A Director of Winery Experiences position in Woodinville, WA is available at Chateau Ste. Michelle. This position is a strategic and dynamic leader responsible for overseeing all guest-facing experiences and operational functions across the Woodinville property. This includes the retail shop, private salon tastings, guided property tours, culinary team, all events on property including corporate and internal VIP as well as support of experiences related to the seasonal concert series. The Director of Winery Experiences ensures that every touchpoint reflects the brand’s commitment to excellence, hospitality, compliance with local and state laws and safety for all employees and guests.
This role partners closely with cross-functional teams, including Wine Club and eCommerce, DTC Operations, to drive revenue, enhance member engagement, and optimize direct-to-consumer performance. The Director of Winery Experiences leads and develops the property operations team, fostering a culture of service, compliance, and continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a strong background in luxury hospitality or retail, who thrives in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment, and can inspire high standards of execution across all areas of the winery experience.
The schedule for this position is Wednesday through Sunday, with some evening hours required based on business needs. During the summer season, this schedule may flex to support concerts and other events. Additional flexibility may be required to support business operations during peak periods or scheduling/staffing needs.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the largest wine company in the Pacific Northwest, and among the largest premium wine companies in the U.S, with roots dating back to 1933. Throughout our 90+ year history, what has remained constant is our unwavering commitment to quality, service to our customers, and connection with our community. We are proud that our award-winning wines farmed in Washington are an expression of all the best things about the Pacific Northwest — the spirit of people, the abundance of the land, and the excellence-driven culture. Our distinctive portfolio of wines, including Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14 Hands, Columbia Crest, Intrinsic, Liquid Light, Northstar, and Spring Valley Vineyard, are enjoyed across the U.S. and distributed in over 100 countries.
Director of Winery Experiences job responsibilities include:
- Develop strategies and execute brand tactics that deliver remarkable experiences to consumers and develop brand ambassadors of Chateau Ste. Michelle.
- Partner with the Guest Services Manager(s) to develop a guest services team of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates brand ambassadors who provide exceptional customer service to create brand enthusiasts.
- Develop financial strategies that meet and exceed budgeted revenue and profit goals while balancing costs and guest experience.
- Collaborate with marketing partners to develop strategies and programs to drive visitor traffic and overall sales that align with brand strategies.
- Ensure that the property’s appearance and its inventories are always aligned with brand standards.
- Inspect property on a regular basis in partnership with the operations team to ensure safety, comfort, and cleanliness that meet brand presentation standards.
- Collaborate with the culinary and education team to create exceptional guest experiences.
- Coordinate with Guest Services Manager(s) to hire, train, and counsel staff.
- Analyze business trends and create business-building programs that both fit within the corporate goals and enhance revenue opportunities.
- Team up with DEG – Digital Marketing on strategies to increase traffic and reach new demographics for the Visitor’s Center.
- Own the marketing programs and tourism development related to Woodinville Retail.
- Collaborate with the Guest Services Retail Operations Manager to control inventory – including allocation, flow, replenishment and inventory variances.
- Act as a representative of the Public Relations department, including hosting media engagements on an as‑needed basis.
- Ensure that Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the industry leader in providing external and internal customer service.
- Strive to build positive relationships within the Greater Seattle area and Woodinville community.
- Foster a culture of integrity, trust and respect.
- Conduct all business in a compliant manner, following company guidelines, local and state laws in all areas including shipping, service and selling of wine, movement of product, and alcohol and health department control standards.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
- Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
- Position requires operation of standard office equipment, POS systems, and time at a desk.
- Summer months involve significant outdoor work in various weather conditions, including walking the property and overseeing property standards.
Position Requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferred.
- Class 12 MAST Permit and Food Handler’s Permit required.
- Valid Driver’s License required.
- 10 – 15 years retail and/or hospitality experience in complex environments required.
- Must have prior budgeting and P&L experience with demonstrated abilities in these areas.
- Strong technical computer skills including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, POS systems (Microsoft D365 preferred), etc. and ability to demonstrate these skills
- Strong personnel management experience and problem-solving skills.
- Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational abilities.
- Strong financial and analytical skills.
- Proven ability to manage several projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
- Capability to excel in a high-profile environment.
- Demonstrated experience in coaching staff on sales and technical training.
- Ability to manage relationships with key stakeholders involved in the business, including brand marketing, creative, web site, event planners, winemaking, etc.
- Exceptional leadership skills, with a proven track record of building revenue and profit.
- Strong customer service orientation in a high-end, high-touch environment.
- Highly developed communication skills including polished public speaking and presentation skills.
- Retail purchasing experience with a solid understanding of inventory, receiving and shipping, and cash control procedures.
- History of responsible use of alcohol and other appropriate conduct, as well as fitness to be licensed, permitted, and/or certified by state and/or local regulatory bodies.
Your Compensation:
$110,093.00 - $143,132.00 per year based upon relevant experience.
At Ste. Michelle Wine Estates we believe in paying our employees equal pay for equal work. Individual offers are made dependent upon a candidate’s prior experience and education level as it pertains to the role.
Benefits of working with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates:
Our Total Rewards programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain talented, curious people with a passion for innovation, collaboration, continuous improvement, and growth. We offer leading programs that inspire and reward superior performance and foster an inclusive, diverse, and healthy workforce.
- Health Care Coverage including medical, dental, vision & prescription – eligible on date of hire for full-time employees
- Paid Vacation & Holidays
- 401(k) with Employer Match and Supplemental Contribution
- Employee Wine Discounts
Culture at Ste. Michelle:
We Challenge: We are driven to succeed in everything we do, and we challenge ourselves and our team to perform at the highest level.
We Care: We put people first – our team, our consumers, our customers, our communities.
We Collaborate: We believe there is nothing we can’t accomplish – together – and we believe lifting up those around us is essential to achieving both individual and collective success.
Harvest your potential, Uncork the possibilities! If you are interested in a Director of Winery Experiences position in Woodinville, WA please apply now.
Need assistance with the application process? Click here to review step by step instructions available in English (https://www.canva.com/design/DAFxEJ8eKv8/ylTNe1U6RICdkkYrXdkUdQ/watch?utm_content=DAFxEJ8eKv8&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor) or Spanish (https://www.canva.com/design/DAFw_ODpF4k/a-67o7HbQXFdAoftfEo_Lg/watch?utm_content=DAFw_ODpF4k&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor).
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class. For more information, see the EEOC's "Equal Employment Opportunity is The Law (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf)" poster.
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