Head Waiter (40 hours) New Opening! in Manchester

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 Waiter, you’ll lead the restaurant team, ensuring smooth service, strong team coordination between front of house and back of house, and a consistently high-quality guest experience. This is a hands-on role where you’ll take ownership of your section, acting as the key point of contact for both guests and team members during service. You’ll support junior staff, maintain service standards, and work closely with management to deliver a seamless operation. You’ll play an important role in setting the tone on the floor — combining strong service and menu knowledge with energy, attention to detail, and a natural ability to lead by example.

You will be responsible for:

• Service & Guest Experience: Deliver a consistently high‑quality and engaging guest experience throughout every service. Take ownership of your section, ensuring smooth service flow, strong coordination, and attention to detail. Confidently guide guests through the menu, offering informed recommendations and responding to queries or feedback with professionalism and warmth. Anticipate guest needs to create a welcoming, memorable experience that reflects the venue’s standards.
• Section Leadership: Lead and coordinate Servers and Runners within your section, supporting the team to maintain pace, quality, and service consistency. Act as a key communication link between Front of House and Back of House, ensuring clear information flow and efficient service delivery. Support effective table turns, pacing, and timing to optimise both guest experience and operational performance.
• Operational Excellence: Support opening and closing procedures, ensuring your section is fully prepared and service‑ready. Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and presentation throughout service. Adapt confidently to high‑volume periods, including matchdays and major events, while maintaining service quality and composure.
• Team Development & Culture: Support the training and onboarding of new team members through on‑the‑job guidance and coaching. Lead by example during service, contributing to a positive, energetic, and professional team environment that encourages collaboration and high performance.
• Standards & Compliance: Uphold all health & safety, food safety, and licensing requirements at all times. Ensure company service standards are consistently delivered, maintaining high levels of personal presentation, professionalism, and accountability.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Essential:

• Experience as a Waiter/Server in a premium or high-volume environment
• Strong understanding of service standards and guest experience
• Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead a section and support a team during service
• Calm and organised under pressure

Desirable:

• Experience as a Head Waiter / Senior Server
• Knowledge of wines, cocktails, or premium food service
• Experience in high-energy or concept-led dining 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