Head Sommelier

Sunny Isles Beach, FL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Restaurant Discounts

Training and development opportunities

employee recognition programs

Job Description

Delano is a distinguished name in the luxury hospitality industry, known for its sophisticated and refined approach to welcoming guests. As an iconic brand that honors a celebrated legacy while evolving boldly into the future, Delano has established itself as a global hospitality icon. Each Delano location nurtures a unique spirit of community, designed to attract and delight some of the world’s most curious, creative, and well-traveled guests. The brand is known for its dedication to providing exceptional experiences through impeccable service, elegant design, and carefully curated offerings that reflect its distinctive identity. Delano operates in the luxury hotel and fine dining sectors and is committed to upholding the highest standards of hospitality, ensuring a world-class guest experience across all its venues.

The role of Head Sommelier at Delano represents an exciting leadership opportunity within one of its prestigious restaurants. Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, the Head Sommelier will be instrumental in shaping and executing a sophisticated wine program. This role involves the curation, management, and service of an outstanding array of wines, reflecting both global diversity and the restaurant’s innovative culinary offerings. The Head Sommelier will lead a dedicated team of sommeliers and service staff, fostering an environment that emphasizes knowledge, elegance, and a guest-focused approach. Responsibilities include developing a carefully crafted wine list that aligns with seasonal and regional considerations, overseeing procurement and storage to maintain wine quality and inventory accuracy, and working closely with the culinary team to enhance the guest dining experience through expert wine pairings.

In addition to managing everyday operations, the Head Sommelier will champion training initiatives to ensure the team delivers consistent, expert wine service. Monitoring sales trends and guest preferences to implement strategic upselling and promotions will also be crucial for driving beverage revenue. The role demands a strong compliance orientation, ensuring regulations related to alcohol service and storage are strictly followed. This position is essential in maintaining Delano’s brand philosophy and reputation for excellence, and demands a leader who can balance precision with creativity, operational rigor with an inviting hospitality spirit, and team leadership with guest engagement. The opportunity promises a dynamic and rewarding career path for sommelier professionals passionate about elevating wine experiences in a luxurious dining setting. The employment type is full-time, and remuneration will be commensurate with experience and the prestige associated with this luxury hospitality brand.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, culinary arts, or related field preferred
Minimum 5 years of progressive wine service experience with at least 2 years in a leadership or head sommelier role in a fine dining or luxury restaurant environment
Certification from a recognized wine education body strongly preferred
Expert-level knowledge of international wine regions, varietals, vintages, wine pairing, and cellar management practices
Proven experience in developing and managing high-level wine programs including selection, purchasing, inventory control, and cost management
Strong leadership and team development skills with ability to coach and mentor junior sommeliers and service staff
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while multitasking and addressing guest needs
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods (minimum of 8 hours per shift)
Physically able to handle objects weighing 20 lbs or more including wine cases
Working knowledge of food safety standards, responsible alcohol service laws, and compliance with health and hygiene protocols
Maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance
Adherence to department uniform guidelines

Job Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent required
Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, or related field preferred
Minimum 5 years of progressive wine service experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or head sommelier role in a fine dining or luxury restaurant environment
Certification from a recognized wine education body (e.g., WSET Level 3 or Diploma, Court of Master Sommeliers – Certified or Advanced) strongly preferred
Expert-level knowledge of international wine regions, varietals, vintages, wine pairing, and cellar management practices
Proven experience in developing and managing high-level wine programs, including selection, purchasing, inventory control, and cost management
Strong leadership and team development skills, with the ability to coach and mentor junior sommeliers and service staff
Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
able to convey complex wine knowledge in an approachable and engaging way
Strong sales and upselling skills with an ability to drive beverage revenue while maintaining guest satisfaction
Ability to remain calm and focused in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while multitasking and addressing guest needs
Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods (minimum of 8 hours per shift)
Physically able to reach, bend, lift, twist, push, or pull and consistently handle objects weighing 20 lbs or more, including wine cases
Working knowledge of food safety standards, responsible alcohol service laws, and compliance with health and hygiene protocols
All team members must maintain a neat, clean and well-groomed appearance
Specific department uniform guidelines and/or required articles of clothing will be explained by supervisor

Job Duties

Lead and oversee the sommelier team to ensure refined and knowledgeable wine service that enhances the guest dining experience
Establish, implement, and uphold wine service protocols, storage procedures, and guest interaction standards that align with the restaurant's identity and brand philosophy
Develop and maintain a carefully curated wine list that reflects regional diversity, seasonal availability, and aligns with culinary offerings
Work closely with the Executive Chef and Restaurant Manager to enforce guidelines on wine pairing strategies, upselling approaches, and cross-departmental collaboration
Supervise the ordering, inventory management, and proper cellaring of all wines, ensuring stock integrity, vintage rotation, and cost control
Enforce service standards through regular on-the-floor coaching and ensure consistency in wine presentation, pouring, and guest engagement
Train all sommeliers and service staff to a high standard of product knowledge, ensuring confident wine recommendations and adherence to restaurant guidelines
Monitor and analyze wine sales data, providing insight to management and implementing sales initiatives based on guest preferences and trends
Ensure full compliance with local and international liquor laws, health regulations, and internal policies concerning alcohol service and storage
Lead and oversee scheduled wine education sessions and tastings in alignment with internal training protocols
Foster a respectful, team-driven culture that emphasizes accountability, consistency, and excellence in every detail of the wine experience
Maintain meticulous inventory records and reporting systems to support purchasing strategies and avoid stock discrepancies
Perform any additional responsibilities as directed by the Restaurant Manager to support the overall success of the restaurant
Provide lateral service as needed to ensure exceptional guest experiences
Perform various related tasks routinely to uphold high service standards