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.
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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.
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Key Responsibilities
Opening & Pre-Opening Support
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Assist in setting up front office systems, procedures, and service standards
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Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of the reception team
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Participate in trial shifts, soft openings, and operational testing
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Help establish a strong team culture aligned with the Nici brand
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Front Desk Operations
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Support the Head Receptionist/Front of House Manager in daily operations
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Oversee check-in and check-out processes, ensuring efficiency and accuracy
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Manage reservations, amendments, and guest enquiries professionally
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Maintain a consistently high standard of reception presentation
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Guest Experience
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Deliver a warm, luxury-level welcome to all guests
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Create personalised and memorable guest interactions
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Handle feedback and complaints with professionalism and care
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Support VIP arrivals, repeat guests, and special occasions
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Team Support & Supervision
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Supervise reception staff during shifts and act as a senior point of contact
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Provide on-the-job coaching and guidance to team members
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Lead shifts in the absence of senior management
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Support ongoing training to maintain service excellence
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Administration & Systems
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Operate hotel PMS systems
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Ensure accurate billing, payments, and reporting procedures
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Maintain guest profiles and preferences to enhance return visits
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Assist with daily financial checks and reporting
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What We’re Looking For
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Experience in a hotel reception or senior receptionist role
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Previous involvement in an opening or relaunch is highly desirable
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Strong customer service skills with a luxury hospitality mindset
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Leadership ability and confidence supervising a team
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Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
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Flexible and adaptable, particularly during an opening phase
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What You’ll Get
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Competitive salary
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Staff discounts and benefits
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Meals on duty
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Career progression within a growing lifestyle hospitality brand
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The opportunity to be part of an exciting new hotel opening
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How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining your experience and interest in joining The Nici New Forest team.