At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the guest experience and hosting across premium restaurant venues.
- Company: Join a vibrant destination at Medlock Square, near iconic venues.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical insurance, generous holiday allowance, and complimentary meals.
- Other info: Opportunities for career development and progression across the campus.
- Why this job: Shape unforgettable experiences for guests in a dynamic hospitality environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in guest experience leadership and exceptional interpersonal skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ 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. 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. Familiarity with reservations platforms (e.g. OpenTable, SevenRooms or similar). 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
- Access to discounted Tickets at Co-op Live subject to availability
- 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
Head Host: VIP & Event Guest Experience in Manchester employer: Eastlands Venue Services Limited
At Medlock Square, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that celebrates Manchester's rich heritage while providing a dynamic environment for personal and professional growth. As the Head Host, you will enjoy a range of benefits including private medical insurance, generous holiday allowances, and career development opportunities, all while leading a passionate team in delivering unforgettable guest experiences in one of Europe's most exciting destinations.
Contact Details:
Eastlands Venue Services Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Host: VIP & Event Guest Experience in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join local groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show up in style! When you land an interview, dress to impress and embody the vibe of the venue. Remember, as Head Host, you’ll be setting the tone for guest experiences, so let your personality shine through in your appearance and attitude.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to guest experience and hospitality. Role-play with a friend or family member to build confidence and refine your responses. We want you to nail that first impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Medlock Square. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something special!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Host: VIP & Event Guest Experience in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Use a friendly tone and share your passion for hospitality — it’ll help us get a feel for how you’d fit into our vibrant team.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in premium or lifestyle hospitality environments. We’re looking for someone who understands the guest journey, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities of the Head Host position. It’s all about showing us why you’re the perfect fit!
Be Specific About Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you’ve used them in real situations. Whether it’s managing reservations or leading a team, we want to hear about your successes and how you’ve created exceptional guest experiences in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at Medlock Square!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eastlands Venue Services Limited
✨Know the Venue Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Medlock Square thoroughly. Understand its concept, the types of events it hosts, and the overall guest experience it aims to provide. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for the role and how you can contribute to creating exceptional experiences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Host, you'll be leading a team and setting the tone for guest interactions. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or improved guest satisfaction. Highlight your ability to inspire and train others, as well as how you handle high-pressure situations during busy events.
✨Master the Art of Personalisation
In this role, personalising the guest experience is key. Think of ways you can create memorable moments for guests, especially VIPs. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've used in the past to build relationships with guests and how you would implement similar approaches at Medlock Square.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Reservation Systems
Since you'll be managing reservations and guest flow, it's crucial to be comfortable with platforms like SevenRooms. If you have experience with similar systems, be prepared to discuss it. If not, take some time to learn about SevenRooms and how it can enhance guest experiences, showing your proactive approach to the role.
