At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the guest experience and hosting in a vibrant restaurant environment.
- Company: Join Eastlands Venue Services, a dynamic hospitality team at the Etihad Campus.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous holiday allowance, and complimentary meals on shift.
- Other info: Great career development opportunities in a fast-growing entertainment destination.
- Why this job: Be the face of premium dining and create unforgettable experiences for guests.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Medlock Square marks a bold new chapter in the evolution of the Etihad Campus — a vibrant, year‑round destination for culture, leisure and entertainment, set alongside two global icons: the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, and the landmark Co‑op Live arena. Named after the River Medlock that runs beneath the site, the development celebrates Manchester’s industrial heritage while shaping its next era of city‑defining 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 city’s position as one of Europe’s 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 all‑day 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 SevenRooms 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.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- 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. OpenTable, SevenRooms 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 within 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.
Why Join Us?
- Private Medical Insurance (Vitality) – including Virtual GP access and rewards
- Group Life Assurance – 4x salary paid to your nominated beneficiary
- Birthday Day Off – an extra day to celebrate
- Complimentary Meals on Shift – breakfast, lunch, fruit and hot drinks
- Employee Assistance Programme & Wellbeing Platform – including counselling support
- Employee Discounts Platform (Blackhawk) – cashback and savings across major retailers
- Company Pension Scheme
- Generous Holiday Allowance – plus bank holidays
- Career Development Opportunities – with progression across the campus
Eastlands Venue Services Limited is a joint venture between City Football Group (CFG) and Oak View Group (OVG). We deliver high-quality catering and hospitality services year-round across the Etihad Stadium and Co-op Live, supporting events for Manchester City Football Club and some of the biggest names in entertainment. With a growing team of over 100 permanent staff and around 3,000 casual workers, through teamwork, innovation and excellence, we support 150 + live events annually. The Etihad Campus is evolving into a world-class entertainment destination, creating exciting new opportunities - and we’d love for you to be part of our team!
Locations
Restaurant Head Host in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Eastlands Venue Services Limited
At Eastlands Venue Services Limited, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on teamwork and innovation. Located at the heart of Manchester's dynamic Etihad Campus, our team enjoys generous benefits including private medical insurance, career development opportunities, and a supportive environment that fosters personal growth. Join us in delivering high-quality hospitality experiences while being part of a landmark destination that celebrates Manchester's rich heritage and future.
Contact Details:
Eastlands Venue Services Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Restaurant Head Host in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Eastlands Venue Services Limited. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Eastlands Venue Services Limited
Don't be shy about reaching out to Eastlands Venue Services Limited directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Restaurant Head Host in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Eastlands Venue Services Limited and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eastlands Venue Services Limited
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
