Position Summary
At North & River, our Host is the first and last impression every guest receives. More than a greeter, our Host is the conductor of the dining room—balancing hospitality, organization, and the flow of service to create a seamless guest experience from arrival to departure.
We are building an elite front-of-house team and are looking for someone who thrives under pressure, communicates with confidence and grace, and understands that every reservation, greeting, and seating decision directly impacts the guest experience. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional emotional intelligence, strong organizational skills, and the ability to think several steps ahead while maintaining genuine warmth and hospitality.
Primary Responsibilities
Guest Experience
- Welcome every guest with warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm.
- Create a memorable first impression through confident communication and exceptional hospitality.
- Learn guest names whenever possible and recognize returning guests.
- Handle guest concerns, special requests, and unexpected situations with empathy, confidence, and professionalism.
- Ensure every guest feels acknowledged, valued, and cared for from arrival through departure.
Reservations & Dining Room Flow
- Expertly manage the reservation system while maintaining accuracy and organization.
- Understand table pacing, dining times, and service flow to maximize efficiency without compromising the guest experience.
- Create accurate and realistic wait times while proactively communicating updates to guests.
- Coordinate seating strategically to balance server sections and support kitchen pacing.
- Anticipate potential bottlenecks before they affect service.
- Communicate continuously with servers, bartenders, managers, and kitchen leadership to maintain a smooth dining room.
Front-of-House Support
- Assist servers by resetting and preparing tables promptly.
- Help maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming entrance and dining room.
- Support the front-of-house team wherever needed during busy service.
- Answer phones professionally while confidently managing reservations and guest inquiries.
- Maintain composure while multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
Communication & Hospitality
- Use thoughtful, professional, and guest-focused language in every interaction.
- Think quickly and respond confidently to questions regarding reservations, wait times, menu offerings, policies, and guest concerns.
- Demonstrate confidence without arrogance and warmth without losing efficiency.
- Turn challenging situations into positive guest experiences through effective communication and problem-solving.
Leadership Philosophy
At North & River, hospitality begins the moment a guest walks through our doors.
Our Hosts are expected to:
- Create calm in moments of pressure.
- Speak with confidence, kindness, and professionalism.
- Anticipate needs before they arise.
- Think critically rather than simply react.
- Balance fairness to guests with the operational needs of the restaurant.
- Support teammates with humility and positivity.
- Protect the pace and flow of service while ensuring every guest feels genuinely welcomed.
- Take ownership of the guest experience from the first greeting to the final farewell.
Qualifications
- Previous upscale casual or fine dining hosting experience preferred.
- Experience using reservation platforms such as OpenTable, Resy, Toast Tables, or similar systems preferred.
- Exceptional multitasking and organizational skills.
- Ability to confidently manage guest waits, reservations, and dining room flow.
- Excellent verbal communication and guest service skills.
- Professional appearance and polished demeanor.
- Ability to remain calm, organized, and solutions-oriented during high-volume service.
- Strong teamwork and leadership qualities with a willingness to assist all front-of-house operations.
At North & River, we believe hospitality begins before the first drink is poured or the first course is served. We’re looking for someone who understands that every greeting, every conversation, and every seating decision shapes the guest experience. If you’re passionate about creating unforgettable first impressions and thrive as part of an elite hospitality team, we’d love to hear your story.
Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
