Maître D’ - Amsterdam

Maître D’ - Cafe Americain at Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American

Step into a leadership role at Café Americain - an iconic Art Deco dining institution located in the heart of Amsterdam’s lively Leidseplein.

We’re seeking a confident, people-focused Maître D’ to take full ownership of our restaurant and terrace service. In this senior leadership position, you’ll be responsible for the overall quality of service, team performance, and guest satisfaction, while shaping a positive, high-performing culture where people love to work and guests love to return.

Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American, part of the Dalata Hotel Group, is a 4-star, 173-room hotel nestled in one of the most beautiful art nouveau buildings in the Netherlands. Home to the legendary Café Americain and stylish Bar Americain, we serve guests from around the world with a culinary experience that’s as memorable as the setting.

Objective of the Role

As Maître D’, you are the driving force behind the success of Café Americain’s front-of-house operation. You lead, inspire, and develop the service team while ensuring exceptional quality across every touchpoint of the guest journey.

You are ultimately responsible for service excellence in all phases of the restaurant and terrace operation — from staffing and training to guest satisfaction, financial performance, and brand standards. With a strong presence on the floor during peak moments, you lead by example while maintaining a strategic overview of the department.

You create loyalty - both from guests and employees - by exceeding expectations, nurturing talent, and continuously improving how we operate.

This role is ideal for an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about people, service, and quality.

Key Responsibilities

Lead & Develop the Team

• Direct, coach, and motivate service employees, assistant Maîtres, and students.
• Conduct performance reviews, provide feedback, and agree on development plans.
• Recruit, select, train, and retain top talent.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
• Ensure staff training, certifications, and compliance requirements are met.

Deliver Exceptional Guest Experiences

• Ensure an exceptional and consistent guest experience across all services and outlets.
• Maintain strong relationships with guests and handle complaints professionally.
• Monitor guest feedback and quality scores, implementing improvements where needed.
• Maintain a visible presence on the floor during peak periods.

Operational & Financial Oversight

• Oversee daily operations of Café Americain and the terrace.
• Balance staffing levels and labour costs in line with forecasts and business needs.
• Review forecasts, control costs, and drive revenue through upselling, events, and promotions.
• Oversee cash handling, POS usage, and inventory management.

Standards, Compliance, & Improvement

• Ensure compliance with health & safety, HACCP, allergen legislation, and company procedures.
• Develop, implement, and maintain SOPs for the department.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement sustainable improvements.
• Coordinate processes and collaboration across departments.

Brand & Business Development

• Act as an ambassador for Café Americain and the Clayton Hotel Amsterdam American brand.
• Implement brand initiatives and business strategies.
• Generate incremental revenue through local events, promotions, and guest engagement.
• Operate ethically and protect the hotel’s reputation at all times.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for a Maître D’ with strong leadership skills, commercial awareness, and a deep passion for hospitality. Here’s what makes a good fit:

• At least 3 years’ experience in hospitality management, including 2 years in restaurant management
• MBO Level 4 / HBO working and thinking level or equivalent
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and inspire teams
• Strong guest focus with excellent communication and decision-making skills
• Solid understanding of health & safety, food hygiene, and legal regulations
• Financial and operational insight, including staffing and cost control
• Fluency in English required, Dutch preferred (additional languages are a plus)
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays

If you bring leadership, passion for hospitality, and a drive to inspire your team, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Get From Us:

At Dalata, we believe great people deserve great rewards. Here’s what you can expect when you join our team:

A Culture That Cares

• A warm, people-first team where you’re valued and supported
• Regular staff events, recognition programmes, and a workplace that feels like home

Real Career Progression

• Access to our Dalata Academy for learning, growth, & career development
• Opportunities to grow your career across our hotels currently in Ireland, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands

Daily Perks

• Fresh meals during your shift
• Uniform provided
• 50% off food & drinks in all Dalata hotels
• €60 employee room rate across all Dalata-owned properties
• 30% Friends & Family discount on stays

Extra Benefits

• One extra annual leave day for every year you work (up to 5 additional days)
• Travel allowance for commutes over 10km
• Free overnight stay in the hotel after your probation period
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme

A Culture You Can Grow In:

At Dalata Hotel Group, we don’t just run hotels — we build careers and communities. We bring the heart of hospitality to everything we do: supporting our teams, welcoming our guests, and growing together across countries. As Ireland's largest hotel operator, we see our growth and expansion plans as a way of spreading our unique way of caring for our guests further around the world, bringing better experiences to more people. Currently the Dalata difference can be felt at each of our hotels in Ireland, the UK, Germany & the Netherlands, and we’ll keep expanding this further, focusing on key UK cities, Dublin and Continental Europe.

You’ll be joining a workplace that values Our People, Our Fairness, Our Service and Our Individuality. Whether you’re on your first day or your fifth year, your ideas, voice, and growth matter here. Our company is a place where you can do great things – individually and as a team. Through our award-winning training programmes and a culture of recognition, we’ll help you reach the next level — and enjoy the journey along the way.

Dalata is a proudly inclusive employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need any accommodations during the application process, just let us know.

Ready to take your next step? Apply now and show us what you bring to the table!