Overview
Job Title: Head Waiter
Reports to: Founder
Functionality responsibility to: Front of House Team
Other regular relationships: Kitchen Leadership, Owners / Senior Management
Location: Mayfair, Central London (opposite Selfridges, minutes from Bond Street)
Salary: £31,000 - £34,000 per annum + bonus scheme (based on performance and customer satisfaction)
About the Restaurant
Lazeez Tapas Mayfair is a long-established, family-run restaurant in one of London's most prestigious locations. Serving Lebanese inspired tapas, the restaurant combines a relaxed café-style atmosphere with high standards of food, service and presentation. It also benefits from a Parisian terrace setting directly opposite one of the world's most famous department stores and attracts a largely tourist guest base.
The business has operated with the same owners for 19 years and is now moving with the times through an exciting reopening. The restaurant is launching with a brand-new team, a simple, effective menu, and a renewed focus on calm, personable hospitality delivered in a professional, well-presented way.
Role Purpose
The Head Waiter will be a key leader in reopening the front of house operation and setting the standard for guest experience. This is not about rushing guests; it's about calm, confident hospitality, professional presentation and consistent service.
You will lead by example on the floor, help build a new team culture, and deliver a warm, relaxed experience for a high tourist footfall guest base. High performance will be recognised quickly, with genuine progression into higher roles as the business grows.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead service on the floor and set standards from day one
- Deliver exceptional customer service in a calm, relaxed environment
- Ensure professional presentation of self and team at all times
- Support the training and development of a brand-new team
- Work closely with the kitchen to ensure smooth service and great guest experience
- Handle guest questions or concerns confidently and professionally
- Keep service simple, effective and aligned to the restaurant's systems
- Support peak periods
Performance Metrics & Key Deliverables
- Customer satisfaction and positive guest feedback
- Consistency of service standards and professionalism
- Effective team leadership during service
- Smooth handling of peak periods without losing the relaxed environment
- Contribution to building a positive reopening culture
Training, Reopening & Progression Opportunity
This is a reopening team. You will be part of opening the restaurant back up and setting the tone for service standards and culture.
- Training provided
- Progression can be rapid for high performers
- Clear FOH route: Head Waiter Assistant Manager
Working Pattern
- Operating hours: 10:30am - 11:00pm
- Typical shifts: 08:30am - 5:00pm (opening) / 4:30pm - 11:30pm (closing)
- Double shifts may be available
- The restaurant may close one day per week (day to be confirmed)
Candidate Profile
Essential Skills & Experience required
- Experience in a senior waiter / head waiter role
- Strong customer service skills and calm leadership presence
- Excellent communication and team coordination
- High standards of professional presentation
- Willingness to learn, follow the system, and build something from reopening
Desirable Skills & Experience required
- Experience in tourist-heavy or high-footfall Central London venues
- Experience supporting training, onboarding or opening teams
Team Structure
- Works closely with the kitchen leadership team
- Supports and leads the wider front of house team during service
General Responsibilities
- Uphold restaurant standards, values and service expectations at all times
- Follow the system and ways of working agreed for the reopening
- Maintain a professional appearance and attitude on shift
- Comply with all relevant legislation and internal policies relating to health & safety
- Support a calm, personable environment while delivering consistently high standards
Universal Personal Responsibilities
- That you always present a professional image, both on site and to guests, and to be an ambassador for the restaurant by demonstrating its values
- That you follow the correct processes and understand the consequences of failing to do so, and that you actively share responsibility with the owners, managers and team for the success of the business
- That you treat all colleagues fairly, working according to the principles of equal opportunity and respect
- That you are willing to work in excess of usual working hours when the balance of the business needs it, with flexibility where there is a clear benefit to the business
- That you are compliant with all legal requirements relevant to your role and support the team to uphold those standards
Universal Team Participation Responsibilities
- That you understand, question where appropriate, and agree the Team Objectives, service standards and your own Personal Objectives
- Can explain the expectations of your role and the measures of success
- Attend one-to-one reviews and performance check-ins on a regular basis to ensure your objectives are clear and up to date
- That you comply with all processes and procedures to ensure that personal, team and business performance standards are maintained
- That you take ownership of work and contribute to making decisions
- That problem solving and creative thinking are actively applied to maximise guest satisfaction and service quality
- That you are a team player and support your colleagues as appropriate
- That you seek to continuously improve performance by learning and developing new skills and keeping up to date with best practice in hospitality
- That you take ownership of personal development, seeking feedback and training to continuously improve performance and contribution
- That you undergo appropriate levels of coaching, development and support when needed
- That you provide ideas and suggestions for improving your own and team performance
- That you remain adaptable and responsive to business needs, demonstrating flexibility in supporting team and organisational goals
- Actively provide constructive feedback and suggestions to support continuous improvement across the restaurant