RESTAURANT HOSTESS

The Social House | Nairobi

WE ARE GROWING. COME GROW WITH US.

The Social House is growing, our restaurants are getting busier, and we are expanding the team of people who create the experiences our guests come back for.

We are looking for a seasoned, confident and naturally engaging Restaurant Hostess who understands that exceptional hospitality begins long before a guest sits down at the table.

You are often the first hello and the last goodbye.

That matters.

We want someone who can walk into a busy restaurant, understand what is happening across the floor, welcome a returning guest by name, confidently manage a waiting list, coordinate tables with the service team and still make every arriving guest feel that we were expecting them.

If you are warm, expressive, highly organised and genuinely enjoy meeting people, we would like to meet you.

ABOUT THE SOCIAL HOUSE

The Social House is more than a hotel. We are craftsmen of Nairobi's own melting pot, offering a collection of authentic, intriguing and evolving living spaces designed to stimulate connection.

Driven by creativity, culture and exceptional hospitality, we don't simply serve guests. We host them as we would in our own home.

As we grow, we are looking for an authentic, resourceful and charismatic Restaurant Hostess with a natural sparkle to become one of the welcoming faces of our House.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working with our Food & Beverage Operations team, you will play an important role in setting the tone for every guest's restaurant experience.

You will manage the arrival experience, reservations, walk ins, waiting guests and table allocation while working closely with the restaurant team to keep service flowing smoothly.

But there is another part of the job that matters just as much.

You need to read people.

Some guests want conversation. Others want privacy.

Some are visiting for the first time. Others have been coming to us for years.

Some are celebrating something special. Others have simply had a long day and want to be looked after.

A great Hostess notices the difference.

HOW YOU BRING THE MAGIC

BE THE REAL YOU

Forget robotic hotel scripts and forced formality.

We want your genuine personality, warmth and natural style.

You should be comfortable starting conversations, remembering guests, listening carefully and creating real connections.

Professional does not have to mean impersonal.

BE INQUISITIVE

You notice things and ask questions.

Why does this guest always request that particular table?

Why is the waiting time increasing?

Which tables are about to become available?

What are tonight's specials?

Who is celebrating a birthday?

You actively seek information because the more you know, the better you can look after the guest.

BE RESOURCEFUL

Restaurants do not always go according to plan.

A guest arrives without a reservation on a fully booked evening. A large party arrives early. A table is taking longer than expected. A reservation changes at the last minute.

You don't freeze.

You assess the situation, communicate and find practical solutions while protecting the guest experience.

BE EFFICIENT

Warm hospitality and operational discipline must work together.

You manage reservations accurately, understand the floor plan, anticipate table availability and communicate constantly with the restaurant team.

Even when several guests arrive at once, you remain organised.

BE DETERMINED

You don't give up on a guest experience because the restaurant is busy.

You follow through on requests, chase information when necessary and take ownership until the matter is resolved or properly handed over.

BE EXPRESSIVE

You have presence.

You are warm, articulate and comfortable engaging different personalities.

You smile naturally, communicate confidently and bring the positive energy that makes people feel welcome.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As Restaurant Hostess, you will:

• Welcome every arriving guest warmly and create an immediate sense of arrival.

• Recognise and greet returning guests by name whenever possible.

• Learn guest preferences and use that information to create more personalised experiences.

• Give guests a genuine and warm farewell when they leave.

• Manage restaurant reservations accurately and professionally.

• Handle walk in guests confidently while balancing reservations and available capacity.

• Manage waiting lists and provide realistic wait times rather than leaving guests uncertain.

• Keep waiting guests informed and comfortable.

• Seat guests intelligently according to reservations, floor plans, server rotations, table availability and guest preferences.

• Maintain balanced table allocation so that one service section is not overloaded while another remains underutilised.

• Monitor the restaurant floor and anticipate which tables are approaching completion.

• Communicate continuously with servers, supervisors and managers regarding seating, availability and service flow.

