations. The additional leadership responsibilities of this position are intended to support the service team and help management maintain established standards. The Lead Server does not independently administer disciplinary action, make hiring or termination decisions, create employee schedules, approve timecards, or conduct formal performance management. Matters requiring management authority should be documented and communicated to Food & Beverage leadership for appropriate follow-up.

Qualifications

• A true desire to satisfy the needs of others in a fast-paced luxury hospitality environment.
• Previous serving experience required; luxury hotel, fine dining, or upscale restaurant experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by example and positively influence a service team.
• Strong sense of accountability and ability to independently complete assigned opening and closing responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining established service and operational standards.
• Sound judgment and ability to recognize situations requiring management involvement.
• Strong food, wine, spirits, and beverage knowledge; Napa Valley wine knowledge preferred.
• Refined verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain composed, professional, and solutions-oriented during high-volume service.
• Previous experience training or mentoring restaurant colleagues preferred.
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Must possess the physical stamina required to stand and walk for extended periods and lift, push, or pull moderate amounts of weight.
• Must meet all applicable California food handler and responsible beverage service requirements.

Other Duties

This job description is not exhaustive nor designed to cover or contain all activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of this role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.