Maitre d'

Yardbird DC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Yardbird DC in Washington, DC is seeking a Maitre’D to supervise and coordinate dining room flow, lead the host team, and partner closely with kitchen and management to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The successful candidate will report to the General Manager, demonstrate strong communication, professional appearance, and the ability to manage reservations, seating, and guest relations throughout service.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years hospitality sales/management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Able to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Welcomes every guest at the door with enthusiasm.
• Clearly communicates with guests and manages seating and reservations.
• Coordinates with kitchen and management to optimize dining room flow.
• Supervises and trains host staff and oversees front-of-house operations.
• Maintains guest relations, handles complaints, and ensures service quality.
• Assists with events, live music visibility, and general guest inquiries.

Skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Maintaining tact under pressure

Flexible hours

English proficiency

Professional appearance

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Maitre’D is the first and last person a guest will interact with in the restaurant. Therefore, it is imperative that the first and last impression a guest will have is positive, gracious and professional. Most importantly, you will be supervising and coordinating the flow of the dining room and the rest of the host team. Constant communication with the kitchen and managers is key to a successful dining service. In This role you will be responsible for the below but not limited to. You will report to General manager of said location and support the management team in all capacity as needed.

Requirements

• At least 3 years of hospitality sales and management experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Must be able to maintain tact and cool under pressure
• Able to work flexible hours necessary including off hours, weekends and holidays
• Able to effectively communicate in English in both oral and written forms
• Professional and polished appearance and demeanor

Responsibilities

• Enthusiastically welcomes every guest at the door
• Ability to clearly communicate with all guests
• Manage and maximize guests reservations and restaurant seating capacity
• Ensure all social media coming out of the front door is a 4.5 or higher
• Always approaches and moves towards the guest. Never waits for the guest to come to them.
• Goes above and beyond to accommodate guests’ special requests.
• Shows guests to their table while providing welcoming service.
• Graciously says goodbye to all guests and extends an invitation to return to visit soon
• Oversee daily restaurant reservations, pre - assign seating where necessary.
• Communicate with Restaurant Reservations regarding special orders, cake orders, and special requests – responsible for conveying all such information to management.
• Answer restaurant telephone courteously and efficiently.
• Escort guests to tables and assist in seating at tables; present menus and extend pleasantries.
• Shut down podium and forward phones to voice - loop at end of shift.
• Work as a team, assist with all guests’ and employees’ needs and inquiries.
• Maintain positive guest relations at all times.
• Resolve guest complaints, ensuring guest satisfaction.
• Be familiar with all restaurant activities ( live music, DJ and events) to respond to guest inquiries accurately.
• Monitor and maintain cleanliness, sanitation and organization of assigned work areas.
• Maintain complete knowledge of scheduled daily activities and in - house groups, daily house count, table/seat/station numbers, proper table set ups, room capacity, hours of operation, price range and dress code of the restaurant.
• Effectively communicate with management, chefs and culinary staff in order to fulfill and address any issues or needs requested by guests and or other employees.
• Maintain the cleanliness and counts of all menus.
• Effectively communicate with management, when menus need to be reprinted.
• Effectively communicate with management, chefs and culinary staff in order to fulfill and address any issues or needs requested by guests and or other employees.
• Perform all other job-related duties as requested.
• Constantly train current host staff and new host staff
• Manage lounge seating and lounge tables sales
• Manage Speakeasy RSVPs and table sales
• Assist in communicating manpower needs and hiring of incoming hosts
• Recognize and share opportunities to enhance the guest experience at both the front door and lounge

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to heat from the stoves and burners.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• The employee frequently is required to walk.

Preferred

• At least 3 year of host person experience in a high - volume and/or upscale dining environment.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience working in a similar resort setting