• Coordinate VIP arrivals, celebrations, large parties and special requests.

• Take telephone reservations and respond professionally to restaurant enquiries.

• Maintain accurate reservation information, including guest names, contact details, preferences and special occasions where appropriate.

• Understand our restaurants, menus, current promotions and experiences well enough to confidently guide guests.

• Have a basic understanding of common dietary requirements and know when to involve the service or culinary team.

• Gather guest feedback before departure rather than waiting for dissatisfaction to appear online.

• Identify unhappy guests early and immediately involve the appropriate manager where necessary.

• Keep the host station organised, clean and ready throughout service.

• Ensure menus and guest facing materials are clean, current and correctly presented.

• Maintain The Social House's personal presentation and grooming standards.

YOU SHOULD KNOW YOUR HOUSE

A great Hostess should never respond to a guest's question with:

“I don't know.”

You may not personally have every answer, but you should know how to find it.

You should continuously understand what is happening across The Social House, including:

• Restaurant opening times
• Current menus and specials
• Events and entertainment
• Promotions and experiences
• Table availability
• Private events that may affect restaurant operations
• Key hotel facilities and services
• Who to contact when a guest needs assistance

You become one of the people guests trust to point them in the right direction.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

You should bring:

• A Diploma in Hotel Management or Certificate/Diploma in Food & Beverage Service from a recognised hospitality or tourism institution.

• A relevant degree will be an added advantage.

• Previous experience as a Restaurant Hostess, Host, Restaurant Receptionist or similar guest facing hospitality professional.

• Experience within a 4 or 5 star hotel, premium restaurant, lifestyle hotel or high volume quality dining environment is strongly preferred.

• Excellent spoken communication and confidence engaging guests face to face and over the telephone.

• A polished and professional personal presentation.

• A naturally warm, outgoing and expressive personality.

• Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail.

• The ability to remember faces, names and guest preferences.

• Confidence managing reservations, walk ins, waiting lists and busy restaurant periods.

• Ability to make quick decisions while remaining composed under pressure.

• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

• Hands on experience with POS terminals, digital reservation platforms or table management systems.

• Genuine interest in food, restaurants, people and hospitality.

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and public holidays according to the operational rota.

YOU WILL PROBABLY ENJOY THIS ROLE IF...

You genuinely like people.

You remember faces.

You notice details other people miss.

You can hold a conversation with almost anyone.

You don't hide behind the host desk.

You remain composed when five different things need your attention.

You enjoy the energy of a busy restaurant.

You take pride in looking polished and prepared.

And when a guest has a problem, your instinct is:

“How can I help?”

rather than:

“That's not my department.”

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

We will know you are succeeding when:

• Guests feel genuinely recognised and welcomed.

• Returning guests are increasingly known by name and preference.

• Reservations are accurate and professionally managed.

• Waiting times are communicated clearly.

• Table allocation supports smooth restaurant operations.

• The service team receives timely information about VIPs, celebrations and special requests.

• Guest concerns are identified and escalated before they become complaints.

• The entrance and host station consistently reflect the standards of The Social House.

• Guests leave feeling as warmly hosted as when they arrived.

And, most importantly, guests want to come back.

WHY JOIN THE SOCIAL HOUSE?

Because we are growing, and we want people who want to grow with us.

At The Social House, you will be part of a creative, collaborative and forward thinking hospitality team that believes there is a better way to host people.

You will meet guests from different countries, cultures, industries and walks of life.

You will learn.

You will be challenged.

You will have opportunities to develop your hospitality career.

And you will play a very visible role in shaping how people experience one of Nairobi's distinctive lifestyle hospitality brands.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are an experienced Restaurant Hostess who combines warmth with efficiency, personality with professionalism, and confidence with genuine care for people, we would like to hear from you.

Please submit your CV to this Link Hostess Job Application Link

Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

The Social House is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge candidates at any stage of the recruitment process.

Come as you are. Bring your sparkle. Help us make every guest feel at home.