Neiman Marcus Restaurant Host
- Location
- San Diego California USA
- Employment
- Seasonal
- Seniority
- Entry-Level
- Compensation
- $18–20/hour
- Department
- Food & Beverage Service
- Posted
- Oct 2, 2026
About Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus is an established U.S. luxury department store renowned for a curated assortment of high-end fashion, accessories and lifestyle products and for creating exceptional customer experiences. The brand is positioned within the Saks Global portfolio and is recognized for elevated in-store activations, exclusive events and a service-led retail philosophy.
Neiman Marcus is seeking a seasonal Restaurant Host to welcome and seat guests, manage reservations and seating flow, and coordinate with the service team to deliver a seamless dining experience. The role includes guest inquiries, operational support, menu upkeep, and adherence to presentation and scheduling standards; evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required. Compensation is $18–$20 per hour, with benefits including insurance coverage, a 401(k), an employee discount, and career advancement opportunities.
Role & Responsibilities
- Welcome arriving and departing guests with professionalism, warmth, and grace, maintaining an elegant and attentive presence at the host stand.
- Guide guests to their tables and balance wait stations to optimize service flow for the front-of-house team.
- Organize daily reservations, maximize seating capacity during peak hours, and balance guest traffic to optimize restaurant pacing.
- Manage reservations for VIPs and regular clients, accommodate special requests, and respond to telephone inquiries about restaurant hours, daily specials, and private events with polished phone etiquette.
- Monitor dining room flow and server performance throughout meal periods, communicating with management to support seamless guest service.
- Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and presentation of physical menus and menu covers.
- Follow established accounting procedures for host-related transactions and use the POS system efficiently for authorized payment methods.
- Participate in daily pre-shift meetings to stay informed about daily covers, culinary specials, and floor adjustments.
- Assist with dining room setup and floor adjustments, including safely moving tables, chairs, or highchairs as needed.
- Maintain high personal hygiene and luxury presentation standards, including a clean, pressed uniform and professionally styled hair and nails.
- Follow the posted work schedule punctually and comply with restaurant procedures for schedule or shift changes.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
- Direct hands-on knowledge and experience with OpenTable or similar modern reservation software highly preferred.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills and polished telephone etiquette.
- Outstanding customer service and intuitive problem-solving skills, with the ability to interact graciously with the public in fast-paced conditions.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and collaborative, with a strong team mentality.
- Physical stamina to stand for extended periods at the host stand, bend, climb stairs, and lift and carry up to 35 pounds.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Skills
Education
High school diploma or GED preferred.
Workplace
This position is based in San Diego, California, USA.
Compensation
The base compensation for this position ranges from USD 18 to USD 20 per hour.
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; basic and supplemental life insurance; disability insurance; additional voluntary benefits, including critical illness, hospital, and accident insurance; employee discount; career advancement opportunities.
Culture
Neiman Marcus emphasizes an elevated, customer-centric retail culture where meticulous service and attention to detail define the in-store experience. The retailer promotes a collaborative environment with clear pathways for career progression across retail, distribution, digital and corporate functions.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Neiman Marcus, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Dining Room Host», «Restaurant Receptionist», «Guest Relations Host», «Hospitality Host», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.