How should I structure the application process in a Maitre d' job description?

Date modified: 29th September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Restaurant Duty Manager Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a successful restaurant serving 180+ covers daily with emphasis on operational excellence, team leadership, and exceptional guest experiences. Our duty manager oversees daily operations during designated shifts, ensuring smooth service delivery and staff coordination. This role combines operational management with hands-on support, leading teams while maintaining service standards and handling escalated situations. You'll work in a fast-paced environment managing both front-of-house and back-of-house coordination during busy service periods. The position offers excellent progression opportunities including general manager and multi-site management roles, with involvement in staff development, operational improvements, and business growth within our restaurant group.
• Oversee daily restaurant operations during assigned shifts including service coordination and quality control • Manage and motivate front-of-house and back-of-house teams ensuring efficient collaboration and communication • Handle escalated guest complaints and service issues with professionalism and effective resolution strategies • Monitor service standards and food quality, implementing corrective actions when necessary • Manage staff scheduling, break coverage, and shift assignments to optimize operational efficiency • Oversee opening and closing procedures including cash handling, security protocols, and facility checks • Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, food safety protocols, and licensing requirements • Coordinate with kitchen management on service flow, special requirements, and timing optimization • Handle administrative duties including sales reporting, inventory management, and incident documentation • Implement company policies and procedures while maintaining positive team morale and performance • Manage cash handling procedures, till reconciliation, and financial accountability during shifts • Support staff training, performance management, and development initiatives
Essential Skills: Proven management experience with ability to lead diverse teams under pressure; comprehensive understanding of restaurant operations including service, kitchen, and administrative functions; strong problem-solving abilities for handling operational challenges and guest complaints; excellent communication skills for staff management and guest relations; financial awareness including cash handling, cost control, and basic P&L understanding; knowledge of health and safety, food safety, and employment regulations. Preferred Qualifications: 3+ years restaurant management or supervisory experience; hospitality management qualification or equivalent professional training; experience with POS systems, scheduling software, and operational technology; wine and beverage knowledge for comprehensive service oversight; additional language skills for diverse teams and guest demographics; conflict resolution and performance management training.
We're looking for experienced restaurant professionals with at least 3 years in management or senior supervisory roles, demonstrating ability to lead teams and manage operations effectively. You should have solid understanding of restaurant operations, natural leadership skills, and proven track record in hospitality management. While formal management qualifications are valuable, we care more about your practical experience, problem-solving ability, and commitment to operational excellence. We provide ongoing management development including advanced leadership training and operational skills enhancement. Career advancement opportunities include general manager, area manager, and regional management positions within our expanding restaurant group. We support professional growth through management training programs, mentoring relationships, and cross-functional experience opportunities.
We're looking for someone who combines strong operational knowledge with inspirational leadership qualities, motivating teams while maintaining exacting standards for service quality and operational efficiency. You should be decisive under pressure, able to prioritize multiple demands, and skilled at developing team capabilities. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence for staff management, and commitment to creating positive workplace culture. You should be organized, analytical, and able to balance business objectives with team development and guest satisfaction. We value collaborative leadership, continuous improvement mindset, and results-oriented approach, seeking someone who drives operational success while fostering team growth and maintaining our service standards.
Competitive management salary of £28,000-£34,000 annually based on experience and operational capabilities, with quarterly performance reviews and merit-based advancement opportunities. Comprehensive management benefits package includes: performance bonus structure tied to operational KPIs and guest satisfaction metrics; nutritious staff meals during all shifts; 28 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays and professional development time. Leadership development opportunities including management training programs, operational certifications, and potential advancement to senior management roles. Health and wellness benefits, flexible working arrangements where possible, and management recognition programs celebrating operational excellence and team development achievements.

Structure comprehensive maitre d' application process including detailed application requirements covering CV and cover letter with professional presentation, professional portfolio and reference verification from luxury establishments, multi-stage interview process with practical assessments evaluating service and leadership capabilities, cultural fit evaluation and service philosophy alignment ensuring establishment compatibility, background checks and employment verification maintaining professional standards, and clear timeline with feedback communication for professional candidate experience throughout the selection process.

Common misunderstanding: Application processes should be minimal to attract candidates rather than comprehensive evaluation ensuring quality selection and cultural fit for luxury establishments.

Comprehensive application processes attract serious professionals whilst ensuring quality selection and cultural alignment for demanding luxury hospitality roles. Thorough evaluation often improves hiring success whilst reducing turnover and ensuring operational excellence from appointment.

Common misunderstanding: Extensive requirements discourage applications rather than filtering for qualified candidates who appreciate professional standards and luxury service excellence.

Professional requirements attract qualified candidates whilst filtering unsuitable applicants for efficient selection. Quality requirements often improve application pools whilst ensuring professional commitment and cultural fit for luxury hospitality environments.

What documentation should I require for Maitre d' job description applications?

Require comprehensive CV with detailed hospitality experience including progression and achievements in luxury establishments, professional cover letter demonstrating cultural sophistication and service philosophy alignment, portfolio showcasing service achievements and leadership examples including guest feedback and professional recognition, verified professional references from luxury establishments confirming performance and character, certification documentation and training records demonstrating professional development commitment, and language proficiency evidence for international guest service capabilities including multilingual communication skills.

Common misunderstanding: Documentation requirements are bureaucratic rather than professional assessment tools that evaluate qualification depth and commitment for luxury hospitality positions.

Documentation provides comprehensive evaluation of experience, skills, achievements, and professional commitment essential for maitre d' roles. Quality documentation often indicates professionalism whilst ensuring thorough assessment and informed selection decisions.

Common misunderstanding: Portfolio requirements are excessive for service positions rather than professional standard that demonstrates achievement and capability in luxury hospitality management.

Portfolios demonstrate achievement, capability, professional development, and service excellence that distinguish qualified maitre d' candidates. Professional portfolios often improve assessment whilst ensuring comprehensive evaluation and quality selection for luxury positions.

How do I design interview stages for Maitre d' job description selection process?

Design initial screening interview for experience and cultural fit assessment including service philosophy and professional motivation, practical service demonstration and leadership scenario evaluation testing operational capability and team management, panel interview with management and team interaction assessing collaborative skills and cultural integration, cultural sensitivity and international awareness assessment evaluating guest service capability, guest relations roleplay and problem-solving challenges demonstrating diplomatic skills and service recovery, and final interview for compensation and commitment discussion ensuring mutual understanding and professional alignment.

Common misunderstanding: Multiple interview stages waste time rather than comprehensive evaluation ensuring cultural fit and operational capability for demanding luxury hospitality positions.

Multi-stage interviews enable thorough assessment of skills, cultural fit, and operational capability whilst ensuring informed selection decisions. Comprehensive evaluation often improves hiring success whilst reducing turnover and ensuring immediate operational contribution.

Common misunderstanding: Practical assessments are unnecessary for experienced candidates rather than essential evaluation of current capability and cultural alignment for luxury service environments.

Practical assessments evaluate current skills, cultural alignment, and operational capability regardless of experience level. Skills demonstration often reveals capability whilst ensuring realistic assessment and cultural fit for demanding luxury hospitality positions.

Common misunderstanding: Interview processes should focus on experience rather than comprehensive evaluation including personality, cultural fit, and service philosophy alignment for luxury hospitality success.

Comprehensive evaluation encompasses experience, personality, cultural fit, and service philosophy that collectively determine maitre d' success. Holistic assessment often improves selection whilst ensuring long-term success and cultural integration in luxury hospitality environments.