Hosts - New Restaurant Opening - NAIA

DineAmic Hospitality•Chicago, IL

About The Position

This May, DineAmic Hospitality is opening Naia, an expansive riverfront restaurant and bar as well as a luxurious private lounge at 300 N La Salle in River North. This highly anticipated opening represents one of our most ambitious projects to date and we’re building a driven, detail-oriented team to bring it to life. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to operational excellence from day one and grow within a fast-paced, hospitality-driven organization. Join us in creating an unforgettable experience from the ground up! Training starts April 24th! Job Summary Hosts are responsible for delivering exceptional first and last impressions for every guest in our fast-paced, high-volume, full-service restaurant environment. As the primary point of contact both in person and over the phone, this role requires strong organization, clear communication, and a commitment to hospitality and teamwork. Hosts manage guest flow, reservations, and waitlists while maintaining a welcoming and organized entrance and lobby area. Successful candidates are hospitality-driven professionals who remain composed under pressure, communicate effectively with guests and team members, and take pride in creating a warm and seamless arrival experience. Hosts help set the tone for the dining experience, collaborating closely with managers and service staff to maintain balanced service flow while providing professional, friendly assistance to guests both at the host stand and through phone interactions. They also support guest engagement initiatives, such as introducing guests to the restaurant’s rewards program when appropriate.

Requirements

Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 8+ hours per shift).
Occasional lifting of up to 20–25 pounds (menus, highchairs, small furniture adjustments).
Frequent movement in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and twist throughout shift.
Must be able to move safely through dining area, including slick floors and tight spaces.
Accountability
Adaptability
Communication Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Integrity
Personal Development
Professionalism
Self-Management
Teamwork and Collaboration
Technical Proficiency with computers and POS systems

Nice To Haves

Previous restaurant host or customer service experience preferred (high-volume experience strongly preferred).
Experience with a guest reservation platform and POS system preferred; Open table and Toast strongly preferred
Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business demands.

Responsibilities

Greet every guest promptly with warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.
Manage reservations, waitlists, and walk-in guests using the reservation system.
Accurately quote wait times and manage guest expectations.
Strategically seat guests to balance server sections and maintain optimal service flow.
Communicate effectively with managers and service staff regarding table status, pacing, special requests, and guest needs.
Maintain strong knowledge of restaurant offerings and policies to assist with guest inquiries.
Answer phones professionally and assist guests with reservations, carryout orders, and general inquiries.
Process carryout orders and payments accurately in accordance with company procedures.
Document event and large-party inquiries through the designated inquiry platform.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of the host stand, entrance, and lobby areas.
Monitor the dining room and entry areas to maintain a welcoming, organized, and well-paced environment.
Assist with menu presentation, coat check, and other guest touchpoints as needed.
Support service staff during peak periods to ensure smooth dining room operations.
Encourage guests to join the restaurant’s rewards program and share guest engagement initiatives when appropriate.
Complete opening, running, and closing side work as assigned.
Follow all company policies, sanitation guidelines, and hospitality standards.
Address guest concerns professionally and escalate issues to management when appropriate.
Contribute positively to team morale and support fellow team members during high-volume periods.
Additional duties as needed within the scope of the role.