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Executive Wine Director

55 Seventy  ·  Houston, TX

Full-Time  ·  Exempt  ·  Food & Beverage Leadership

THE ROLE

The Executive Wine Director is the senior wine leadership within the 55 Seventy organizational structure and the driving force behind every dimension of the club's wine programming. Reporting to the Operating Partner / COO, this individual leads a team of 12-15 sommeliers and coordinates all aspects of wine programming within the club’s daily operations — from daily dining room service to member cellar procurement, off-premise sales, and wine-centric club programming. The Executive Wine Director is equally at home on the floor with members, behind a desk shaping the strategy and direction of the wine program, and in conversation with producers, importers, and collectors to deepen relationships and continue to establish the 55 Seventy brand.

This role requires a rare blend of technical mastery, business acumen, programming vision, and the interpersonal skills, warmth, and humility needed to build genuine, enduring Member relationships.

POSITION DETAILS

Compensation:  $130,000–$175,000 base salary + performance-based bonus

Benefits:  Medical, dental, 401(k) with match, PTO, STO, and travel stipend

Employment Type:  Full-time, Exempt

Schedule:  Variable; includes evenings and weekends as needed for special events or business demands

Reports To:  Operating Partner / COO

Direct Reports:  Sommelier team of 12-15

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Wine Service — Daily Operations

•       Oversee and participate in all aspects of daily in-club wine service, ensuring consistency, precision, and genuine hospitality at every table

•       Set service standards for the sommelier team, including tableside presentation, decanting, glassware selection, and member communication

•       Manage floor coverage, sommelier scheduling, and service workflows in coordination with the Director of Service and Director of Programming & Events

•       Serve as sommelier-in-residence for high-profile members and top-tier guest reservations

Wine Program Development & Cellar Ops Oversight

•       Architect and maintain a wine list that reflects the club's identity — depth across classic regions, thoughtful representation of emerging producers, and meaningful breadth by style and price point

•       Source wines directly through importer, distributor, and producer relationships; represent 55 Seventy at trade events and secure allocations that help to differentiate the wine program

•       Oversee the management of all cellar inventory, par levels, and organization to minimize waste and maintain peak throughput of wine within the program

•       Oversee all wine purchasing, receiving, and storage protocols in coordination with the Cellar Operations Team

•       Maintain accurate inventory records and cost controls, reporting against budget on a [monthly] basis

•       Lead the Wine Team in advising members on cellar composition, drinking windows, provenance, and value — leading our team in providing a concierge-level procurement experience

Client Inventory Management

•       Oversee the club's member storage and inventory management program, maintaining accurate records of each member's holdings

•       Provide regular cellar reports, consumption updates, and restocking recommendations to individual members

•       Ensure proper environmental controls, organization, and security within all member storage areas

•       Coordinate retrieval, service, and delivery of member inventory for dining, events, and off-site needs

Private Cellar Client Management

•       Lead the club's Private Cellar Program procurement function, developing Private Cellar acquisition clients to maintain a steady supply of mature and rare wines into the program

•       Develop and maintain relationships with auction houses, brokers, négociants, and secondary market channels to access allocation and mature program-worthy inventory

•       Manage all documentation, logistics, and chain of custody for Private Cellar inventory

Off-Premise Sales

•       Develop and execute an off-premise wine sales strategy targeting the 55 Seventy membership and broader client network

•       Curate daily wine offers, pre-sale campaigns, and distribution of allocations for member purchase

•       Oversee tracking of sales activity, member preferences, and client pipeline; report against revenue targets on a monthly basis

•       Partner with the FOH leadership team to identify and develop new off-premise revenue opportunities

Event Wine Service

•       Oversee the execution of wine service for all club events including private dining, wine-focused in-club programming, and trade-facing events

•       Collaborate with the Event Team and BOH Leadership to develop wine pairings, quantities, service logistics, and staffing plans

•       Lead daily pre-event huddles and ensure the Wine Team is fully prepared for execution

•       Serve as the face of the club for tastings, winemaker dinners, and other wine-centric events

Wine Programming & Member Experience

•       Conceive, develop, and execute the club's wine programming calendar — including educational tastings, vertical dinners, producer visits, cellar tours, and member masterclasses

•       Create programming that deepens member engagement, builds community around wine, and reflects the intellectual curiosity of the membership

•       Partner with the marketing and membership teams to communicate and promote programming through club channels

•       Identify and cultivate relationships with winemakers, importers, and wine personalities to bring exclusive experiences to members

Client Development & Member Relations

•       Build deep, ongoing relationships with the club's membership — understanding individual tastes, collecting goals, and service preferences

•       Act as a trusted wine advisor to members across all facets of their wine life, both within and beyond the club

•       Proactively engage members with relevant finds, new arrivals, programming invitations, and personalized recommendations

•       Support membership growth and retention efforts through the wine program's reputation and member satisfaction

Team Leadership & Development

•       Recruit, onboard, mentor, and develop a team of [12] sommeliers, building a culture of excellence, curiosity, and hospitality

•       Lead regular team tastings, training sessions, and study programs to support ongoing certification and professional growth

•       Conduct performance reviews, set individual goals, and create clear pathways for advancement within the wine team

•       Foster a collaborative working relationship with culinary, events, and front-of-house leadership

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Experience & Credentials

•       Minimum 7+ years of wine trade experience, including 5+ years in a Senior or Director-level role

•       Demonstrated experience managing a sommelier team and leading high-volume and luxury wine programming

•       Established relationships with top importers, distributors, auction houses, and benchmark producers across key wine regions

•       Experience with private cellar acquisition, private client wine sales, or a collector-facing advisory role strongly preferred

•       Advanced certification required: Court of Master Sommeliers (Advanced or Master), WSET Diploma or Level 4, or equivalent

Competencies & Qualities

•       Deep, curious, and continuously evolving knowledge of wine — classic regions, emerging appellations, producers, and vintages

•       Exceptional hospitality instincts; natural ability to make members feel known, valued, and well-served

•       Commercial acumen: comfort with budgeting, sales strategy, inventory management, and financial reporting

•       Strong communicator and presenter — able to engage members in both casual tableside conversation and structured educational settings

•       Organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple program areas simultaneously without dropping the thread

•       Entrepreneurial in spirit; able to build and grow program areas with energy and initiative

•       Collaborative leader who elevates the team around them

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

We offer a competitive compensation package commensurate with the scope of this role and the caliber of the individual we are seeking.

Base Salary:  $130,000–$175,000 base salary + performance-based bonus

Performance Bonus:  Discretionary annual bonus at 10% based on program and individual performance

Health Benefits:  Medical, dental, and vision insurance — company covers 50%

Retirement:  401(k) with 3% employer match, eligible after 12 months at FT

Paid Time Off:  10 days annually + 5 company holidays + 5 sick days

Travel Stipend:  Support for wine-related educational travel up to $2,500 annually

Additional Travel:  Support for additional work-related travel to participate in trade events a representative of 55 Seventy