Head Sommelier

Could you help shape the future of one of the most exciting wine destinations in the UK?

About the role

At THE PIG in the South Downs, wine is more than what's in the glass. With our own vineyard on the estate and a commitment to showcasing the very best of Sussex and English wine, we're looking for an exceptional Head Sommelier to lead our wine offering and help establish THE PIG in the South Downs as the flagship wine hotel across the group.

Responsibilities

• Oversee every aspect of the wine journey, ensuring our guests experience something truly special from vineyard to glass.
• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and Group Head of Wine to develop and deliver an engaging, guest-facing wine programme that celebrates our location, our vineyard and the exceptional wines of Sussex.
• Lead and inspire the wine team, delivering outstanding service and expertise.
• Curate a dynamic and commercially successful wine offering that evolves throughout the year.
• Create and deliver guest experiences including vineyard tours, tastings, wine dinners, masterclasses and special events.
• Use our vineyard as a unique education, marketing and guest experience asset, bringing the story of English wine to life.
• Build meaningful relationships with local wineries and producers, showcasing the very best of the region.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure wine is at the heart of the guest experience.

Requirements

• The ability to position THE PIG in the South Downs as the group's flagship wine hotel, creating a reputation that attracts wine lovers from across the UK and beyond.
• Proven experience creating and delivering an engaging guest-facing wine programme, including tours, tastings, events and an innovative year-round wine offering that keeps guests returning.
• A genuine passion for using a vineyard as a unique guest experience, educational platform and marketing tool.
• Strong knowledge of the English wine industry, particularly Sussex, with an established network of contacts or the ability to build and nurture relationships with local producers.
• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to engage guests at every level of wine knowledge.
• Commercial awareness and a passion for delivering both memorable experiences and strong business results.
• Leadership experience with the ability to coach, develop and inspire a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a similar role.
• Wine education and certification (e.g., MW, MWW, WSET).
• Experience with on-site vineyards and winemaking processes.
• Knowledge of English wine production and distribution.

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Benefits

• Complimentary bed & breakfast stays across THE PIG Hotels.
• 35% discount on food, drink and treatments across the collection.
• Freshly prepared meals on duty, every shift.
• Up to 33 days' holiday, increasing with length of service.
• Private Healthcare, critical illness cover and death in service benefit.
• 24/7 access to GP appointments, physiotherapy and counselling services through Help@Hand.
• Outstanding learning and development opportunities.
• Exclusive team trips, experiences and performance incentives.
• Anniversary dining vouchers with wine for two.
• Exceptional career progression opportunities within a growing, award-winning hotel group.