Position Overview:
The Vice President of Operations is responsible for the operational performance, financial success, and leadership of the Adair Family Wines portfolio of winery and hospitality properties. Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this position provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for Estate Managers while ensuring each property delivers exceptional guest experiences, achieves financial objectives, and operates efficiently and consistently.
This role is equal parts strategist, coach, and executor—responsible for developing high-performing Estate Managers into accountable business leaders while driving operational excellence across all estates. The Vice President of Operations evaluates business performance, identifies growth opportunities, implements operational improvements, and ensures every property consistently meets or exceeds established performance goals.
In addition to estate leadership, this role has direct responsibility for facilities management, maintenance, operational standards, capital improvement projects, regulatory compliance, and cross-property operational coordination. Working collaboratively with Hospitality, Marketing, Winemaking, Finance, Human Resources, and other functional leaders, the Vice President of Operations ensures operational execution supports the company's strategic objectives while preserving the unique identity and culture of each winery.
---
Key Responsibilities
Multi-Estate Leadership & Performance Management
· Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability for Estate Managers across all winery properties.
· Evaluate estate performance through regular site visits, operational reviews, financial reporting, and key performance indicators, including revenue, labor, guest satisfaction, wine club performance, event revenue, and operational execution.
· Conduct routine estate assessments to evaluate operational effectiveness, facility condition, staff performance, and guest experience.
· Develop and implement performance improvement plans to address operational challenges and improve overall estate performance.
· Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the portfolio.
Strategic Planning & Business Performance
· Partner with the Chief Operating Officer to develop and execute operational strategies that support company objectives and long-term growth.
· Identify opportunities to improve profitability through operational efficiencies, revenue enhancement initiatives, and disciplined expense management.
· Collaborate with Finance on annual operating budgets, capital planning, forecasting, and financial performance reviews.
· Translate organizational priorities into measurable operational initiatives across all estates.
· Support acquisitions, property transitions, and operational integration activities as needed.
Facilities, Maintenance & Asset Management
· Provide executive oversight of facilities management, maintenance operations, and physical assets across all winery properties.
· Develop preventative maintenance programs that maximize equipment reliability and preserve company assets.
· Ensure all winery facilities, grounds, hospitality venues, and infrastructure are maintained to the highest standards.
· Manage vendor relationships, service contracts, and maintenance resources to ensure quality work and cost-effective operations.
· Establish long-term asset management strategies and facility improvement plans.
Capital Projects & Operational Excellence
· Lead planning and execution of capital improvement projects, renovations, infrastructure upgrades, and operational enhancements.
· Coordinate architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders throughout project lifecycles.
· Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company quality standards.
· Develop and implement company-wide operational standards, policies, and best practices that improve consistency and efficiency across all properties.
· Champion continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational execution and organizational performance.
Guest Experience & Cross-Functional Leadership
· Ensure operational excellence supports a consistently exceptional guest experience across all winery properties.
· Partner with Hospitality, Wine Club, Events, Marketing, and Winemaking teams to align operational priorities with revenue-generating initiatives.
· Support the successful execution of winery events, hospitality programs, and member experiences through effective operational planning.
· Serve as the primary operational liaison between estate teams and corporate departments to ensure organizational alignment and effective communication.
Safety, Compliance & Organizational Leadership
· Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to facilities, workplace safety, and winery operations.
· Oversee safety initiatives, emergency preparedness, risk management, and regulatory compliance across all estates.
· Develop and maintain operational policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
· Promote a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
---
Qualifications
· 10+ years of progressive leadership experience overseeing multi-site hospitality, winery, resort, private club, or related operations.
· Demonstrated success leading large operational teams and developing high-performing managers.
· Strong financial acumen with experience interpreting P&Ls, operating budgets, and capital expenditures.
· Proven experience managing facilities, maintenance operations, and capital improvement projects.
· Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and organizational skills.
· Strong understanding of luxury hospitality operations, guest service standards, and operational best practices.
· Proficient in CRM, POS, scheduling, and wine club management platforms.
· Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
---
Success Metrics
· Financial Performance: Meet or exceed revenue, profitability, labor, and operational performance goals across the winery portfolio.
· Leadership Development: Build and develop a high-performing team of Estate Managers who demonstrate accountability, operational excellence, and strong business leadership.
· Operational Excellence: Maintain consistent operational standards, efficient business processes, and exceptional guest experiences across all winery properties.
· Facilities & Asset Performance: Ensure winery facilities, infrastructure, and physical assets are maintained through proactive maintenance programs and effective capital planning.
· Capital Project Execution: Successfully deliver capital improvement projects on time, within budget, and in alignment with operational and brand standards.
· Strategic Execution: Translate company objectives into measurable operational initiatives that improve business performance, strengthen organizational alignment, and support long-term growth.
---
Physical Requirements
· Frequent travel between winery properties throughout Napa and Sonoma Counties.
· Regular movement throughout winery, hospitality, and outdoor estate environments.
· Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, bend, kneel, crouch, and lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
· Ability to work in both office and outdoor environments, including varying weather conditions.
---
Working Conditions
· Combination of office, winery, hospitality, and outdoor work environments.
· Frequent collaboration with Estate Managers, executive leadership, vendors, contractors, and cross-functional teams.
· Requires flexibility to support business operations, special events, capital projects, and seasonal operational demands across multiple winery properties.
Pay: $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
