RESTAURANT OPERATIONS ASSISTANT

Job Type: Part-Time
Expected Hours: 20–25 hours per week
Compensation: $20–$23 per hour, based on experience
Additional Compensation: Commission opportunities for qualifying catering and private-event sales
Reports To: Owner and Assistant General Manager

About Uptown Social

Uptown Social is a restaurant, cocktail bar and live music destination rooted in Southern hospitality and Boston culture. Located in Boston’s historic South End, our home at 604 Columbus Avenue has welcomed generations of guests. Today, we are writing its next chapter through soulful food, thoughtful service, live entertainment and a genuine sense of belonging.

We are looking for a highly organized, hospitality-minded professional who enjoys both the energy of the dining room and the details behind it. This is an opportunity to learn the business of hospitality from the inside while helping a growing independent restaurant become stronger, smarter and more connected.

Position Summary

The Restaurant Operations Assistant supports the administrative rhythm, guest communications and revenue-generating activities of Uptown Social.

Reporting to the Assistant General Manager, this person will help manage the restaurant’s general inbox, coordinate reservations and large-party accommodations, maintain important business records, compile operating reports and provide floor support during selected services and events.

This is a hands-on support position for someone who communicates well, follows through and knows how to move a task from pending to complete. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable responding to a guest inquiry, organizing a vendor file, reviewing a Toast report and helping the team welcome a large party.

The position is expected to begin at approximately 20 hours per week, with the potential to grow to 25 hours based on business needs, individual performance and revenue generated.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Communications and Reservations

• Monitor and respond to messages sent to the restaurant’s general email inbox
• Route media, partnership, donation, entertainment and vendor inquiries to the appropriate team member
• Book and confirm guest reservations
• Respond to large-party inquiries and explain approved reservation options, policies and minimums
• Maintain accurate reservation notes, guest details and special accommodations
• Track pending inquiries and complete timely follow-up
• Prepare a weekly overview of upcoming large parties, special reservations and events
• Escalate sensitive guest concerns and unusual requests to management

Catering and Private Events

• Respond to catering and private-event inquiries
• Gather information about event dates, guest counts, budgets and service needs
• Send approved menus, packages and event information
• Maintain an organized event sales pipeline
• Follow up with prospective clients and help move qualified opportunities toward confirmation
• Assist with agreements, deposits, final guest counts and event documentation
• Prepare confirmed event details for operational handoff
• Conduct post-event follow-up and help cultivate repeat business
• Identify opportunities to generate new catering and private-event leads

The position includes the opportunity to earn commissions on qualifying catering and private-event sales in accordance with the company’s written commission plan.

Administrative and Recordkeeping Support

• Maintain organized employee, vendor and financial files
• Track missing employee documents and required certifications
• Organize invoices, receipts, statements and supporting records
• Maintain vendor contact information, contracts, W-9s and certificates of insurance
• Coordinate approved service calls and maintain repair and maintenance records
• Track licenses, permits, subscriptions and certification expiration dates
• Maintain current operating forms, menus, event packages and internal documents
• Record meeting notes, assignments, deadlines and follow-up items
• Collect requested information from department managers and maintain accurate records

Reporting and Operational Support

• Compile weekly sales and operating reports using Toast and other restaurant systems
• Report sales by day, service period and revenue center
• Track food and beverage sales mix, product mix and top-selling items
• Compile information on covers, average guest check, discounts, comps, voids and refunds
• Track takeout, delivery, large-party and event revenue
• Compare results with prior periods and established targets
• Collect inventory and purchasing information from department managers
• Enter and organize department submissions and flag missing information
• Support scheduling administration, team communications and approved schedule updates
• Present information in clear, accurate and easy-to-review formats

Floor and Event Support

• Serve as a secondary floor lead during selected services, large parties and special events
• Support reservation flow, guest arrivals and seating accommodations
• Assist the AGM with pre-shift communication and established service priorities
• Reinforce restaurant procedures and guest-service standards
• Communicate service concerns to the AGM
• Help coordinate confirmed event details with the front and back of house
• Support opening or closing procedures when assigned

Qualifications

• At least one year of hospitality, restaurant, administrative or team-lead experience
• Strong organizational skills and exceptional follow-through
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Professional and welcoming guest-service skills
• Strong attention to detail and respect for confidential information
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Sound judgment about when to take action and when to escalate
• Comfort working independently within established priorities and procedures
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
• Ability to learn restaurant systems such as Toast, Resy and scheduling platforms
• Availability for a combination of administrative hours, evenings and weekends

Experience with restaurant reservations, private events, catering sales, purchasing, invoicing, scheduling or operational reporting is preferred. Spanish fluency is welcome but not required.

Certifications

Candidates should possess or be willing to obtain certifications required for their assigned responsibilities, which may include:

• Massachusetts Allergen Awareness
• Massachusetts Crowd Manager
• ServSafe Alcohol
• Conflict De-Escalation Training

What We Offer

• A starting rate of $20–$23 per hour, based on experience
• Approximately 20–25 hours per week
• Commission opportunities for qualifying catering and private-event sales
• Hands-on exposure to restaurant administration, event sales and operations
• Professional development and opportunities for increased responsibility
• Support for required job-related certifications
• Employee dining benefits
• The opportunity to contribute to an independent, culturally rooted Boston hospitality company
• A workplace where food, music, culture and community meet

Schedule

This position combines scheduled administrative hours with selected floor and event-support shifts. Some evening and weekend availability is required. The exact schedule will be established based on restaurant needs and the selected candidate’s availability.

Bar and Kitchen Hospitality, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates whose experience, perspective and personality will strengthen both our team and the experience we create for our guests.

Pay: $20.00 - $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Paid training

Application Question(s):

• Weekly Availability: This position requires consistent availability on Mondays for a scheduled shift between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, plus variable shifts Thursday through Sunday. Please list your exact availability for Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including any standing conflicts.
• Early Mornings, Late Nights and Transportation: Restaurant and event schedules may occasionally require arrival as early as 8:00 AM or departure as late as 4:00 AM. Are you able to work within this range when scheduled, and do you have reliable transportation available at those hours?
• Toast and OpenTable Experience: Describe your experience using Toast POS and OpenTable. For Toast, identify the reports or management functions you have personally used. For OpenTable, describe the reservation, guest or large-party functions you have managed. If you have not used one of these systems, state that clearly.
• Administrative Follow-Through: Give one specific example of an administrative or operational responsibility you personally managed from beginning to completion. This might include an event inquiry, reservation system, schedule, invoice process, vendor issue, employee file project or weekly sales report. What was your responsibility, and what was the result
• Role and Compensation Confirmation: This is a part-time support position offering 20–25 hours per week at $21–$23 per hour, with potential commission opportunities for qualifying catering and private-event bookings. The role combines administrative work, guest communication, data reporting and occasional floor leadership. Does this schedule, compensation and combination of responsibilities align with what you are seeking?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $24