Countryside Restaurant *new Opening jobs

WHO WE ARE

Itasca Wines, based in Hampshire, was formed over five years ago and has grown into the second-largest contract winemaker in the UK.

Our range of award-winning wines is renowned for its quality and connection to sustainable farming.

After a successful few years, Itasca has started to branch out into own-brand wine and hospitality, and has acquired Cranborne Lodge, a beautiful stately home in the Dorset countryside. It is our intention that Cranborne becomes the “Maison” for Seventeen 28, our own brand, and the personification of that brand across all touchpoints.

Wine sits at the heart of what we do, but our ambitions extend well beyond the bottle. We are developing a distinctive hospitality offering that brings together English wine, food, beautiful places and memorable experiences.

As the business enters an important new stage of development, we are looking for an exceptional Project Manager to help turn these plans into reality.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an exceptional Hospitality Project Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of one of our most exciting and ambitious projects to date: the opening and operation of Cranborne Lodge, including its hotel, restaurant and key hospitality areas across the business.

This pivotal role will be responsible for managing the critical path from launch through to establishing Cranborne Lodge as a destination venue, ensuring all operational, commercial and strategic objectives are delivered successfully and in line with the vision of Seventeen 28 and Itasca Group.

We are looking for someone who will take ownership of a number of exciting hospitality and visitor-focused projects, taking them from initial concept and planning through to opening and successful operation.

Working closely with the owners and senior team, particularly Marketing and Commercial, you will co-create the plans, timelines and structures needed to deliver these projects successfully - bringing together the many different people, decisions and details involved along the way.

The role will span hospitality, wine, food and beverage, events and guest experiences, including but not limited to weddings, the Wine Centre of Excellence and Wine School, bar operations and on-site events.

It will suit someone who enjoys building things: someone who can take an idea, work out what needs to happen and then make sure it does.

You will be joining at a particularly exciting point in our development and will have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future direction of the business.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced hospitality project professional to shape a world-class destination, overseeing all aspects of operational planning, pre-opening activity, recruitment, training and guest experience development across accommodation, food and beverage, wellness and membership propositions.

Based at Cranborne Lodge in Dorset, this is a full-time, site-based role requiring close collaboration across multiple business functions and stakeholders.

SALARY £44,000 - £54,000 per annum dependent on experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management & Delivery

• Develop, manage and deliver the overall strategic plan and critical path, ensuring all milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
• Monitor overall progress, identify risks and implement mitigation plans where required.
• Coordinate multiple workstreams and ensure effective project governance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare regular updates and reports for senior stakeholders and leadership teams.

Pre-Opening & Operational Readiness

• Lead all operational readiness activities in preparation for launch and beyond.
• Oversee the development of operational structures, policies, procedures and service standards.
• Coordinate testing, soft-opening activities and readiness reviews to ensure a seamless opening experience.
• Ensure all legal, health and safety and regulatory requirements are met.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the key link between operational teams, development teams and external partners.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders across Hospitality, Commercial, Finance, Marketing, People and Operations.
• Manage relationships with consultants, contractors and suppliers, ensuring effective communication and decision-making throughout the project.

People & Recruitment

· Develop workforce plans and timelines.

· Working alongside senior management, help determine the people and skills required for each new operation and support the recruitment, induction and training process.

· Help create teams that are commercially aware, genuinely hospitable and proud to represent our business and our wines.

· Help establish a high-performing culture that reflects the standards and ethos of Seventeen 28 and Itasca Wines.

· Lead by example and demonstrate a solutions-focused working ethos.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Support budget planning and forecasting activities.
• Monitor project expenditure and ensure resources are allocated effectively.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and support the successful delivery of project objectives within agreed financial parameters.

SKILLS YOU WILL BRING

• Significant experience managing large-scale luxury hospitality, hotel, leisure or private members’ club projects.
• Proven track record of delivering projects from concept through to operational launch and beyond.
• Strong project management expertise, including critical path planning, risk management and governance.
• Experience leading pre-opening and operational readiness activities.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels.
• Strong commercial acumen and budget management experience.
• Highly organised, with exceptional planning and prioritisation skills.
• Proactive, resilient and solutions-focused, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
• Desirable: Knowledge of hospitality systems implementation and operational technology.

WHY JOIN US?

This is an opportunity to join an established English wine business at an important stage in its evolution.

Rather than inheriting a finished operation, you will have the chance to help shape what comes next - creating new experiences, developing new revenue streams and helping us build a hospitality business that reflects the quality, character and ambition of our wines.

For the right person, it is an opportunity to leave a very visible mark on the business and the industry.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please apply by emailing your CV and a cover letter to recruitment@itascawines.com.

Pay: £44,000.00-£54,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person