Lead Host & Events Coordinator Companion | Los Angeles, CA Position Overview The Lead Host & Events Coordinator sits at the center of the guest experience at Companion. Companion is a neighborhood restaurant in Los Angeles built around thoughtful food, a strong wine program, eclectic music, and the warmth of being a dinner guest in your friend's living room. We're looking for someone who is naturally warm, organized, and who genuinely enjoys taking care of people. As Lead Host, you will run the door, manage the reservation book, and shape the flow of the room through timing, communication, and judgment. You'll build real relationships with guests over time and become one of the people who defines how the restaurant feels night to night. As Events Coordinator, you will handle all incoming event inquiries and guide them from first message through booking and handoff to the operations team. Growth & Other Opportunities This role can grow into broader FOH leadership, including scheduling, branding and social media, wine program, and other areas of the restaurant for the right person. Guest Experience & Hosting Greet and seat guests with warmth and clarity. Run the host stand and manage reservations, walk-ins, and the waitlist. Keep the reservation book balanced to support smooth service and pacing. Coordinate seating and flow with the operations and service teams. Build relationships with regulars and returning guests. Maintain simple, accurate guest notes and preferences. Handle guest messages, voicemail, and basic follow-ups. Respond to guest feedback and online reviews when needed. Keep the host stand organized, calm, and consistent during service. Support basic setup and reset of the dining room as needed. Special Events & Large Parties Serve as the main point of contact for all event inquiries, including: Large party reservations Full restaurant buyouts Private celebrations Brand and industry events

Responsibilities:

Respond to inquiries across email, phone, website, and reservation platforms. Communicate pricing, minimums, deposits, and policies clearly. Follow up on inquiries and convert leads into bookings. Coordinate details with the operations and kitchen teams. Prepare clear internal notes for each event. Build relationships that lead to repeat and referral business. Who We're Looking For Warm, grounded, and naturally hospitable. Strong sense of taste, presence, and social awareness. Calm, confident, and comfortable in a busy room. Able to read people and situations quickly. Highly organized and detail-oriented. Clear communicator, both written and verbal. Good judgment and ability to solve problems in real time. Comfortable managing multiple conversations and priorities. Prior restaurant, hospitality, or events experience preferred. Familiarity with reservation systems Resy, SevenRooms, OpenTable is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits Base Pay:

$28/hour plus tips

Estimated Total Compensation:

Historically approximately $40+/hour including tips, depending on volume and seasonality Paid vacation Medical coverage Growth opportunity into broader leadership roles