Restaurant Host/Hostess

About Sawari Hospitality Solutions

Sawari Hospitality Solutions delivers sustainable, efficient solutions to hospitality professionals and restaurant owners, helping them protect their investments and grow their businesses. Their services focus on staffing, consulting, and team development to enable clients to provide world-class hospitality without handling day-to-day complexities.

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Host/Hostess for a contemporary Neapolitan style pizza restaurant in Nairobi's Westlands area. This full-time onsite role involves driving the front-of-house guest experience by managing the entrance, bar, and waiting areas. The Host/Hostess will ensure every customer feels welcomed and engaged, whether seated promptly or enjoying drinks while waiting. This role requires setting hospitality standards, coordinating guest flow, supporting service teams, and mentoring new staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the guest arrival process from the entrance through to seating, including maintaining atmosphere in the bar and waiting area.
• Exemplify warmth, confidence, and enthusiasm to motivate guests and team members alike.
• Enhance the waiting experience by actively engaging guests at the bar to make their time enjoyable.
• Optimize systems related to waiting lists and table allocation for operational efficiency.
• Confidently direct guest movement between entrance, bar, and dining zones.
• Collaborate tightly with servers, bartenders, and kitchen staff to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Proactively solve issues and make on-the-spot decisions to improve customer satisfaction.
• Maintain exemplary hospitality standards that guide the team.
• Serve as the communication center for front-of-house staff coordination.
• Mentor newer employees on hospitality standards and company culture.
• Ensure a lively and welcoming atmosphere at the entrance and bar, even during busy periods.

Qualifications and Attributes

• Magnetic personality that naturally welcomes and attracts guests.
• Consistent high-energy demeanor throughout the shift.
• Professional appearance reflecting an upscale casual brand.
• True enthusiasm for hospitality and crafting memorable guest interactions.
• Natural leadership ability with approachable confidence.
• Experience managing multiple tasks and making swift decisions under pressure.
• Prior hospitality leadership or clear leadership potential.
• Excellent communication skills with diverse clientele and managing expectations.
• High emotional intelligence to read and influence room dynamics effectively.
• Familiarity with reservation management and guest flow control.
• Understanding of bar operations to enhance guest engagement during waits.
• Analytical ability to recognize trends and suggest process improvements.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.