Head Sommelier

La Petite Maison (LPM), a globally celebrated name in fine dining, is seeking a Head Sommelier for its Dubai DIFC restaurant. This is a full-time, onsite role that places you at the helm of the wine program and the guest experience in a world-class dining room. If you love wine, enjoy mentoring a team, and want to shape service in a high-end environment, this could be a great fit.

The brand is known for exceptional service and timeless French-Mediterranean cuisine, and the Dubai site offers a platform to influence how guests discover and enjoy wine in one of the city’s most iconic venues. The role is built for a leader who thrives in luxury hospitality and who wants to drive a memorable wine journey for guests, while guiding a team to perform at a high level.

For someone who loves wine and people, this position provides a clear leadership path within an international group with a footprint across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US. You’ll be trusted to uphold LPM standards, cultivate strong guest relationships, and elevate the wine experience in line with the LPM way.

A day in the life on the floor

On a typical day, you steer the on-site wine program, plan weekly team meetings, and assess performance to keep everyone aligned with service standards. You’ll be the go-to expert on wines and pairings, training staff on knowledge and service tools while guiding guests through thoughtful recommendations that enhance their dining experience. You’ll also stay attuned to hospitality trends and guest feedback, spotting opportunities to refine both service and the wine list.

A core part of the role involves building and sustaining strong relationships with wine suppliers, ensuring deliveries arrive on time, and negotiating favorable terms. You’ll continually search for new offers to enrich the cellar, balancing classic selections with current trends to keep the list exciting and appropriate for the high-end DIFC environment.

The wine captain's toolkit

The following are essential qualifications for the role:

• A track record of five to six years working with wine, including a minimum of two years in an Assistant Head Sommelier capacity

• A WSET level 2 certificate or higher

• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written

• Strong attention to detail, paired with speed and accuracy in service

• Familiarity with point-of-sale systems and cash handling

The nuts and bolts of the role in Dubai

This is a full-time, onsite position based in Dubai, specifically at the DIFC site. The opportunity centers on leading a high-performing wine team and shaping a wine program that supports top-tier dining experiences. The role also offers growth potential within an international group with a reach across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.

Advice for applicants for this role

Lead with your wine leadership story on your résumé. Open with a line that highlights your five to six years in wine work and at least two years in an Assistant Head Sommelier role, and mention any experience guiding a team in a fine-dining setting.

Show how you can prove the must-have skills. Include your WSET level 2 or higher certification and give concrete examples of training staff on wines and operational tools, plus your comfort with POS systems and cash handling.

Prepare for interviews by outlining how you would manage supplier relationships, ensure timely deliveries, and negotiate terms that enrich the cellar while supporting service standards on the floor.

Ask a thoughtful question about how the wine program might evolve within DIFC and how LPM supports growth and supplier partnerships as the brand expands across its international footprint.