What are the responsibilities and job description for the Maitre D position at Virgin Hotels - New York City?
Who we are:
We love what we do and what we do is important! We believe that everyone should leave feeling better – this means not just our guests, but also our teammates. Everyone should go home feeling better because they learned something new, or had fun working that day. Therefore, we hire unique individuals who work together to create amazing experiences for our guests. We recognize that every member of the team contributes to the success of the whole hotel. No one is more important than anyone else, and unless we are in it together, we can’t create that special experience for our guests.
Your mission:
Should you decide to accept it…
The Maitre d’ is a highly professional and guest-oriented teammate on the floor, in our new fine-dining restaurant, Costeno. As the first point of contact for guests, the Maitre d' plays a crucial role in providing exceptional service and ensuring a positive dining experience.
This position is made for someone who is driven by the need to create memorable experiences each and every day. This person finds passion being present on the floor during service; directly impacting the guest and teammate experience.
We expect you to communicate, coordinate and work well with other teammates, managers and guests. Most of all, we want you to have FUN since you will play a huge role in creating that memorable guest experience!
The Nitty-Gritty:
What exactly you will be doing…
To help you understand your role in working for a progressive, environment-conscious, world-class organization, the following is a list of your essential job responsibilities. Please keep in mind that this list is not all-inclusive and that you may be asked to perform other job tasks by your supervisors/managers not listed below in the constant quest to provide “out of this world” customer service experience for our guests:
- Greet guests upon arrival with warmth and professionalism, escorting them to their tables and ensuring their needs are met throughout their dining experience.
- Manage reservations, including taking bookings, confirming reservations, and coordinating seating arrangements to optimize restaurant capacity while ensuring a smooth flow of service.
- Strategically plan and assign tables to balance server workloads and accommodate guest preferences, such as seating requests and special occasions.
- Build strong relationships with guests by anticipating their needs, addressing any concerns or special requests promptly, and providing personalized recommendations to enhance their dining experience.
- Collaborate closely with the kitchen and serving staff to ensure seamless communication and efficient service delivery, including coordinating timing of courses and accommodating special dietary requirements.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organization, and presentation throughout the dining area, including overseeing table setups and ensuring adherence to hygiene and safety protocols.
- Handle guest complaints and feedback with professionalism and diplomacy, striving to resolve issues promptly and to the satisfaction of the guest while upholding the reputation of the restaurant.
- Provide guidance and mentorship to junior staff members, fostering a positive and supportive work environment focused on continuous improvement and excellence in service delivery.
What qualities are we looking for?
You got skills? If you are able to perform the following, then you have definitely come to the right place…
- Attention to detail and a keen eye for aesthetics, ensure the dining area is always presented immaculately.
- Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with proficiency in multiple languages, considered an asset
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with the capacity to remain calm and composed under pressure.
- Ability to anticipate needs and over-deliver wherever possible
- Able to change direction and work on multiple project aspects at once. Creatively solve problems
Background must-have:
- Current, legal, and unrestricted ability to work in the United States
- Minimum of 3-5 years of previous fine dining experience.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
- Ability to clearly and pleasantly communicate in English with guests and teammates/management alike, in person, in writing, and on the telephone