Job Title: Head Hostess

Company: Mama Shelter

Location: MAMA SHELTER CAPE TOWN, Cape Town, South Africa

Job Type: Permanent

Company Description

MAMA?

Founded in 2008 by Serge Trigano and his sons Jérémie and Benjamin (co-founders of Club Med), Mama Shelter is a creator of living spaces and a daily director!

These are atypical places, where everyone feels at home, places born of a blend of influences, freedoms, sensations and emotions. Each Mama tells the story of the city in which it is located, and all influences blend together. We offer our guests a joyful atmosphere and exceptional service at an affordable price.

More than just rooms and restaurants, Mama Shelter is a dynamic, a vibe: they are true urban refuges, not only aesthetically pleasing and modern but also popular, welcoming and sexy.

Whatever your role, we're all here to make the customer experience as unforgettable as possible.

Our mission: to bring little moments of happiness to people.

Our growth has enabled us to offer our teams great career paths through internal development and international mobility, and it's not a question of diplomas or years of experience.

Mama Shelter is part of Ennismore, a creative hotel group rooted in cultures and destinations, with a global portfolio of brands. Ennismore is a joint venture with Accor, founded in 2021.

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Our commitment to diversity and inclusion:

Mama is an inclusive company, and our ambition is to recruit and promote diverse talent.


Job Description

🌟 THE MISSION

You are the first smile, the first energy, and the first impression of Mama 🍸✨🔥

As Head Hostess, you set the tone for every guest journey—welcoming, guiding, and creating that instant “this is the place to be” feeling from the moment the doors open.

You don’t just seat guests—you orchestrate the flow of the restaurant, balance the energy of the floor, and make every arrival feel intentional, smooth, and special 💫

💫 HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

💖 Guest Welcome Experience Leader

Deliver a warm, confident, and memorable welcome to every guest
Create a first impression that reflects Mama’s bold, social personality
Ensure every guest feels seen, valued, and instantly at home
⚡ Floor Flow & Seating Coordinator

Manage reservations, walk-ins, and table allocations with precision and awareness
Control guest flow to ensure smooth pacing across all service periods
Work closely with the Restaurant Manager to maximise covers and optimise seating strategy
📊 Service Rhythm Supporter

Support the smooth running of service by managing wait times and table turnover
Communicate effectively with FOH and management teams to maintain flow
Help balance guest experience with operational efficiency
👥 Front-of-House Leader

Lead and guide the hostess team with energy, clarity, and consistency
Ensure uniform standards, grooming, and service etiquette are always on point
Support training, onboarding, and daily briefings for the team
🤝 Collaboration Partner

Work closely with Restaurant Managers, Bar, and Service teams
Ensure smooth communication between reception and floor operations
Support special requests, VIP guests, and group arrivals
🛎️ Standards & Brand Guardian

Uphold Mama’s arrival experience standards across every touchpoint
Ensure the host stand and reception area are always organised and presentable
Maintain consistency in guest communication and service tone
🎉 Atmosphere & Energy Driver

Set the emotional tone of the venue through energy, presence, and personality
Create excitement and anticipation as guests arrive
Be the face of Mama’s vibe before guests even sit down 🍸🔥
✨ WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A seamless, well-managed flow of guests throughout service
Strong first impressions that convert into repeat visits and loyalty
A confident, energised hostess team delivering consistent welcome experiences
Smooth coordination between arrival, seating, and service teams

Qualifications

🌟 MADE FOR YOU… ONLY IF ✨

You have strong hospitality experience in guest-facing or reception roles 🍽️🏨
You come from lifestyle, luxury, or high-energy dining environments ✨
You are confident, polished, and naturally warm in guest interaction 💖
You are highly organised and calm when managing busy, fast-paced service ⚡
You are a strong communicator who can coordinate multiple moving parts 💬🤝
You are comfortable leading a small team and setting standards 👥💫
You thrive in energetic, social environments and love being the face of the venue 🍸🔥
You have strong attention to detail and pride in presentation 🛎️
You bring personality, charm, and confidence to every shift 🎶💫
🎯 YOUR LITTLE EXTRAS

Pre-opening experience? Big plus 🏗️✨
Lifestyle or high-volume restaurant experience? Even better 🌍
You know how to turn arrivals into anticipation and energy into loyalty 💫🔥
You bring grace, structure, and Mama personality every day 🎶💖

Additional Information

Next, we're sure you know the tune 🎶:

First melody: “At Mama, no AI! We review your application in person and take the time to understand your background. 🎧
First verse: We organise an initial telephone interview with our People & Culture Team to see if your application fits in with our rhythm. 🤳
Chorus: Once you've passed the phone interview, we'll arrange a remote meeting 💻 or a meeting at Mama 🤝 to meet the Gang!
Last verse: Naturally, you'll receive a response from us within two to three weeks at the latest, whether it's a ✔️ or a ✖️.

Posted: 09/06/2026