Lead Host

Lead Host
Position Type: Full-Time, Hourly
Schedule: Wednesday through Sunday; holidays as needed. This is a five-day workweek position. Saturdays and Sundays are required. Scheduling will adjust based on business needs and club demands.
Reports To: Clubhouse Management Team; Food and Beverage Manager

Position Overview:

The Lead Host is the first and last impression of the Echo Lake dining experience. This highly visible role oversees the host stand, manages reservations and dining room flow, and ensures a seamless, polished arrival and departure experience for Members and their guests.

As a private club, we serve Members first while extending exceptional hospitality to their guests. The Lead Host is expected to know Member names, recognize preferences, and maintain a confident, professional presence while guiding the host team and supporting service execution.

Responsibilities:

Member & Guest Experience:

• Greet and acknowledge Members and guests promptly.
• Address Members by name whenever possible.
• Escort guests to tables with professionalism and poise.
• Ensure every guest is thanked upon departure.
• Reservations & Floor Management.
• Manage daily lunch and dinner reservations.
• Confirm party size, seating preferences, and special occasions.
• Maintain accurate information in Club Essentials.
• Oversee seating rotation and control dining room flow.
• Communicate VIPs, allergies, and special notes to service staff.
• Offer solutions when dining is fully committed.
• Support and guide host team members during service.
• Dining Room Leadership Presence.
• Ensure tables are properly set prior to seating.
• Coordinate with managers and service staff to maintain pacing and table turns.
• Assist with large party coordination and special event seating.
• Remain visible, composed, and in control during high-volume service.

Phone & Communication Standards:

• Answer calls professionally and take reservations accurately.
• Gather complete information before transferring calls.
• Brief team members before transferring calls when necessary.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with dining and management teams.
• Professional Standards.
• Maintain a polished appearance and positive demeanor.
• Exercise discretion and sound judgment.
• Uphold Echo Lake’s hospitality philosophy and service standards.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Previous hospitality or hosting experience required.
• Private club or fine dining experience preferred.
• Strong leadership presence and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional, service-oriented demeanor.

Working Conditions:

• Requires extensive standing, walking, bending, lifting, and stretching.
• Must be able to stand for up to 10 hours at a time.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 35 lbs.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Hourly Pay Rate: $17.00 - 20.00; based on experience and qualifications.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• FSA, Dependent Care, and HRA accounts.
• Complimentary employee meals during scheduled shifts.
• Golf and club privileges, where applicable.
• Employee discounts on select Pro Shop merchandise.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including vacation and sick time.

Echo Lake Country Club, located in Westfield, New Jersey, just thirty miles from New York City, is an esteemed 18-hole member-owned club with a rich history dating back to 1899. The Club's golf course was designed by Donald Ross in 1913. Echo Lake Country Club was formed through the merger of the Cranford Golf Club and the Westfield Golf Club, and it boasts a family-oriented atmosphere, championship golf course, pool, and paddle program. A recent $12-million renovation has transformed the 30,000 square-foot Clubhouse into a vibrant hub, offering three bars, banquet facilities, multi-level dining, expansive patios, and breathtaking Manhattan Skyline views. In 2021, Echo Lake's Clubhouse was honored with the "Clubhouse Renovation of the Year" award from Club Inc. Magazine. The Club maintains a substantial waitlist for membership and boasts a long-term employment history.