LEAD SERVER
Reports to Restaurant Manager; position is non-exempt
Accepting applications through April 5th, 2025, or until filled
THE ROLE
The Lead Server reports to Food + Beverage Leadership and works in a team environment with other F+B professionals, including bartenders, servers, dishwashers, cooks, and chefs. It is critical the person in this position possesses a background and knowledge in service techniques and has a natural ability to manage time. The Lead Server is responsible for supporting the front-of-house dining experience, ensuring exceptional customer service, and training the service team. This position requires strong leadership, multitasking, and excellent communication skills to maintain a smooth and efficient dining operation. The Lead Server is responsible for creating memorable guest experiences, and not being only an order-taker. They are responsible for the timely and friendly delivery of food and drinks. In-depth menu knowledge is necessary to ensure safe service to guests with allergies and restrictions. Ongoing beverage tasting and training will allow the Server to expand their knowledge of beer, wine, and spirits. All of our service team members are expected to be reliable and responsible.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Uphold and model the company's principles of People, Place and Character, driving collaboration, intuition and translocal hospitality
- Lead, train, and mentor servers to maintain excellent service standards
- Oversee table assignments, reservations, and ensuring training standards are maintained during service.
- Support management in addressing and resolving guest concerns promptly and professionally.
- Assist with order accuracy, food presentation, and timely delivery.
- Assist in all aspects of a guest's experience from beginning to end by extending a friendly greeting in an inviting environment, ensuring proper steps of service to create exceptional guest experiences, executing on requests in a friendly and timely manner, ensuring satisfaction throughout and adjusting as necessary
- Participate in daily lineups and staff meetings to further develop ideas and objectives with the service team while simultaneously providing constructive feedback and strategizing to overcome and correct any previously missed opportunities
- Be accountable for working knowledge of the menus, menu ingredients and what is unavailable for the day; and to serve alcohol safely, responsibly, and legally; and of course, accurately account for all monetary transactions during your shift
- Serve food and beverage items based upon each guest's specific requests by respecting the health and safety measures procedures to keep you and the guest safe and healthy
- Ensure your workstation is clean and organized, with the utmost respect for your guests, peers, and equipment
- Ensure you demonstrate a sense of urgency for guest requests
- Assist in processing payments and handling cash/credit transactions.
- Demonstrate an understanding of basic culinary and beverage terms and strive to know more through constant study of your craft; use your knowledge of the food and beverage menu to create exceptional dining experiences
- Observe conditions of all physical facilities and relay any challenges to the food and beverage leadership team to make corrections and improvements as needed; and communicate promptly with the F+B and Culinary teams to ensure all guests get their food as ordered in timely fashion
- Assist in other areas of the F+B Department as needed
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- Passion for the People, Place and Culture of our community, love of restaurants and guest service also required
- Minimum of one (2) year experience as a restaurant server in either a free-standing or hotel restaurant
- Previous Lead/training experience a plus
- TIPS alcohol service certification preferred
- Ability to meet local age requirements in order to serve alcohol
- Availability to work a flexible schedule to include mornings, weekends and holidays
- Fluency in English, verbal and written
- Ability to continuously stand and/or walk for the majority of a shift, including negotiating wet tile floor and steps
- Fine motor coordination is needed to pour beverages, decorate cocktails and folding napkins
- Ability to roll and/or carry tables and chairs when needed
- Ability to lift and/or carry a 30 lb. tray, crate or box
- Ability to carry over shoulder occasionally
- Utilize hand and elbow movements for polishing glassware, silver, setting up tables, shaking, pouring and mixing drinks
- Excellent sight and balance needed for negotiating varied floor surfaces
- Ability to handle lighted candles and hot fluids (coffee and tea)
WHO WE ARE
Hotels done differently. At Aparium, we believe in the power of People, Place and Character. We ensure our hotels are a place where individuals are valued and celebrated, elevating our associates' pride in who they are, where they live and who we serve. Our hotel is a tribute to the neighborhoods and the people of the communities where we operate.
A little bit rebel, a little bit refined, The Populus is smart and sophisticated, charming, and confident, and always down for shaking up the status quo. Consistently moving the needle on what a social club can be, Populus thrives on the counterculture spirit, constantly challenging what it means to gather and engage while connecting guests to each other and what inspires them. Populus believes the more interested you are, the more interesting you are!
Stellar Jay continues this philosophy but brings the influence of live fire to the cuisine with an open fire hearth. The menu will focus on rustic, communal dishes that fuel the lively atmosphere. The beverage program at Stellar Jay invites guests to enjoy the festive and bright atmosphere of the rooftop restaurant with an emphasis on shaken cocktails, approachable wines by the glass, and playful Zero Proof offerings. Hospitality at Stellar Jay will be intentional, detailed, and knowledgeable while encouraging the rebellious and playful spirit of the setting.
The hotel is managed by Aparium Hotel Group. Founded in 2011, Aparium is driven by the belief that all hospitality experiences should be fueled by the poetics of their surroundings and was born with an intense focus on unearthing the amazing moments unique to every city. Since its founding, Aparium has grown into a new kind of hotel brand, one that ventures off the beaten path, both geographically and philosophically. Recognized by Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards as a leading hotel brand, Aparium is known for its singular ability to combine the business acumen of large hospitality companies with the charm of boutique hotels, bringing the disparate forces together in bustling, smaller markets.
Base Hourly Rate $19.81 ($22 - $35) plus tips - associates will participate in a whole house tip pool where tips are shared with hourly associates that contribute to the guest experience.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aparium Hospitality Services celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, and sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are, where they come from and take pride in who we serve. Aparium is an E-Verify employer.
Aparium Hotel Group
Mar 23, 2025 