Head of Wine

Today, the family-owned group has 21 unique luxury country houses and coastal retreats, each hand picked for their individuality. Architecturally distinctive and quintessentially British, every hotel boasts an extraordinary location from Scotland to the Channel Islands, offering breathtaking views from vast countryside to expansive beaches, to lush woodlands.

Dedicated to creating unique and enchanting stays, curated personalised service runs through the heart of every hotel. Whilst each hotel is individual, each property fulfils the company values of family, individuality, community and care, with a team commitment to aiming higher and delight their guests with magical experiences that offer a true escape from the every day.

At Hand Picked Hotels, we’re passionate about wine and committed to continually enhancing our offering. We’re excited to offer a rare opportunity to join us as Head of Wine.

In this strategic role, you’ll lead the wine programme in partnership with the Shareholder, overseeing all aspects across our hotel portfolio—from curating wine lists and managing suppliers to ensuring service excellence and team training.

You’ll be responsible for driving the commercial success of the wine offering, increasing sales, profitability, and positioning HPH as a destination for wine enthusiasts.

Key Responsibilities:

•Own and deliver the wine programme’s financial targets, including sales growth, profit margins, and ROI.

•Develop and execute strategies to boost revenue—leveraging events, partnerships, and brand activations.

•Analyse sales data to optimise pricing, stock levels, and product mix in collaboration with the Wine Pricing Executive.

•Build strong supplier and winery relationships to source quality, differentiated wines at competitive terms.

•Curate and continually evolve wine lists aligned to each hotel’s market position and guest profile.

•Collaborate with chefs to ensure wine pairings enhance the dining experience and drive spend.

•Work with Marketing and the Wine Marketer to increase brand reach via events, sponsorships, and storytelling.

•Manage the wine team’s performance and development to deliver results across all sites.

•Oversee the annual wine programme budget and track performance against plan with the CFO and Shareholder.

•Partner with the Head of Wine Education to ensure consistently high service standards and guest experience.

•Explore synergies with the Shareholder’s other investments (e.g. Villa Saletta).

•Monitor competitors and industry trends to maintain a leading edge.

About You:

•Deep knowledge of global wine regions, varietals, vintages, and pairings.

•WSET Level 2 & 3 required; Diploma or CMS Advanced Certificate strongly preferred.

•Proven ability to lead high-performing teams across multiple locations.

•Commercially driven with strong planning, analytical, and decision-making skills.

•Excellent communicator with the ability to influence at all levels.

•Results-focused, resilient, and adaptable with a “can-do” mindset.

•High integrity, ethical standards, and commitment to diversity.

•Willing to travel across the UK and Channel Islands.

Our Benefits:

•Competitive salary package plus performance bonus (discussed at interview).

•Generous company pension, private medical insurance & life assurance.

•33 days holiday (including bank holidays) and enhanced sick pay.

•Access to wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Programme.

•Ongoing career development with in-house and external training, including apprenticeships and industry-recognised courses.

•Colleague discounts on hotel stays, food & drink, and annual loyalty rewards.

•Access to retail and wellness discounts via our online benefits platform.

•A welcoming, inclusive culture where long-term friendships and diversity are celebrated.