Reservations Executive/Host for Fine Dining Restaurant

Key Responsibilities

Reservations & Guest Experience:

• Manage all reservations across booking platforms, phone, email, etc.

• Conduct detailed guest profiling - capturing dining preferences, occasions and dining history to provide a tailored experience.

• Proactively engage with guests in advance of their visit to personalise bookings, enhance occasions and identify opportunities to elevate their experience.

• Manage waitlists, amendments and cancellations effectively, optimising table allocation and maximising covers.

• Handle VIPs, repeat guests, dietary requirements, celebrations and special occasions with care, discretion and attention to detail.

• Identify and action opportunities to enhance revenue through thoughtful upselling, including menu experiences, wine pairings and special offerings.

• Communicate effectively with management regarding guest feedback, trends, and service opportunities.

Hosting & Service Presence:

• Act as a warm, professional and visible host during service - setting the tone for the guest experience on arrival

• Welcome, engage and seat guests in a manner that feels warm, polished and intuitive.

• Work closely with the Restaurant General Manager and front-of-house team to manage the flow of service, ensuring optimal pacing and experience.

• Build genuine relationships with guests, recognising returning visitors and enhancing loyalty

• Handle guest queries or concerns with confidence, empathy and discretion.

Front-of-House Coordination:

• Collaborate closely with the front of house and kitchen teams to ensure seamless communication and execution of service.

• Anticipate peak trading periods and adjust seating plans to balance guest experience with operational efficiency.

• Support the front of house team in delivering consistent, high-quality service standards.

• Contribute to creating a calm, controlled and professional environment during busy service periods

Systems & Administration:

• Oversee and optimise reservation systems (i.e. OpenTable).

• Maintain detailed guest notes and CRM data to support a personalised guest experience.

• Produce weekly and monthly reservation reports including covers, trends, no-shows and guest feedback.

• Manage reservation policies, deposits, confirmations and cancellation procedures.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of reservations processes and guest communication.

• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness, balancing guest experience with revenue optimisation.

The Ideal person has:

• Previous experience in a fine dining or Michelin-starred restaurant.

• A natural host with a warm, engaging and polished presence.

• Highly inquisitive with a genuine interest in understanding guests and crafting personalised experiences.

• Strong knowledge of reservations systems and guest management tools.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.

• Passionate about food, wine and exceptional service.