Job Description

Reports to:  Director of Operations 

Classification: Exempt  

Position Overview  

The Director of Beverage is a strategic and hands-on luxury leader responsible for driving excellence across all beverage operations in alignment with Forbes standards and the resort’s five-star aspirations. This role oversees the complete beverage program across the property, with primary leadership responsibility for Hilltop, Boon Fly Cafe, FARM, and Banquet Department.

Set in beautiful Napa Valley, where wine is central to the guest experience, this role carries both creative and financial accountability. The Director of Beverage is responsible for curating a world-class wine program that highlights both leading Napa Valley estates and lesser-known wineries offering distinctive character, compelling value, and unique storytelling.

The Director owns beverage procurement, program development, P&L performance, and COGS management across all outlets. This leader maintains an active operational presence within outlets to support execution, service standards, and guest engagement while partnering with other property department heads and working closely with the Director of Operations and Executive Committee to elevate beverage programming and financial performance. 

Key Responsibilities  

Beverage Strategy & Program Development  

• Develop and execute a comprehensive beverage strategy aligned with the resort’s luxury brand positioning. 
• Build and maintain elevated wine lists across all outlets, balancing iconic producers with emerging and boutique wineries.
• Design and refine a dynamic Wine by the Glass program that drives guest discovery and strong margin performance.
• Oversee development of a seasonally relevant, culinary-driven cocktail program across all outlets.
• Ensure beverage menus  reflect thoughtful pricing strategy, accessibility, and luxury presentation standards.
• Maintain differentiated beverage identities for Hilltop, Boon Fly Cafe, FARM , and Banquets  while ensuring consistency in quality and service execution.  

Financial Performance & Accountability  

• Own and manage the full beverage P&L across the property. 
• Monitor and control beverage COGS to meet or exceed budgeted targets. 
• Prepare annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans. 
• Analyze sales mix, contribution margins, and pricing strategies to maximize profitability. 
• Identify revenue-generating opportunities while protecting luxury standards. 
• Partner with Finance and resort leadership to align beverage performance with overall property goals. 

Procurement & Vendor Management  

• Oversee procurement of all wine, spirits, beer, and specialty beverage products in conjunction with Purchasing Manager. 
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with Napa Valley wineries, emerging producers, distributors, and allocation partners. 
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, and allocations to ensure competitive advantage and product exclusivity. 
• Implement structured inventory controls, par levels, cellar management practices, and loss prevention measures. 
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local alcohol regulations. 

Operational Presence & Service Excellence  

• Maintain a visible and engaged presence across beverage outlets, especially during peak periods and high-profile events. 
• Support outlet leadership to ensure consistent luxury service execution and guest engagement. 
• Lead structured tastings and ongoing beverage education for service teams. 
• Collaborate closely with Culinary leadership to enhance food and beverage pairing opportunities. 
• Uphold Forbes-level standards in beverage presentation, knowledge, and service refinement.

Team Development & Leadership  

• Recruit, mentor, and develop high-performing beverage leaders and service professionals. 
• Establish performance expectations and accountability standards aligned with luxury benchmarks. 
• Foster a culture of product fluency, professionalism, and continuous improvement. 
• Provide structured coaching and feedback to strengthen team capability and guest engagement. 

Guest Experience & Brand Elevation  

• Engage directly with guests to enhance personalization and build loyalty. 
• Curate memorable tasting experiences, wine features, and seasonal activations. 
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest feedback related to beverage offerings. 
• Support marketing initiatives, special events, and activations that elevate the resort’s beverage reputation within Napa Valley. 

Qualifications  

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a high-level beverage program with full financial accountability. 
• Proven expertise developing sophisticated wine lists and beverage programs within luxury hospitality or fine dining environments. 
• 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in beverage-focused roles. 
• Exceptional wine knowledge, particularly Napa Valley producers and global benchmark regions. 
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L performance, COGS controls, and forecasting. 
• Advanced wine or sommelier certifications (WSET Diploma, Sommelier or higher) strongly preferred. 
• Excellent communication skills, executive presence, and leadership maturity. 

Schedule & Physical Requirements  

• Flexible availability required, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak seasons. 
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods across a 28-acre resort property. 
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds as needed for operational oversight or event support. 

TOTAL COMPENSATION

• Base Salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 
• Health and Dependent Care FSA Options
• Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability 
• Critical Illness, Cancer, Hospital Indemnity and Accident Supplemental Insurance
• 401k with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off (PTO) & Sick Leave

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