Head Wine Ambassador - Henley On Thames

Hotel du Vin; Oxford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff Room Rates

Dining discounts

Cycle to work

Healthcare plans

Job summary

Malmaison & Hotel Du Vin is seeking a Head Wine Ambassador to fuse technical wine knowledge with engaging storytelling across our Bistro, bar, and private dining spaces. You will lead a SOFT leadership of a front-of-house team, grow beverage revenue, and mentor staff to WSET levels while championing sustainability and luxury service.

The role requires expertise in wine pairing, stock control, and delivering high-end guest experiences, with a focus on brand-aligned experiences and collaborative

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in premium, busy F&B environments such as boutique hotels or upscale restaurants.
• Stock control, inventory auditing, cellar management, and work with prestige wine lists.
• WSET Level 3 certification (or Level 2 with commitment to Level 3).
• Strong commercial acumen with upselling and GP margin understanding.
• Advanced storytelling and presentation skills; ability to teach FOH staff.

Responsibilities

• Direct wine service across the Bistro, bar and private dining during peak hours.
• Recommend wine pairings to drive upsells and premium bookings.
• Design and lead wine experiences, tastings, and branded events.
• Onboard and mentor FOH staff to achieve certifications and high standards.
• Oversee cellar rotation, inventory PARs, and use Prestige Wine List effectively.
• Maintain immaculate wine lists and displays aligned with luxury branding.
• Collaborate with partners like Bibendum and coordinate wine events.
• Support sustainability goals and local activations; manage supplier relationships.

Skills

Wine knowledge

Leadership

Storytelling

Upselling

Inventory management

Supplier liaison

Passion for wine

Education

WSET Level 3 or higher

Job description

By merging technical wine knowledge with an engaging, storytelling-driven approach, the Head Wine Ambassador ensures wine is placed at the absolute center of the guest journey. This role is responsible for driving beverage revenue, cultivating on-property wine expertise, championing sustainability and ESG targets, and leading a passionate, certified front-of-house (FOH) team. What will you be doing as Head Wine Ambassador?

• Direct wine service during peak hours in the Bistro, bar, and private dining rooms, delivering engaging, approachable, and story-driven guest interactions.
• Recommend expert food-and-wine pairings to drive consistent upsells, premium wine flight bookings, and beverage upgrades.
• Own the execution and growth of signature brand experiences, hosting structured packages like Taste du Vin alongside spontaneous, informal guest tastings.
• Onboard front-of-house staff with basic training and mentor team members toward achieving their WSET Level 2 certifications.
• Design and lead daily "Wine of the Day" briefings and host monthly/quarterly deep-dive tasting sessions to keep staff knowledge sharp.
• Oversee cellar rotation, manage inventory PAR levels to minimize waste, and strategically move bin-end wines using the Prestige Wine List.
• Ensure all wine lists, promotional displays, advertising, and merchandising are immaculate and aligned with luxury brand guidelines.
• Collaborate with partners like Bibendum to align training, co-host events, and successfully navigate quarterly mystery guest audits
• Champion winemakers with low-carbon footprints to support our Net Zero targets, and coordinate local activations like English Wine Week.
• Target measurable growth including a +10% increase in Bistro average beverage spend, a 95%+ mystery guest audit score, and improved online review sentiment.
  Demonstrable experience in a premium, busy F&B environment, boutique hotel, or upscale restaurant environment.
• Track record of delivering structured, engaging team training and mentoring FOH staff.
• Proven experience in stock control, inventory auditing, cellar management, and working with prestige lists.
• Experience working in collaboration with external suppliers/merchants (e.g., Bibendum) is beneficial.
• WSET Level 3 certification (or WSET Level 2 with a commitment to achieving Level 3 within 6 months).
• Exceptional commercial acumen, with a strong understanding of upselling techniques, gross profit (GP) margins, and inventory optimisation.
• Advanced storytelling and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex wine tasting notes simply.
• Strong organisation skills for managing training plans, audit reports, and supplier meetings.
• Charismatic, warm, and highly approachable ("Passionate, Not Pretentious").
• Self-motivated with an infectious passion for wine, hospitality, and food-matching trends.
• Physically able to handle cellar logistics, lifting, and the correct storage/organization of heavy stock.
• Highly adaptable and willing to work flexible shifts, including peak weekends, holidays, and evening dinner services.

Benefits

• Heavily discounted Staff Room Rates at Malmaison & Hotel du Vin with rooms available from 65 per night.
• Discounted Friends and Family Room Rate with 50% off best available rate.
• 35% off your bill when you dine in our Brasseries and Bistros.
• Fully funded Apprenticeship programmes that support you in developing your career.
• High Street Discounts on a range of high street shops, experiences, holidays and much much more.
• Cycle to work scheme - save up to 40% on a wide range of bikes.
• Healthcare Cash Plans - dental, optical, medical and more available from 5 per month.
• Referral schemes that pay up to 1500 (just for getting your mates jobs!).
• A decent uniform that doesn't make you look like an extra from a 70s TV sitcom.
• We have a Wellness & National Campaign Days Calendar which promotes and encourages activities like - Pay Day Lunches/Treats, National Popcorn Day, Mental Health Awareness week and more.
• We work with Stream giving instant access to your pay as it's earnt.
• Stream is a tool for everyday life that lets you get paid your way by letting you track your wages in real time, stream up to 50% of the money you're already earned, learn easy tips to manage your money better and save direct from your salary.
• We also offer complimentary stays on your 1st, 3rd and 5th anniversary with Dinner, Bed & Breakfast.
• We are a proud sponsor of The Brain Charity, helping people with all forms of neurological conditions to lead longer, healthier, happier lives.
• Employee Assistance Programme - free, confidential advice available 24/7 to you and your family.
• Our Sustainability Goals: 100% of our electricity is generated using renewable energy with most of it coming from Wind Farms around the UK
• We recycle a minimum of 70% of the waste from our hotels. This target is achieved by everyone I the hotel focusing on the waste we produce and is championed by our Sustainability Council who work on project year round We have moved to a chemical free cleaning system in our bedrooms and public areas and an enzyme based eco-friendly system for our kitchens.
• Volunteer to work for sustainable charities 2 days per year on full pay instead of your normal workplace.

Malmaison & Hotel Du Vin are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.