Wine Director

Brown's Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hotel discounts

F&B discounts

Meals on duty

Pension scheme

Season Ticket Loan / Cycle to Work

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Brown's Hotel in London seeks a Head Sommelier/Wine Director to lead a world-class wine program and drive premium wine strategy across all dining venues. You will manage procurement, inventory and wine revenue while mentoring the Sommelier team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The role requires deep knowledge of global wine regions, strong commercial acumen, and a passion for curating exceptional wine lists within a luxury hotel environment.

Qualifications

• Experience leading wine programs in luxury hotels or high-end restaurants.
• Strong knowledge of global wine regions, producers and vintages.
• Proven ability to manage wine revenue, margins and stock levels.
• Emotionally intelligent with team-building and mentoring skills.
• Results-driven with a record of driving wine sales and revenue.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a world-class wine program for Brown's, curating an exceptional and diverse wine offering.
• Oversee the premium wine strategy, enhancing guest experiences across all dining venues.
• Manage wine procurement and inventory, optimizing stock levels and profitability.
• Lead and mentor the Sommelier team, ensuring service excellence and development.
• Promote a strong wine culture across Food & Beverage through training and learning.
• Enhance guest experiences with expert wine service, pairings and events.
• Strengthen Brown’s reputation as a leading destination for wine lovers.
• Collaborate with the Director of Food & Beverage and Management to achieve business goals.

Skills

Wine program leadership

Wine strategy

Wine procurement & inventory

Team leadership

Revenue & margins focus

Service excellence

Communication with senior management

Job description

Our Hotel

Brown's Hotel, part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group, is London's first hotel, opening in 1832 on Albemarle Street. With a rich history, it has become a prestigious landmark, welcoming distinguished guests. Located in the heart of Mayfair, it offers easy access to Bond Street’s luxury boutiques, Dover Street Market, The Royal Academy of Arts, and independent galleries. Brown's embodies Rocco Forte Hotels' philosophy of blending local character with world-class hospitality.

Rocco Forte Hotels are a collection of iconic hotels that respects the individuality of location and its team members, encouraging them to be their natural selves while providing a local, authentic experience to our guests.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a world‑class wine program for Brown's, curating an exceptional and diverse wine offering.
• Oversee the premium wine strategy, enhancing the guest experience across all dining venues.
• Manage wine procurement and inventory, optimizing stock levels and driving revenue and profitability.
• Lead and mentor the Sommelier team, ensuring excellence in service, knowledge, and development.
• Promote a strong wine culture across all Food & Beverage departments through training and continuous learning.
• Enhance guest experiences with expert wine service, pairings, and engaging wine events.
• Strengthen Brown’s reputation as a leading destination for wine lovers.
• Work closely with the Director of Food & Beverage & Management Team to achieve commercial and guest experience goals.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience as a Head Sommelier or Wine Director within a luxury hotel or high‑end restaurant environment.
• Deep knowledge of global wine regions, producers and vintages, with a passion for curating exceptional wine lists.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience managing wine revenue, margins and inventory.
• Emotional intelligence and strong team‑building skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a team of Sommeliers.
• A results‑driven mindset, with experience achieving revenue targets and driving wine sales.
• High personal and professional standards, with a commitment to excellence in service.
• Excellent communication skills with colleagues, guests and senior management.
• Thorough practical knowledge of luxury service standards and wine service protocols.
• Confidence to lead, motivate and mentor the team, creating a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Discounted rates across our collection of iconic hotels – £25/€30 per night.
• 50% discount on Food and Beverage, 25% discount on Spa Treatments and 20% discount on Health Spa products.
• Extensive learning and development opportunities.
• Meals on duty.
• Social activities and events.
• Recognition programmes & annual awards.
• Pension scheme.
• Season Ticket Loan / Cycle to Work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Ready to take your next step in your career? Apply now to become a valued part of Rocco Forte Hotels, an inspirational place to work, known for its commitment to excellence and a sense of familiar family culture everywhere, combined with the passion, commitment and desire from team members to delight guests and serve one another.