Reservations Manager - London

The Coal Shed is looking for an experienced and confident Reception Supervisor to lead our front-of-house reception and reservations team in London. The Coal Shed London celebrates coal-roasted rare breed heritage meat and South Coast seafood, inspired by Founder Raz Helalat's Persian roots by cooking over fire. Located moments away from Tower Bridge, the restaurant offers a seasonal a la carte menu, daily specials, sharing fish and meat dishes, and an award-winning Sunday sharing roast. Occupying two floors, The Coal Shed London is a modern open-plan grill restaurant with a private dining room and cocktail bar.

This is a hands-on role for someone who genuinely understands what great hospitality looks like. You will be one of the first faces our guests meet and will play a key role in creating a warm, professional and memorable experience from the moment a booking is made through to the moment they leave. You will take ownership of the reservations and reception operation, ensuring our guests are looked after, our bookings are managed effectively and the team is organised and confident throughout service. You will also work closely with our Events team, supporting the planning and coordination of events and helping to convert enquiries into fantastic experiences for our guests.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead and develop the Reception department, creating a friendly, organised and welcoming environment.
• Oversee the day-to-day running of reception, reservations and guest enquiries.
• Manage reservations and guest information using SevenRooms and OpenTable, ensuring bookings, notes, guest preferences and special requests are accurate and up to date.
• Manage and coordinate event enquiries and bookings using Collins, working closely with the Events team to ensure every detail is captured and communicated.
• Support the Events team with event enquiries, planning, guest communication and the smooth running of events.
• Build strong relationships with regular guests and ensure VIPs, special occasions and returning guests receive a genuinely personal experience.
• Monitor bookings, table plans, pacing and restaurant capacity to maximise the guest experience and support the commercial performance of the restaurant.
• Deal confidently and professionally with guest enquiries, feedback and complaints, resolving issues wherever possible.
• Communicate effectively with the wider management team, kitchen and events teams to ensure everyone is prepared for service.
• Support the restaurant management team with the smooth running of service when required.
• Train, coach and develop the reception team, ensuring high standards are consistently maintained.
• Keep the reception area professional, welcoming and organised at all times.
• Ensure all guest information and reservations are managed accurately and efficiently.

What we're looking for:

• We're looking for someone who is warm, organised, commercially aware and confident.
• You will naturally enjoy talking to people and will understand that the guest experience starts long before someone walks through the restaurant door.
• Previous experience as a Reception Supervisor or similar role within a busy, high-volume restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Strong working knowledge of SevenRooms and OpenTable.
• Experience using Collins or a similar events and booking management system.
• Experience supporting or managing events and private dining enquiries.
• Excellent organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple bookings, enquiries and priorities without losing focus.
• A friendly, confident and professional personality.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• The ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
• The confidence to deal with guests, including challenging situations, calmly and professionally.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
• The ability to work under pressure while maintaining high standards and a positive attitude.
• Flexibility to support the wider restaurant management team when required.
• Eligibility to work full-time in the UK.

Most importantly: We're looking for someone who loves hospitality. Someone who enjoys being at the heart of the restaurant, knows their regulars by name, notices the small details and understands that a great guest experience is about far more than simply managing a booking. If you're highly organised, naturally welcoming and enjoy working in a busy restaurant where no two days are the same, we'd love to hear from you.

In return we offer a truly competitive pay package, a great professional environment, fantastic training, and the chance to grow and develop your career, plus access to an array of benefits.

As a Reception Supervisor you will enjoy these benefits:

• A truly competitive pay package.
• Free food and drinks when working.
• Team incentives, trips and rewards.
• Treat yourself, family and friends to 50% discount in any of our restaurants.
• Book your birthday off - guaranteed.
• An additional day's holiday every year for the first five years.
• We reward Refer a Friend.
• Access to our cycle to work scheme.

By joining The Coal Shed, you will become part of one of the leading restaurant groups. At Blackrock Restaurant Group we pride ourselves on recruiting strong passionate individuals that thrive working in hospitality and being part of an established team. Great progression opportunities available across the group to any future stars from all departments. If you want to be part of something special then come and be part of the friendliest team in town, we would love to hear from you.