Head Sommelier | Maison Bâtard

The Lucas Collective; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Job summary

Maison Bâtard in Melbourne, led by The Lucas Collective, seeks an experienced Head Sommelier to own and elevate the wine program. You will lead a high-performing team, oversee cellar operations, and shape guest wine experiences across one of Melbourne’s celebrated venues.

You’ll bring a deep wine knowledge of Old and New World styles, strong leadership, and a passion for hospitality. This full-time role requires weekend and shift availability and offers competitive pay and staff benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience as Head Sommelier or Assistant Head Sommelier.
• Extensive knowledge of Old World and New World wines.
• Passion for the wine industry with a commitment to learning.
• Strong hospitality management and operations understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing wine team.
• Own and evolve the wine program for Maison Bâtard.
• Oversee cellar management, stock control and wine operations.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences with wine-focused service.
• Build and maintain supplier relationships and wine purchases.

Skills

Head Sommelier experience

Wine knowledge

Hospitality management

Team leadership

Stock control

Inventory systems

Wine trends

Guest service excellence

Supplier relationships

Organisational skills

Time management

Communication skills

WSET certification

Education

WSET Certification

Tools

Inventory systems

Cellar management

Job description

• Headed by Loic Avril & Yuki Hirose MS.


• Full-time opportunity


• Competitive pay, exclusive labels, staff benefits

About Maison Bâtard

Maison Bâtard is a celebration of modern French culture which has been imagined uniquely for Melbourne in a nod to the city’s golden era of hospitality.

Careful and meticulous restoration has transformed the landmark heritage site at 23 Bourke Street into a four-level haven of immersive, French-accented dining and celebratory experiences; including a showpiece restaurant spanning the lower two floors, a late-night supper club in the basement and an elegant rooftop terrace.

About Lucas Collective

Home to some of Australia's most beloved and acclaimed restaurants, Lucas Collective's portfolio includes Chin Chin, Kisumé, Hawker Hall, Baby Pizza, Yakimono, Society, Grill Americano, Tombo Den and Maison Bâtard. Our venues have earned some of Australia's highest hospitality accolades, including Maison Bâtard being named Australia's Best New Restaurant in 2025, alongside international recognition for excellence in food, wine and hospitality.

About The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Sommelier to lead the team at Maison Bâtard.This is an exciting opportunity for a driven wine professional to take ownership of an wine program, lead and develop a high-performing team, and contribute to the continued evolution of one of Melbourne's most celebrated dining destinations.

You will bring an extensive knowledge and appreciation of wine, exceptional service standards and a genuine passion for creating memorable guest experiences. Combining strong leadership with hands‑on involvement in service, cellar management and wine operations, you will play an integral role in shaping the venue's wine culture.

The Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated experience as a Head Sommelier or Assistant Head Sommelier.


• Extensive knowledge of both Old World and New World wines.


• A genuine passion for the wine industry and commitment to continued learning.


• Strong understanding of hospitality management and operational practices.


• Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire high-performing teams.


• Exceptional service standards and a genuine guest-first approach.


• Experience with stock control, cellar management and inventory systems.


• A strong awareness of current wine trends and industry developments.


• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.


• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers, colleagues and guests.


• Excellent organisational, time management and communication skills.


• Full-time availability, including weekends, public holidays, and opening and closing shifts.


• WSET certification or equivalent wine qualifications highly regarded.

Why Join Lucas Collective

• Competitive salary, tips & an annual performance-based bonus.


• Opportunity to collaborate on developing exclusive wine and beverage offerings across the group.


• Mentorship and development opportunities with Master Sommeliers.


• Involvement in wine buying, curation and cellar development.


• Opportunity to design and host bespoke wine dinners and exclusive events.


• Financial support for further wine studies and professional qualifications.


• Access to industry-leading training, development and specialist masterclasses.


• Lucas Education, including specialist wine and sake programs.


• Genuine career progression across our growing collection of award‑winning venues.


• Dining discounts across our venues.


• A supportive, ambitious and collaborative team environment.

Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your career or build a long-term future in hospitality, Lucas Collective gives you the opportunity to work alongside some of the best talent in the industry, across some of Australia’s most celebrated venues.