Maître D

Position Overview

The Maître D' embodies the elevated hospitality experience that defines Rusty Pelican Miami. As the primary ambassador of our brand at the host stand, this leader ensures that every guest receives a warm, polished, and seamless arrival and departure. This role engages directly with guests, supports the host team, and reinforces our PRIDE core values through every interaction.

PRIDE Core Values

At Rusty Pelican Miami, we value:

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  P – Perseverance: Consistently demonstrates resilience during high-volume periods and changing priorities.

  
  


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  R – Respect: Treats guests and team members with professionalism, empathy, and inclusivity.

  
  


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  I – Integrity: Upholds company policies, communicates honestly, and leads by example.

  
  


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  D – Diversity: Welcomes and celebrates guests and employees from all backgrounds.

  
  


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  E – Evolving: Adapts quickly, embraces feedback, and continuously seeks improvement opportunities.

  
  

The Maître D' is expected to model and reinforce these values each day.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Hospitality

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  Deliver a warm and memorable guest welcome, maintaining a gracious and professional presence at all times.

  
  


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  Manage VIP experiences, special occasions, and guest preferences with meticulous attention to detail.

  
  


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  Resolve guest concerns promptly while ensuring special requests and service recovery follow our hospitality standards.

  
  


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  Champion PRIDE guest service behaviors at the front desk.

  
  

Floor & Reservation Management

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  Strategically manage reservations and seating flow using OpenTable (or designated system) to optimize turns and revenue.

  
  


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  Maintain communication with Management, Servers, Bar, and BOH teams to support seamless service execution.

  
  


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  Coordinate host stand operations, greeting flow, and lobby management during peak business hours.

  
  


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  Support private event seating needs in collaboration with the Sales & Banquet teams.

  
  

Leadership & Team Development

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  Lead and coach Hosts in elevated luxury service standards and guest communication.

  
  


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  Reinforce performance expectations through ongoing feedback, training, and recognition.

  
  


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  Maintain the host stand as a polished, welcoming, and organized space that reflects brand standards.

  
  

Administrative & Communication

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  Maintain detailed pre-shift notes including VIPs, large parties, and celebrations.

  
  


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  Ensure accurate waitlist and call-ahead management and guest communication through phone, text, and host stand systems.

  
  


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  Assist with staffing insight and provide feedback to management regarding host performance and development needs.

  
  

Qualifications

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  Previous experience in a Maître D' or Lead Host role within a high-volume, upscale restaurant environment.

  
  


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  Strong leadership, communication, and situational awareness skills.

  
  


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  Knowledge of reservation software (OpenTable) required.

  
  


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  Ability to remain poised and professional in a fast-paced environment.

  
  


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  Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.

  
  


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  Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred due to diverse guest demographics.

  
  

Physical Requirements

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  Ability to stand and walk for long periods while managing guest flow.

  
  


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  Ability to bend, reach, and lift up to 20 lbs as needed.

  
  

Why Join Rusty Pelican Miami?

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  Work at Miami's most iconic waterfront dining destination.

  
  


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  Professional development, leadership growth, and internal mobility opportunities.

  
  


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  A supportive and dynamic environment rooted in hospitality and our PRIDE values.

  
  

Pay Range: $25-28 per hour

All job offers are contingent upon successfully passing pre-employment background check