Host & Reservations Manager - Pony Dining Barangaroo

This is a hands-on role that sits at the intersection of guest experience, operations, and commercial performance.

This is predominantly a Monday to Friday role however, evenings and weekends may be required due to the nature of the business.

You are responsible not just for managing bookings and event enquiries, but for optimising capacity, shaping demand, and ensuring seamless service flow across all reservation channels and services.

You will be responsible for leading the host team and being present during services across the week, implementing service standards and most importantly leading from the front. Reporting directly to the Venue manager you will help shape our guests first and final impressions of Pony Dining Barangaroo.

Reservations Strategy & Revenue Optimisation

- Own and optimise the reservations strategy to maximise covers, yield, and service efficiency
- Manage table allocation, pacing, and turn times to balance guest experience with revenue
- Implement and manage booking policies including seating times, deposits, cancellations, and no-shows
- Analyse booking data, trends, and service performance to inform decision-making
- Drive utilisation across peak and off-peak periods

High-Volume Management

- Manage reservations across all services
- Coordinate Events, large bookings, group dining, and private events across spaces ensuring the Restaurant managers have all information required to execute seamlessly
- Adapt quickly to changing service demands, weather, and operational pressures

Systems & Technology

- Lead the setup, optimisation, and ongoing management of OpenTable
- Maintain accurate floor plans, table configurations, and booking rules
- Generate and interpret reports on covers, revenue, pacing, and guest behaviour for weekly reporting to senior management





Guest Experience & Communications

- Responsible for the first and last impression, hands on, leading by example
- Act as the primary escalation point for complex or VIP reservations
- Manage guest expectations with professionalism, clarity, and confidence
- Oversee all written and phone communication to ensure brand tone and consistency
- Build and maintain solid relationships with regular and high-value guests and local business partners

Events & Functions Coordination

- Oversee reservation aspects of functions, events, and large bookings
- Work closely with management and kitchen to ensure seamless execution
- Ensure accurate booking details, run sheets, and guest requirements are captured
- Lead, train, and develop hosts and reservations team members
- Set standards for phone etiquette, booking management, and guest interaction
- Monitor team performance and provide coaching and feedback
- Build a strong, service-focused reservations culture

We Are Looking For

- Proven experience in a senior reservations or front-of-house leadership role
- Strong experience managing high-volume and multi-venue reservations systems
- Advanced knowledge of OpenTable including backend configuration preferred
- Exceptional organisational and time management skills
- High attention to detail with the ability to manage complex booking scenarios
- Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills
- Experience in premium or hatted venues highly regarded

What Success Looks Like

- Fully optimised services with balanced pacing and minimal bottlenecks
- Reduction in no-shows and maximised table utilisation
- Seamless coordination between reservations and floor operations
- High guest satisfaction from first contact through to arrival
- Upholding excellence reflected in positive secret shopper score cards
- Clear reporting and data-driven improvements to booking performance

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📌 Host & Reservations Manager (New South Wales)
🏢 Pony Dining the Rocks
📍 New South Wales