Head Sommelier

The Dining Room; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class salary

28 days holiday allowance

Family meal on shift

Industry-leading Learning & Dev

Pension scheme – including employer

Annual staff award ceremony and party

More benefits to be set up as we open

Job summary

The Pembroke Club seeks a Head Sommelier to lead all wine experiences for its discerning members across multiple outlets in London. You will manage service on the floor, teach and mentor staff, and curate a dynamic wine program from cellar to table.

With expert product knowledge and calm leadership under pressure, you will partner with the Beverage Director and Club Managers to deliver exceptional member experiences and drive wine sales in a high-volume, luxury hospitality setting.

Qualifications

• Experience across multiple outlets at a very high standard.
• Luxury wine roles within large-scale, high-end venues.
• Up-to-date wine knowledge relevant to central London hospitality.
• Strong stock management and inventory control experience.
• Unsurpassed service skills with a focus on member experience.
• Experience recruiting and developing a large wine team.
• Impeccable personal appearance and environment standards.
• CS/DWSET related qualifications are highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Maintain constant presence on the floor, upholding top service standards.
• Collaborate with Beverage Director on an evolving wine list.
• Lead opening strategy for the wine program; plan pre-opening and ongoing ops.
• Conduct monthly stock audits; manage cellar inventory and rotation.
• Curate wine offerings for private events; execute with precision.
• Motivate wine and service teams; mentor staff and drive training.
• Support colleagues and maintain exceptional member interactions.

Skills

Multi-outlet leadership

Luxury hospitality

Wine inventory management

Staff training & development

Member experience focus

Recruiting & team building

London club experience

Education

Court of Master Sommeliers, DipWSET or similar

Job description

Steeped in history and situated in the heart of Belgravia, The Pembroke stands apart as a unique club for Londoners. From the spirit of our members to the splendour of our events, we are a home for eclectic and excellent living. A place to eat, drink, dance and meet, The Pembroke opens its doors to those who wish to fill their world with the finest experiences, from cocktails to culture, billiards to business.

With striking views across Buckingham Palace Gardens and Hyde Park, The Dining Room is the club’s flagship restaurant, stretching three exquisitely finished rooms and serving a selection of the finest Mediterranean fare from breakfast to dinner.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Head Sommelier for The Pembroke Club will be the responsible, operational and passionate force behind all members’ wine experiences at the club.

They will have a thirst for exceptional service, despite challenging environments, with high a volume of fine wines served across multiple, concurrent outlets at all times of the day.

On the floor they will lead the charge and take full ownership of service, utilising their expert product knowledge. Guest experience is their highest priority, with a fervour to develop and nurture their team.

In the cellars they will have meticulous organisational skills, handling thousands of bottles with exceptional care and attention. They will be passionate about the wine they offer, from cellar to table.

They will work closely alongside the Beverage Director, Club Manager and Head Chefs, while inspiring confidence in those under their wing. They set the highest example in service and professional conduct, migrating their fascination with wines and hospitality to those keen to be inspired.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• A constant, visible and active attendance on the floor, confronting high pressure environments with leadership and assertion. Cement and uphold the highest service standards for both high and low budget members. Exceed the lofty expectations of the seasoned wine-devotees whilst providing serendipitous adventure for the amateurs.
• Work in partnership with the Beverage Director on an evolving, pliable and eye-catching wine list for all members’ tastes, providing continuous constructive feedback and requests from members.
• Lead the opening strategy for the wine program at The Pembroke, creating solutions for both pre-opening and ongoing operational planning. Anticipating positive member and staff experience and fostering and monitoring staff morale.
• Perform monthly stock audits and apply experience and expertise to minimize waste and discrepancies. Ensure strict cellar management by overseeing ongoing inventory control, stock rotation, vintage management, breakage prevention, and accurate stock reporting.
• Curate, tailor and manage all wine offerings for members’ private parties and pre-bookings, organising and executing events with calm effortlessness, meticulous attention to detail and determination to exceed expectations.
• Inspire and motivate the wine and service teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, aspiration and ownership. Support career growth and succession planning within the wine department. Establish and maintain service standards to ensure wine service is seamless, creating and delivering ongoing training sessions that increase confidence and control.
• Regardless of their seniority, they are always at their happiest when at the member’s table. Whether receiving deliveries, aiding the restaurant in food service or reaching out to support a colleague.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working across multiple outlets at the same time at an exceptionally high standard. A natural propensity to remain calm and in control in high volume environments. Ensuring the level of service and expertise are never diluted by capacity.
• Experience and understanding of luxury wine roles within a large scale, high-end hospitality venue. Ideally a London members’ club, hotel or high-volume fine dining environment.
• Has passionate, up-to-date wine knowledge with a strong understanding of relevance in high end, central London hospitality.
• Strong experience managing stock, achieving targets and a meticulous passion for inventory control in a large scale.
• Unsurpassable service skills with a passion for member experience. A warm, professional and meticulous attention to every detail of the full member experience.
• Experience with recruiting, managing and developing a large team. The ability to work within a large team of professionals in all departments, creating a calm and approachable environment for their team no matter the urgency.
• Has unmatched standards of personal appearance and of the appearance of their environment.
• Court of Master Sommeliers, DipWSET or similar, long-term experience considered.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Best-in-class salary
• 28 days holiday allowance
• Family meal on shift
• Industry-leading Learning & Development opportunities
• Pension scheme – including employer contributions.
• Annual staff award ceremony and party
• More benefits to be set up as we open

Compensation: Competitive salary