Lead Host in New York, New York at Sparrow Italia New York LLC

The Lead Host plays a key leadership role in shaping the guest experience from the moment guests arrive. This position is responsible for overseeing the restaurant’s seating strategy, managing dining room flow, and ensuring all greeting and seating operations are executed smoothly and professionally. The Lead Host sets the standard for hospitality by providing a warm, timely, and welcoming first impression, maintaining full awareness of reservations, walk-ins, and table movements, and guiding guests through service adjustments as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for host team communication and guest inquiries
• Coordinate and execute seating strategy and dining room flow throughout service
• Manage waitlists and guest arrival flow while communicating accurate wait times and seating expectations
• Accurately maintain reservation, guest preference, and seating information in the reservation management system
• Maintain awareness of guest preferences, special occasions, dietary restrictions, and special accommodations
• Ensure a clean, safe, and organized host area in compliance with health and safety standards
• Proactively anticipate and support the needs of guests and fellow team members
• Assist with resolving guest concerns and service recovery situations while communicating significant issues to management
• Ensure side stations and host areas are properly stocked and prepared for service demands
• Complete assigned morning administrative and preparatory duties as needed
• Assist with training, coaching, and supporting Hosts to ensure service, reservation, and hospitality standards are consistently maintained

Qualifications

• Previous Lead Host, Host, or hospitality leadership experience preferred
• Strong multitasking skills with a diligent and dependable work ethic
• Maintain a clean, polished, and professional appearance
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to remain professional and composed in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency with reservation management systems, POS systems, and other technology platforms preferred
• Previous experience in a guest-facing or customer service role
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to stand for the duration of assigned shifts and lift up to 35 pounds

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain standing and active for extended periods of time during scheduled shifts
• Ability to move throughout all guest-facing areas of the restaurant, and walk for extended periods, including frequently walking between guest areas throughout scheduled shifts
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to up to 35 pounds
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members in a fast-paced restaurant environment
• Ability to operate reservation systems, POS systems, telephones, and other technology required to perform essential job functions