Maitre d'

About the role

Hawksmoor NYC is a restaurant whose menu revolves around all-natural beef from family-run farms, many based in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and New England, simply seasoned with flaked sea salt and seared over live-fire charcoal. Located in the historic United Charities Building, steps from Gramercy Park, the restaurant features a main dining room with a 26-foot vaulted ceiling, a forty-seat bar, and two private dining spaces. Reporting to the Reservations Manager, the Maître d’ is a dual-role position responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences from the first point of contact through to seating and beyond. This position oversees reservation management and guest communications while also serving as the face of the dining room, ensuring smooth front-of-house operations and premium hospitality service.

Responsibilities

• Reservation Management
  • Manage all incoming reservations via phone, email, walk-ins, and online platforms (e.g., OpenTable, SevenRooms).
  • Maintain accurate reservation logs and guest notes including dietary restrictions, preferences, and special occasions.
  • Monitor table turnover, optimize seating to maximize capacity and guest satisfaction.
  • Coordinate with kitchen and service teams to accommodate large parties or special events.
• Front-of-House (Maître d’) Duties
  • Greet and welcome guests with professionalism and warmth.
  • Assign and escort guests to appropriate tables based on reservation details and flow of service.
  • Monitor dining room activity, pacing, and guest satisfaction throughout service.
  • Address guest concerns or complaints promptly and graciously.
• Operational & Team Coordination
  • Serve as liaison between guests, servers, and management to ensure a seamless dining experience.
  • Oversee and train host/hostess staff (if applicable), ensuring they follow standards of service and appearance.
  • Prepare daily reservation and seating reports for management and service team.
  • Ensure cleanliness and ambiance of the reception and dining area align with venue standards.

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years in a customer-facing hospitality role, preferably in fine or upscale dining.
• Proficiency in reservation platforms (e.g., OpenTable, SevenRooms).
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and poise under pressure.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred Attributes

• Familiarity with POS systems and basic administrative tasks.
• Multilingual skills are a plus.
• Experience handling VIPs and high-profile clientele.

Working Conditions

• Evening, weekend, and holiday availability required.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and manage high guest volumes.
• Professional appearance and adherence to dress code required.

Benefits

Careers with Hawksmoor Group offer generous pay and benefits, award-winning restaurants, unrivaled career opportunities, and a team recognized for happiness and excellence. The Sunday Times has recognized us in their Best Companies awards for seven consecutive years as one of the top 100 companies to work for in the UK, and we endeavor to achieve the same in the US.