Maitre D

Maitre D’ / Guest Relations Manager
Elder | New York City
*Opening Team*

Fine dining or upscale hospitality experience preferred

Chef Sujan Sarkar’s newest concept, Elder, is a modern British Indian chophouse opening in New York City. Elder blends the bold flavors and spices of India with the warmth, tradition, and refinement of a classic British chophouse.

We are seeking a polished, hospitality-driven Maitre D’ / Guest Relations Manager to join our opening front-of-house leadership team. This role is essential in creating exceptional first and last impressions for every guest while overseeing reservations, guest experience, and front door operations.

The ideal candidate is warm, poised, highly organized, and confident under pressure. This position requires strong communication, exceptional guest awareness, and the ability to manage reservations, seating strategy, and guest relationships at the highest level.

This role goes beyond traditional host stand responsibilities. We are seeking someone who understands hospitality as relationship-building—someone who can recognize guests, anticipate needs, manage VIP experiences, and help create a culture of elevated service and personalized hospitality.

Guest Relations & Hospitality

• Provide a warm, polished, and professional welcome to every guest
• Create exceptional first and last impressions through genuine hospitality
• Build meaningful relationships with guests while maintaining professionalism and discretion
• Recognize VIPs, regulars, and special occasion guests while personalizing their experience
• Handle guest inquiries, requests, and concerns with urgency, professionalism, and grace
• Support high-profile and VIP guest experiences with exceptional attention to detail

Reservations & Door Management

• Manage reservations, guest flow, and seating strategy with precision
• Maintain strong command of reservation systems and daily booking management
• Optimize seating to ensure balanced service flow and guest satisfaction
• Communicate effectively with management and FOH teams regarding reservations and guest needs
• Anticipate operational challenges and proactively adjust seating plans as needed

Team Communication & Service Support

• Work closely with management, Captains, and FOH team to maintain seamless service flow
• Communicate guest preferences, special requests, and VIP notes clearly to service teams
• Support the dining room as needed to ensure operational excellence
• Maintain calm, composed leadership during high-volume service periods
• Contribute to a culture of hospitality, professionalism, and accountability

• 2–4 years of experience in fine dining, upscale hospitality, or luxury guest-facing roles
• Strong experience with reservation systems such as OpenTable, Resy, or similar platforms
• Strong guest recognition and relationship-building skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Professional, polished, and guest-focused demeanor
• Ability to remain calm, composed, and solution-oriented under pressure
• Strong attention to detail and exceptional hospitality instincts

We are building a hospitality program centered around precision, warmth, consistency, and genuine guest connection.

This is a hands-on opening team with high expectations across all positions. We are seeking professionals who are passionate about hospitality, value excellence, and understand the importance of creating memorable guest experiences from the moment guests arrive.

Elder is committed to developing strong hospitality professionals and creating opportunities for growth within the organization. We value leadership, long-term development, and individuals who want to grow with the team.