About The Nici – New Forest
The Nici New Forest is an exciting expansion of the award-winning Nici brand, bringing its signature blend of luxury, lifestyle, and design‑led hospitality from the Cornish coast into the heart of the New Forest.
Set within a stunning countryside location, the hotel is undergoing a major transformation into a premium destination featuring beautifully designed rooms and suites, a state‑of‑the‑art spa and wellness offering, destination dining, and immersive guest experiences. The property is designed to combine laid‑back luxury with exceptional service, creating a retreat that appeals to both leisure travellers and high‑end clientele.
As part of a significant opening and relaunch phase, this is a unique opportunity to join the team at a pivotal moment. You’ll play a key role in shaping the guest journey, setting service standards, and helping establish the hotel’s reputation as one of the New Forest’s most sought‑after destinations.
The Role
We’re looking for a confident and service‑driven Assistant Head Receptionist to support the Front Office leadership team during this exciting opening period. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll help embed processes, train team members, and ensure a smooth and polished front desk operation from day one.
Key Responsibilities
Opening & Pre‑Opening Support
- Assist in setting up front office systems, procedures, and service standards
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of the reception team
- Participate in trial shifts, soft openings, and operational testing
- Help establish a strong team culture aligned with the Nici brand
Front Desk Operations
- Support the Head Receptionist/Front of House Manager in daily operations
- Oversee check‑in and check‑out processes, ensuring efficiency and accuracy
- Manage reservations, amendments, and guest enquiries professionally
- Maintain a consistently high standard of reception presentation
Guest Experience
- Deliver a warm, luxury‑level welcome to all guests
- Create personalised and memorable guest interactions
- Handle feedback and complaints with professionalism and care
- Support VIP arrivals, repeat guests, and special occasions
Team Support & Supervision
- Supervise reception staff during shifts and act as a senior point of contact
- Provide on‑the‑job coaching and guidance to team members
- Lead shifts in the absence of senior management
- Support ongoing training to maintain service excellence
Administration & Systems
- Operate hotel PMS systems
- Ensure accurate billing, payments, and reporting procedures
- Maintain guest profiles and preferences to enhance return visits
- Assist with daily financial checks and reporting
What We’re Looking For
- Experience in a hotel reception or senior receptionist role
- Previous involvement in an opening or relaunch is highly desirable
- Strong customer service skills with a luxury hospitality mindset
- Leadership ability and confidence supervising a team
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable, particularly during an opening phase
What You’ll Get
- Competitive salary
- Staff discounts and benefits
- Meals on duty
- Career progression within a growing lifestyle hospitality brand
- The opportunity to be part of an exciting new hotel opening
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