Lead Server

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt • Shift: Varies, 11am-7:30pm and/or 12pm-8:30pm • Full-Time • Location: Ardenwoods

About the Role

The Lead Server plays a key role in delivering an exceptional dining experience while supporting daily dining room operations. This position leads by example, ensuring service excellence, guiding team members, and fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere for residents and their guests.

Responsibilities

• Provides all aspects of dining room service to Independent Living residents and their families/guests in a restaurant-style setting.
• Greets residents and guests warmly, takes accurate orders, and delivers food and beverages promptly.
• Ensures dining areas are clean, organized, and sanitized in accordance with food safety standards.
• Builds rapport with residents and guests, creating positive and engaging dining experiences.
• Supports and guides servers during meal service to ensure smooth operations and excellent service delivery.
• Assists with training new team members and reinforcing service standards.
• Sets up dining areas, stocks service stations, and completes opening and closing duties.
• Buses and resets tables efficiently between seatings.
• Performs deep cleaning of dining and service areas as needed.
• Communicates effectively with kitchen staff to ensure accuracy and timeliness of orders.
• Monitors dining room activity and addresses guest needs or concerns proactively.
• Serves as the backup to the Dining Room Manager in their absence, overseeing dining room operations, directing team members, resolving service issues, and ensuring a high-quality dining experience for residents and guests.
• Complies with all company policies, procedures, and applicable laws, including HIPAA and the Code of Conduct, completing required training and reporting concerns promptly.
• This position is designated as essential to the operations of the organization. Team members in this role may be required to report to work during emergencies, inclement weather, or other situations when the organization remains operational.

Requirements

• Strong customer service skills with a genuine passion for serving others.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members and lead by example.
• Strong understanding of food service operations, sanitation standards, dining etiquette, and POS/computer systems.
• Professional, friendly demeanor with sensitivity to working with older adults.
• Ability to obtain (or currently hold) ServSafe certification or equivalent food safety certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous food service or hospitality experience; leadership experience.