Maître D

Title: Maître D

Location: Suzu - Cincinnati, OH

Suzu is Chef Makoto Okuwa's recently opened contemporary Japanese restaurant at Madison Square in Cincinnati. We call it Japanese Neighborhood Dining: sushi, grill and noodles served with intentional hospitality, whether a guest is in for a quiet dinner or a full table of friends.

Position Overview and Key Responsibilities:

The Maître D' owns the guest's experience from first contact to farewell and runs the front door and floor during service. You set the pace of the night: who sits where, when, and how the dining room, bar, patio, private dining room and omakase counter flow together.

You lead the host team, partner with the kitchen and bar on timing, and are the face of Suzu to regulars, VIPs and first-time guests alike. You report to the General Manager and work closely with the Assistant General Manager and Bar Manager.

• Greet and seat every guest with warmth, and remember names, preferences, allergies and occasions.
• Recognize regulars and VIPs, and make sure the team knows who is in the house.
• Resolve complaints and service recoveries on the spot, with grace and good judgment.
• Check in with tables throughout service and bid guests farewell at the door.
• Manage the OpenTable book: covers, pacing, table turns, waitlist and walk-ins.
• Build nightly floor plans and server sections across the dining room, bar, patio and private tea room.
• Coordinate seatings for the ten-seat Suzuné omakase counter once it launches, including confirmations, deposits and cancellations.
• Keep guest notes and profiles accurate in the reservation system.
• Handle group and private dining inquiries, from booking to day-of execution.
• Keep the entrance, host stand and dining room guest-ready all night.
• Respond to reservation emails, calls and online reviews in Suzu's voice.
• Track covers, no-shows and guest feedback, and share insights with management.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years in front-of-house leadership at a high-volume or upscale restaurant, as maître d', host manager or floor manager.
• Hands-on experience with OpenTable or a similar reservation system.
• Calm, decisive judgment on a full book and a busy door.
• Polished communication in person, by phone and in writing.
• Availability for evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to stand for a full shift and move through the dining room for long periods.