Maître d’ at o ya LLC – Boston, Massachusetts

Umami Riot was born from a simple idea: pair joyful hospitality with uncompromising craftsmanship. Founded by Chef Tim Cushman and sake expert Nancy Cushman, our restaurants celebrate bold flavor, precision, and a deep respect for Japanese foodways – translated through a distinctly Boston lens. At Umami Riot, we’re not here to follow the rules of hospitality, we’re here to rewrite them – with heart, craft and fearless creativity.

o ya is a refined, chef-driven dining experience rooted in precision, technique, and intentional hospitality. Every dish reflects discipline, creativity, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. This is an opportunity to work in a Michelin-minded environment where craftsmanship matters and growth is earned through dedication to the art.

We’re looking for a Maître d’ who is a visible leader on the floor, setting the tone for how the restaurant feels, flows, and performs. This role blends presence and precision — reading the room, guiding service, and ensuring guests feel welcomed, valued, and perfectly timed throughout their experience.

THE GIG (AKA WHAT YOU’LL ACTUALLY BE DOING)

• Set the tone for the dining room from open to close, owning first impressions, pacing, and the overall flow of service
• Guide the rhythm of the floor with calm authority, balancing warmth, confidence, and precision even when the room is full
• Welcome, seat, and engage guests with intention, making them feel seen, valued, and excited to be there
• Manage reservations, walk-ins, and waitlists with clarity, honesty, and grace while coordinating closely with FOH and HOH leadership
• Maintain a polished, organized entry experience and support the floor with table turns, service adjustments, and real-time problem solving
• Lead by presence — staying visible, guest-ready, and composed through nights, weekends, and high-energy services

THIS ROLE IS A GREAT FIT IF…

• Hospitality comes naturally, and presence is your superpower
• You read a room instinctively and know how to pace service without calling attention to it
• You’re calm under pressure and composed in high-energy environments
• You care deeply about the guest experience and the team delivering it
• You enjoy leading from the floor, not the sidelines
• You believe great service should feel effortless, even when it’s not
  

LET’S SET EXPECTATIONS (IN A GOOD WAY)

This is a high-energy restaurant where the pace is constant, the room stays lively, and the floor never really slows down.

You’ll spend your shifts front and center — moving with confidence through a busy dining room, connecting with guests, and staying locked into the rhythm of service — in a hands-on role that values presence, polish, and a strong commitment to cleanliness, safety, and hospitality standards. We’re committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support individuals in performing the essential functions of the role.

WHY PEOPLE STICK AROUND

• Competitive pay - because your work matters
• Dining discounts across all Umami Riot locations
• Growth that’s real (not just talked about)
• A team culture rooted in respect, creativity, and heart

Pay Range $20-$22 per hour

EOE