Chief of Staff

Position Overview

Adair Family Wines is seeking an experienced, highly capable Chief of Staff to serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to ownership while helping oversee the day-to-day coordination of our winery portfolio.

This role will act as an extension of ownership, driving accountability, execution, communication, and strategic initiatives across multiple winery properties and departments. The Chief of Staff will bridge the gap between vision and execution, ensuring priorities move forward efficiently while maintaining the culture and standards that define Adair Family Wines.

The ideal candidate is a strong leader, exceptional communicator, and practical problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment. They possess the ability to move seamlessly between strategy and operations, build trust with diverse teams, and make sound decisions while keeping ownership informed.

This position is not limited to a single discipline. Rather, it requires someone who can see the big picture, connect departments, remove obstacles, and ensure organizational priorities are executed effectively.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Ownership Partnership

Serve as the primary liaison between ownership and winery leadership teams.
Act as an extension of ownership by representing leadership in meetings, operational discussions, and cross-functional initiatives.
Assist ownership in translating strategic vision into actionable priorities across the organization.
Monitor progress on key company initiatives and ensure deadlines, deliverables, and commitments are met.
Provide recommendations and insights to ownership regarding operational effectiveness, organizational opportunities, and emerging challenges.
Operate with delegated authority to represent ownership and assist in decision-making within established guidelines.

Organizational Execution & Accountability

Drive accountability and follow-through across departments, ensuring teams remain aligned with company objectives.
Identify barriers to execution and implement practical solutions that improve performance and efficiency.
Improve organizational systems, communication channels, and operational processes.
Coordinate and oversee strategic projects from planning through implementation.
Facilitate productive cross-department collaboration and ensure alignment across winery operations.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Support initiatives related to hospitality, events, operations, marketing, human resources, finance, compliance, facilities, and maintenance.
Assist department leaders in prioritizing initiatives and allocating resources effectively.
Help establish clear expectations, measurable goals, and accountability structures throughout the organization.
Travel regularly between winery properties to maintain visibility, foster relationships, and support leadership teams.

Leadership Development & Culture

Champion the values and culture of Adair Family Wines throughout the organization.
Support hiring efforts, onboarding initiatives, succession planning, and leadership development.
Foster collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement across teams.
Serve as a trusted resource for department leaders navigating challenges and opportunities.

Qualifications

Required Experience

Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality, operations, executive leadership, project management, or a related field.
Demonstrated success leading teams, departments, or complex business initiatives.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and execute effectively in a dynamic environment.
Experience working directly with senior executives, ownership groups, or founders preferred.
Strong project management and organizational leadership skills.

Leadership Competencies

Ability to build credibility and trust with individuals at all levels of an organization.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
Ability to make thoughtful decisions with incomplete information while exercising sound judgment.
Self-starter capable of operating independently while maintaining regular communication with ownership.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving progress in evolving environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Wine industry experience is strongly preferred but not required
Degree in communications or business preferred

Adair Family Wines

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