Restaurant Head Host

Medlock Square marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of the Etihad Campus a vibrant yearround destination for culture leisure and entertainment set alongside two global icons: the Etihad Stadium home of Manchester City Football Club and the landmark Coop Live arena.

Named after the River Medlock that runs beneath the site the development celebrates Manchesters industrial heritage while shaping its next era of citydefining experiences. Manchester is known worldwide for its sport music and entertainment and Medlock Square will build on that legacy creating a landmark home for exceptional shared moments and elevating the citys position as one of Europes most dynamic fast-growing destinations.

At the heart of this new district will be an extraordinary food and beverage offer: from relaxed coffee houses and allday dining to flagship restaurants and premium culinary experiences. Designed to serve both everyday visitors and major event audiences Medlock Square will deliver high quality hospitality all week long and across the events calendar.

As Head Host you will lead the guest arrival and hosting experience across our premium restaurant environments shaping the first and last impression of our brand.

This is a role rooted in elevated lifestyle-led hospitality creating a sense of welcome that feels personal intuitive and effortless. You will set the tone from the moment a guest arrives curating a seamless journey that reflects the quality and ambition of our venues.

However this role also requires agility. On event and matchdays the environment transforms shifting into a dynamic high-volume VIP hospitality operation. You will lead this transition ensuring that even at scale the experience remains polished controlled and guest-focused.

Working closely with Restaurant Managers Reservations and Front of House teams you will balance precision and personality delivering both refined dining experiences and exceptional large-scale service.

You will be responsible for:

Guest Experience & Hosting Leadership

Lead the hosting function across restaurant venues delivering a confident warm and highly polished guest welcome. Act as the face of the venue creating a strong sense of arrival while building meaningful guest relationships and delivering personalised experiences for both returning and VIP guests.

Reservations & Guest Flow Management

Own and lead the Seven Rooms platform as a key commercial and operational tool ensuring effective management of reservations table configurations pacing waitlists cancellations and guest communications. Use data and reporting to forecast demand maximise covers enhance guest experiences and support wider business objectives.

Matchday & Event Operations
Lead the transition from premium dining to high-volume VIP hospitality during matchdays and major events ensuring guest experience remains seamless in fast-paced environments. Maintain strong floor presence while coordinating with operational teams to manage guest flow service standards and operational delivery.

Leadership Training & Culture
Lead coach and inspire the host team to deliver consistently high standards while embedding a modern luxury hospitality approach. Support recruitment onboarding training and development acting as a role model for service excellence professionalism and brand representation.

Standards Presentation & Environment
Maintain exceptional presentation standards across all guest arrival points while creating a welcoming and energetic front-of-house environment. Drive consistency in service style communication and overall guest interaction.

Collaboration Commercial Awareness & Compliance
Work closely with Restaurant Managers Events Bars Marketing and Guest Experience teams to deliver a joined-up guest journey and support activations loyalty initiatives and commercial performance. Ensure all guest data reservations and front-of-house operations are managed in line with GDPR health & safety and company procedures.

Essential

• Experience in a senior host maître d or guest experience leadership role within premium or lifestyle hospitality environments
• Familiarity with reservations platforms (e.g. Open Table Seven Rooms or similar)
• Strong understanding of front-of-house operations and guest journey management
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a natural presence and ability to engage a diverse guest profile
• Highly organised with the ability to manage reservations flow and pressure in fast-paced environments
• Proven experience leading and developing teams
• Calm composed and solutions-focused particularly in high-pressure service moments

Desirable

• Experience with in luxury lifestyle or members club environments (e.g. Soho House-style service)
• Experience in high-volume event-led or stadium hospitality environments
• Experience managing VIP guests and premium service environments

• Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) including Virtual GP access and rewards
• Group Life Assurance 4x salary paid to your…