Maitre D

OVERVIEW

Little Mountain reflects Montecito's coastal culture through a wood-fired kitchen that highlights the region's seasonal bounty. Rooted in Santa Barbara County's abundance, we collaborate with local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen to source organic and biodynamic ingredients, enhancing their natural qualities through traditional techniques. Our hospitality extends to a warm, home-like setting inspired by Spanish Colonial design, complemented by a thoughtful beverage program featuring high-quality, small-producer spirits. Little Mountain was selected for the Michelin Guide within four months of opening — a testament to the standard of excellence we hold in every aspect of the guest experience, and the team that makes it possible.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking an exceptional Maître D' to serve as the face of Little Mountain — someone who creates a welcoming, polished, and deeply personalized experience from before a guest arrives to the moment they leave, and then hopefully return again! This role calls for a rare balance of warmth and precision, overseeing guest relations, reservations, and team coordination across every service.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Greet each guest warmly and professionally, setting the tone for their entire dining experience from the moment they arrive Manage reservations and the book as a whole nightly, optimizing table assignments and pacing to balance guest satisfaction with operational efficiency and building business Build meaningful relationships with regulars and VIPs, tracking preferences to deliver consistently personalized service Lead reservations at pre-shift meetings with service teams, reviewing reservations, and guest notes Handle all special requests with seamless execution — dietary restrictions, seating preferences, private celebrations, and milestone moments Serve as the liaison between the dining room and back of house to create busy, smooth, successful services Oversee and guide the host team, providing real-time guidance and training to uphold Little Mountain's service standards Monitor the dining room throughout service — ensuring tables are reset, guests are attended to, and the team is supported Address guest concerns and complaints with professionalism and empathy, escalating to management when appropriate Support additional dining room projects as needed

WHO YOU ARE A

polished, personable professional who thrives in a guest-facing role and leads with quiet confidence Naturally warm and approachable, with a genuine passion for creating exceptional hospitality experiences Highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing competing priorities with grace under pressure An effective communicator who motivates those around them to uphold the highest standards of service Skilled at reading a room — anticipating needs before they're expressed and responding with precision Someone who understands that great hospitality is built on consistency, memory, and sincere connection

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum 1 year of experience as a Maître D' or in a similar role in fine dining or luxury hospitality Strong command of reservation platforms (i.e. SevenRooms, Resy, or OpenTable), and hospitality tech platforms Exceptional communication, conflict resolution, and organizational skills Experience in Michelin-starred, Forbes-rated, or similarly recognized dining environments strongly preferred

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Generous medical, dental, and vision coverage for all full-time team members Team dining privileges and ongoing wine and menu education Generous PTO policy Access to hospitality, wine, and service training opportunities

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This role requires standing, walking, and active floor presence for the duration of each shift. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. regularly. Involves frequent reaching, bending, and physical agility within a fast-paced dining environment.