Wine Director - Union Square Cafe : Job Details

Union Square Cafe's seasonal cuisine draws inspiration from the kitchens and tables of Italy, France, and Northern California. Union Square Café—the flagship business that launched Union Square Hospitality Group—has been one of the country's most beloved restaurants for more than 35 years. In our second home on 19th Street, Union Square Café embodies the heartfelt passion and generosity that has been the restaurant's calling card since we opened in 1985. Designed by Rockwell Group, our new home preserves the restaurant's signature charm, intimacy, and familiarity in a fresh, contemporary dining environment. Union Square Café has won five James Beard Awards and earned Zagat Survey's #1 ranking as New York's Most Popular Restaurant an unprecedented nine times.

Who you are:

The Wine Director for Union Square Café is responsible for every aspect of the beverage program: selecting and maintaining the wine list, hiring and leading sommeliers, and ensuring the financial health of the business.

What you'll do:

• Cultivate a culture of Enlightened Hospitality for all stakeholders that supports our business objectives and growth
• Partner with the management team to lead the service staff in ensuring that USHG provides unparalleled hospitality for every guest
• Endlessly look for opportunities for Beverage to open doors to Hospitality and dialogue between guests and businesses.
• Guide teams in discovering ways to ‘find the yes' for guests in a manner that upholds the integrity of USHG operations.
• Build a culture of enlightened hospitality by ensuring excellent standards of service, communication, and education.
• Use Beverage to actively drive cover counts and introduce new guests to our brand as well as encouraging existing guests to return.
• Consistently looks for internal and external opportunities to build our growing team
• Fosters a positive, collaborative work environment for both the service and kitchen teams, ensuring clear communication at all times
• Educate the Service Team on the wine, beer, spirits, cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverage offerings for all beverages within the restaurant in a way that adds quality and value as well as enhances the guest experience while achieving and surpassing financial goals.
• Ensure that all end-of-period reports, inventories, and forecasts are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure that all beverage changes are executed properly with necessary communication and with education in mind.
• Ensure that all POS systems, inventory systems, beverage lists, and any other information related to the selling of beverages are understood by the team and remain accurate and up to date.
• Maintain key relationships with other beverage/wine managers and directors across USHG. Show commitment to sharing best practices and learning from a family of professionals.
• Perform all due diligence, utilize strategy, and exercise exceptional judgment in order to ensure we are getting the best possible product for the most advantageous price possible.
• Perform additional responsibilities as needed and other duties as assigned to support team objectives and operational success.

What we need from you:

• 3+ years of restaurant beverage management experience
• Excellent Beverage knowledge – including beer, wine, and spirits. High level CMS/WSET or equivalent experience/knowledge
• Excellent understanding of beverage inventory and cost management
• Excellent knowledge of restaurant service team roles
• Strong communication and people management skills
• Fluency in the English language

What you'll get from us:

• Annual base salary of $100,000 - $105,000 plus bonus potential of $17,000*
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• 3 weeks Paid Time off to support you with an active life outside of work
• $1,000 annual dining credit and 51% dining discount throughout the USHG family of restaurants
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Options (health care, dependent care, transit & parking)
• Employee Assistance Program to support overall mental wellbeing
• Exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other healthcare services through Radish Health
• Matched 401(k) to help you invest in your future
• Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund

*The above represents the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we'll consider your experience and other job-related factors. #WORKWITHUSMore detail about Union Square Cafe part of Union Square Hospitality Group, please visit