the client is structuring a new fine wine division and is seeking a Senior VP fine wine leader to build and grow the business. The fine wine portfolio includes strong, declining, and very high-end brands, and the role is intended to act as a true CEO-style position focused on brand building and commercial results.
The objective is to refine the division’s vision and strategy and drive growth to double the business size by 2025 through organic initiatives and M&A. Responsibilities will include establishing category-leading capabilities across brand building, general and brand management, and omni-channel commercial execution across direct-to-consumer e-commerce, direct-to-consumer hospitality, three-tier e-commerce, and wholesale sales. The role will also collaborate cross-functionally with winemaking, innovation and growth, operations, corporate strategy, and corporate communications.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of brand building and commercial performance, including P&L accountability within wine, spirits, or adjacent categories with a luxury focus. They should be able to influence and lead effectively in a matrix organization with direct and dotted-line reports, and be skilled at identifying and addressing complex opportunities with executive and management teams and external influencers. A bachelor’s degree is required, with an MBA strongly preferred, and experience setting and executing strategy and operations across brand, product, omni-channel sales, hospitality, and customer service is expected; experience identifying, onboarding, and integrating M&A targets is preferred.