Head Waiter / Shift Lead / Shift Supervisor – Brunch Café Lisboa

At Nina Brunch Cafe, we believe great brunch is more than food — it’s about warmth, connection, and hospitality that leaves a mark. Located by the river in Parque das Nações, we serve specialty coffee and vibrant, nutritious dishes in a cozy, inclusive atmosphere.

We’re building a space where team members are proud to work, where guests feel at home, and where hospitality standards are redefined with care, creativity, and intention.

The Role

We're looking for a Head Waiter / Shift Lead to play an active role in shaping and elevating the guest experience at Nina. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about people, thrives in fast-paced environments, and is eager to grow into a leadership position.

You’ll be responsible for leading floor service during your shifts, supporting the team, and helping implement high standards in hospitality. From guest greetings to service flow to training support, you’ll ensure that everything runs smoothly, joyfully, and professionally.

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the growth of Nina’s service culture, and to help design and implement hospitality standards, processes, and practices that elevate both the guest experience and team performance. We’re also looking for someone who can help identify or support training initiatives for the entire team as we grow.

We offer in-house training, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to take part in a growing and purpose-driven project.

Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Floor Leadership

• Lead floor service during active shifts, ensuring guests are warmly welcomed, guided, and cared for throughout their visit

• Set an example in hospitality standards and service behavior

• Solve guest issues with empathy and professionalism

• Proactively improve service flow and anticipate guest needs

Team Coordination & Training

• Act as the go-to person during service — coordinating table distribution, support roles, and team communication

• Support onboarding of new staff and help implement ongoing training sessions

• Encourage best practices and support consistent floor procedures (greeting, seating, order-taking, check-ins, etc.)

• Be involved in identifying and implementing team training tools to elevate service

Collaboration & Contribution

• Work closely with the manager and founder to ensure smooth shift handovers and share operational feedback

• Contribute to team briefings, product knowledge, and service improvement ideas

• Bring creative suggestions that enhance the guest journey, team culture, or service delivery

• Participate in building a team culture rooted in warmth, respect, and growth

What We’re Looking For

Must-Haves

• Previous experience in hospitality, preferably in brunch cafes, restaurants, or boutique hotels

• Natural communicator with a warm, engaging presence

• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities during busy shifts

• Ability to stay calm, focused, and effective in peak traffic moments — coordinating the team and maintaining great service under pressure

• A proactive, hands-on approach to floor management

• Passion for hospitality and for building meaningful guest moments

• Fluency in both Portuguese and English

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience training or mentoring team members

• Familiarity with POS systems and guest feedback tools

• Barista or specialty coffee experience

• Ambition to grow into a higher leadership role as the business evolves

Why Join Nina

• A chance to shape something meaningful from the inside out

• A supportive team environment where your voice and impact matter

• In-house training and support for professional growth

• Opportunities to step into leadership as we expand

• A values-driven workplace that prioritizes people, purpose, and joy