Host Upscale jobs in Mississauga, ON

Build Something Exceptional

At Shay, we believe exceptional hospitality begins long before the first plate reaches the table. It starts with a genuine welcome, thoughtful attention to detail, and making every guest feel seen, valued, and excited to return.

As we prepare to open our new upscale Italian restaurant, we’re looking for an exceptional Lead Host to become the face of our dining room and help shape the guest experience from day one.

This is not a traditional host position.

We’re looking for an experienced hospitality professional who thrives at the front door, enjoys building genuine relationships with guests, and understands that reservations, seating strategy, and organization are essential to delivering an exceptional dining experience.

You’ll lead the host team, own the reservation book, and work alongside the restaurant’s leadership team to ensure every service runs smoothly while delivering warm, thoughtful hospitality to every guest.

Your Role

As the Lead Host, you’ll oversee the guest journey from arrival to farewell while ensuring the front door operates with warmth, professionalism, and precision.

You’ll manage reservations, seating strategy, waitlists, and guest relations while leading the host team and working closely with the General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Executive Chef, Sommelier, and front-of-house team to deliver seamless service every evening.

This is a hands-on leadership position for someone who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems, supporting their team, and creating memorable guest experiences.

What You’ll Do

• Welcome every guest with warmth, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.
• Own the reservation book, managing reservations, waitlists, walk-ins, and seating strategies to maximize both the guest experience and dining room performance.
• Optimize table assignments and dining room flow throughout service, balancing reservations, table turns, and guest expectations.
• Build meaningful relationships with regular guests, VIPs, and first-time visitors.
• Lead, coach, and develop the host team while maintaining exceptional hospitality standards.
• Work closely with managers, servers, bartenders, the kitchen, and the sommelier to ensure clear communication and seamless execution throughout service.
• Handle guest concerns confidently, professionally, and with empathy.
• Participate in daily pre-service meetings and help prepare the team for a successful service.
• Assist with reservation management, floor plans, scheduling support, private events, and other day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• Lead by example, fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and genuine hospitality.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Host or Lead Host in an upscale or fine dining restaurant.
• Proven ability to manage reservations, seating strategy, guest flow, and high-volume services with confidence.
• Experience leading, mentoring, or supporting a host team.
• Outstanding communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• A calm, confident, and solution-oriented approach in a fast-paced environment.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and creating memorable guest experiences.
• Smart Serve Certification and eligibility to work in Ontario.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using OpenTable, SevenRooms, Resy, or similar reservation platforms.
• Experience working in an upscale or fine dining Italian restaurant.
• Wine knowledge or WSET certification is considered an asset.

Who You Are

• You genuinely enjoy people.
• You remember names, recognize returning guests, and notice the little details that make someone feel welcome.
• You understand that a reservation book is more than a list of names. You know how to balance guest expectations, table availability, and the rhythm of the dining room to create the best possible experience for everyone.
• You think ahead, stay calm under pressure, and naturally take ownership when challenges arise.
• You enjoy leading by example, supporting your teammates, and creating an environment where both guests and staff feel genuinely cared for.
• Most importantly, you believe hospitality is about making people feel something—not just serving dinner.

Why Join Shay?

Joining Shay means more than starting a new job—it’s an opportunity to help build a restaurant from the ground up and make a meaningful impact from day one.

You’ll work alongside an experienced leadership team that values collaboration, continuous learning, and genuine hospitality. Your ideas will be welcomed, your contributions will matter, and you’ll help shape the culture and guest experience of a restaurant built for long-term success.

As Shay grows, high-performing team members will have opportunities to take on additional responsibilities and continue developing their careers.

Our Philosophy

At Shay, hospitality is personal.

We believe the smallest gestures often leave the biggest impression—a warm welcome, remembering a guest’s favourite table, anticipating a celebration, or helping a teammate during a busy service.

We’re building a team of professionals who care deeply about people, take pride in their craft, and believe exceptional hospitality is created through genuine relationships, attention to detail, and teamwork.

If that sounds like the kind of environment where you’ll thrive, we’d love to hear from you.

Compensation details, including the overall compensation package, will be discussed with shortlisted candidates during the interview process.

This is a full-time, in-person position requiring evening, weekend, and holiday availability.

Pay: $60,000.00-$65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Extended health care

Work Location: In person