Job Description

The Modern is a Michelin-starred contemporary American restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art. The restaurant, which recently earned the Relais & Châteaux designation, features refined, unexpectedly playful dishes that highlight exceptional ingredients and seasonality in two distinct culinary experiences: a bold tasting or prix fixe menu in the dining room and an à la carte menu in the lively Bar Room.

Over the last 20 years, the extensive wine program, which earned a Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2016, has grown to become one of New York’s most robust and comprehensive curations, showcasing 3,000+ SKUs with exceptional diversity and value across classic and emerging wine regions. 

Who you are:

The Beverage Director at The Modern is an ambitious individual responsible for ensuring the excellence, creativity, brand promise, and profitability of the beverage program within the restaurant and the MoMA cafes. You serve as a leader, educator, coach, and mentor to the front of house team by inspiring and teaching skills that will elevate the core values and mission of Union Square Hospitality Group and maintain a world-renowned beverage program.

A person who is successful in this role can balance the demands of leadership, mentorship, and hospitality acumen of the dining room, with the strong financial acumen and program management to support a large wine program and robust cafe business.

What you’ll do: 

• Cultivate a culture of Enlightened Hospitality for all stakeholders that supports our business objectives and growth

• Curate a cellar of 3,000+ wine SKUS

• Partner with the management team to lead the service staff in ensuring that The Modern provides unparalleled hospitality for every guest.

• Oversee and lead the sommelier team, managing all aspects of service and administrative responsibilities, both on the floor and in preparation for service and events

• 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.

What we need from you: 

• A desire to learn and grow with a Michelin, Relais & Châteaux and Grand-Award winning team
• Proven experience as a Wine Director in previous role(s)
• Foundational knowledge of major global wine regions
• Proficient in MS Office, POS, and Cellar Management Software (Craftable, Toast)
• Exceptional teamwork, communication, and leadership skills
• 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:

At Union Square Hospitality Group, we believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As a Wine & Beverage Director, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and bonus potential : Annual compensation of $95,000 - $110,000 plus eligibility for a performance-based bonus, with consideration for your experience and impact
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus flexible spending options for healthcare and dependent care
• Time to recharge: Generous paid time off and paid parental leave to support life outside of work
• Investing in your future: A matched 401(k) plan to help you grow long-term savings
• Peace of mind: Life insurance, employee assistance programs, and exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other wellness services.
• Support in times of need: Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund, offering direct assistance to team members facing unexpected hardship
• Hospitality perks: Annual dining credit and a 51% dining discount across the entire USHG family of restaurants
• Convenience & flexibility: Pre-tax commuter benefits for transit and parking
• Growth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality.

*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.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. This role may be required to take on other duties or projects as necessary to support organizational goals, in alignment with their skills, experience, and the evolving needs of the business.

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