Reception Manager

Responsibilities
Lead the pre-opening setup of the reception and reservations department, ensuring operational readiness for the restaurant's opening.
Oversee the daily operations of the reception desk, reservations, guest arrivals, seating arrangements, and overall guest flow.
Recruit, train, supervise, and develop the reception and hostess team, ensuring exceptional standards of service and hospitality.
Manage reservations, table allocations, and seating plans to maximise restaurant occupancy, efficiency, and revenue.
Build and maintain strong relationships with regular guests, VIP clientele, and key stakeholders, ensuring personalised service and recognition.
Handle guest requests, feedback, and complaints professionally, ensuring timely and effective resolutions.
Work closely with the General Manager and restaurant management team to ensure smooth coordination between reception, reservations, and floor operations.
Monitor booking trends, cancellations, no-shows, and guest preferences to optimise reservations and overall restaurant performance.
Ensure accurate and efficient use of the reservation management system, maintaining up-to-date guest profiles and booking information.
Maintain exceptional grooming, presentation, communication, and hospitality standards across the reception team.
Coordinate with the Marketing and Events teams regarding special bookings, VIP visits, private events, and restaurant activations.
Ensure the reception area consistently reflects the restaurant's luxury positioning and service standards.
Carry out any other duties required to support the successful operation of the restaurant.

Qualifications
Minimum 3 years' experience in a senior reception, reservations, or front-of-house management role within a luxury, high-volume restaurant.
Strong experience in premium or fine dining concepts; experience with Japanese dining concepts is an advantage.
Pre-opening experience is highly preferred.
Excellent understanding of luxury hospitality, guest relations, and VIP service standards.
Strong knowledge of reservation management systems, preferably SevenRooms.
Proven experience managing reservations, seating optimisation, and high-volume restaurant operations.
Experience leading, training, and developing multicultural reception teams.
Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
Professional appearance, strong attention to detail, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional, personalised guest experiences.