Assistant Head Sommelier

Ennismore International Management Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Biannual company socials

Exclusive staff rates and F&B across E

Birthday day off

Food during shift

Pension, health cash plan & life cover

28 days holiday incl bank holidays

Recommend-a-friend bonus

Job summary

Maison Estelle, a private members’ club in a Grade I-listed Mayfair townhouse, is seeking an experienced Sommelier to lead the wine program and deliver a hosted, discreet experience for our members.

You will manage day-to-day wine operations, provide direction to the Sommelier team during service, curate the wine list, advise members on pairings, maintain cellar stock, and ensure service excellence, safety standards and brand standards at all times.

Qualifications

• WSET Level 3 or Diploma.
• At least 2 years proven experience in a Sommelier role within luxury hospitality.
• Excellent time-management and prioritisation during busy periods.
• Obsessive about wine.
• Inspiring leader able to run the Wine department.
• Balance between methodical approach and flexibility for deadlines.
• Excellent communication with colleagues, management and front of house.
• Genuine passion for hospitality and hosting.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations within the wine areas, delivering an exceptional hosted experience for members.
• Provide direction to the Sommelier team during service.
• Ensure the restaurant is set up and closed accurately; mise en place prepared on time.
• Keep wine areas, FF&E, silver, glass, porcelain clean and in good order.
• Proactively manage member complaints and follow up to ensure satisfaction.
• Help achieve budgeted wine costs, sales, stock, labour costs and profitability.
• Deliver department control procedures ensuring safe delivery of wine products in line with UK food safety and health & safety legislation.
• Be aware of members and tailor service accordingly.
• Ensure till systems and payments align with SOPs.
• Recommend food and wine pairings to members and advise on wines based on tastes.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the wine list to inform members about varieties and prices.
• Ensure wines are served at the right temperature and proper glassware.
• Store open bottles properly to maintain taste and quality.
• Manage wine cellar and stock levels.
• Train junior colleagues on available wines and brand knowledge.

Skills

Time-management

Wine obsession

Leadership

Process-driven

Communication

Hospitality focus

Customer service

Wine knowledge

Education

WSET Level 3 or Diploma

Job description

Who are we?

Maison Estelle is a private members’ club set in a Grade I-listed Georgian townhouse on Grafton Street, Mayfair. A ‘hosted home’, bringing people together that have plenty to say and nothing to prove. A new school club (no rules), with old school values of personalised service and discretion.

What’s in it for you?

AtEstelle, we prioritise your well-being and growth, offering a range of perks to enrich your experience. Enjoy exclusive staff rates and biannual socials. Nurture your well-being with stocked colleague spaces and staff food. Engage in forums shaping The Estelle Way. Join us for a fulfilling journey where you arevalued,supported, andcelebrated.

Here at Estelle, we want to create a unified culture and sense of belonging across both Estelle Manor and Maison Estelle. We have a range of perks and benefits at your fingertips:

• Biannual company socials plus smaller social and sports groups.
• Exclusive staff rates and F&B discounts across Ennismore brand.
• Birthday day off
• Goes without saying, but we will feed you during your shift.
• Added protection of our pension, health cash plan and life assurance schemes.
• 28 days holiday, inclusive of bank holidays, which increases with length of service.
• Recommend-a-friend bonus scheme.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The key responsibilities for this role will include but are not limited to:

• Managing the day-to-day operations and activities within the wine areas ensuring the team deliver an exceptional hosted experience for our members.
• Providing direction to the Sommelier team during service.
• Making sure the restaurant is set up and closed accurately and on time; cleaned, restocked and all mise en place is prepared and ready on time.
• Ensuring the relevant wine related areas, FF&E, silver, glass, porcelain etc. is clean and in good working order.
• Proactively managing any member complaints ensuring we follow up so that our members and their guests leave happy with a positive lasting impression.
• Helping to achieve budgeted wine costs, sales, stock, labour costs and profitability.
• Delivering all department control procedures to ensure the safe delivery of all wine related products are in line with UK food safety and health and safety legislation.
• Being aware of our members who are drinking and / dining with us and ensure the bar team personally tailor their service appropriately.
• Ensuring use of till systems and payment processes are in line with SOP’s and standards.
• Recommending food and wine pairings to our members based on their preferences
• Advising members on wines based on their personal tastes
• Having an in-depth knowledge of our wine list to be able to inform members about different varieties of wines and prices.
• Ensuring wines are served at the right temperature and within the proper glassware in line with the members club standards.
• Storing open bottles properly to maintain the best taste and quality.
• Managing wine cellar and ensure it is stocked as requested.
• Training junior colleagues and other F&B colleagues on available wines and also make sure that they have good knowledge of the wine list.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• WSET Level 3 or Diploma
• At least 2 years proven experience in a Sommelier role within a luxury / lifestyle hospitality business.
• Excellent time-management skills; comfortable prioritising what is important during busy periods.
• Obsessive about wine
• You are an inspiring leader who relishes taking responsibility for running the Wine department.
• A balance between a methodical and process-driven approach and flexibility and creativity when it comes to meeting deadlines and finding solutions.
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable talking to colleagues, senior management, and coming front of house to talk to members.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and hosting.