Lead Host

Pacific Hospitality Group•Huntington Beach, CA

About The Position

The Lead Host welcomes restaurant guests, manages seating and waitlists, answers guest questions, and supports a smooth, attentive dining experience. The role also serves as the primary trainer for new hosts and assists the Private Events Manager with restaurant and bar events. The Lead Host stays informed about hotel occupancy, visiting VIPs, and upcoming events to provide personalized service, while supporting service staff and maintaining clean, guest-ready spaces and materials. The position requires following food-handling, sanitation, and health department guidelines; resolving guest concerns within the scope of the role; and escalating other matters to management. Unusual events, missing items, or alleged theft should be reported to a supervisor and/or Security.

Requirements

Prior customer service experience.
Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to guest satisfaction.
Ability to stay organized, communicate clearly, and support the team during busy service periods.
Ability to coach new team members with patience and professionalism.
Good judgment and ability to follow detailed written or verbal instructions.

Nice To Haves

Cash handling experience.
Previous restaurant host or lead experience.
Experience supporting private dining, events, or special occasions.
Familiarity with hotel telephone, reservation, and computer systems.
Ability to address routine issues and adapt to changing guest needs in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Welcome guests, seat them promptly, provide menus, and introduce them to their server.
Explain restaurant meal options and relevant hotel amenities to guests.
Manage the waitlist by recording names and party sizes, providing estimated wait times, and notifying guests when tables are ready.
Accommodate seating requests when possible while balancing guest flow, and keep the supervisor informed about guest counts and wait times.
Check tables for proper presentation and completeness, and notify servers about missing items.
Check in with guests about their experience, thank them as they depart, and invite them to return.
Answer calls and assist with reservations, menu questions, restaurant directions, and general questions about the hotel and its amenities.
Serve as the primary trainer for new hosts, providing hands-on instruction on greeting and seating, waitlist and reservation procedures, phone etiquette, service standards, cleanliness, and other host responsibilities.
Help new team members become confident and consistent in the role, and share their progress or training needs with the supervisor.
Assist the Private Events Manager with restaurant and bar events by preparing spaces, welcoming event guests, communicating event details to the team, and helping manage guest flow.
Provide general information in response to private event inquiries, direct guests to the Private Events Manager, and promptly share event leads or guest requests with them.
Help ensure event spaces and guest-facing details are ready and reflect the hotel’s service standards.
Stay informed about hotel house count, visiting VIPs, and upcoming events to provide attentive, personalized service.
Assist service staff as needed by running food, refilling beverages, and bussing tables.
Maintain clean, presentable menus, check presenters, wine lists, and the host stand; keep the work area clean and prepare silverware rollups as needed.
Regularly check restrooms and the restaurant perimeter for cleanliness and promptly report housekeeping needs.
Follow food-handling, sanitation, and health department guidelines.
Resolve guest concerns within the scope of the role and refer other matters to management.
Notify a supervisor and/or Security of unusual events, missing items, or alleged theft.