Director of Enology & Viticulture

General Description: This position has primary responsibility for teaching courses within the Enology and Viticulture program, leading the instructional team, and leading production operations.
The Director is responsible for all aspects of program and winery operations to ensure education and production meet industry demands.
This position will be responsible for developing new, and maintaining existing, industry relationships that benefit the students we serve and the programs they are enrolled in.
The director will provide oversight of all wine making operations for the wines produced by College Cellars, including oversight of the estate vineyards and the production winery including maintaining compliance with all state and federal regulations.
The Director will have regular interaction with the Business Office at WWCC to ensure that College Cellars is being run in fiscally responsible manner, will work with media to promote College Cellars and the Enology and Viticulture program.
The Director will be expected to maintain a high level of engagement with the WWCC campus community, Enology and Viticulture staff and instructors, staff and instructors in other areas, and with the Dean of Workforce Education whom they report to directly.
Essential Functions: Ability to instruct students in winemaking and viticulture practices relevant to the wine industry.
Possess and display a passion for students and their academic and professional success.
Develop relevant curriculum to enthusiastically and effectively teach courses, workshops and seminars that meet the needs of both students and the local/regional wine industry.
Recruit, advise, mentor and support students educational and career goals.
Assist in placing them in industry positions relevant to their career goals.
Engage with students both in the classroom and outside of the classroom via practical hands-on learning opportunities.
Work with other institutions to develop and assess of the enology and viticulture program curriculum and organization.
Develop and implement program effectiveness and outcomes measures for Enology and Viticulture courses.
Work with other institutions to produce and maintain articulation agreements and international opportunities for students.
Develop and maintain relationships with enology and viticulture programs at baccalaureate institutions.
Foster and maintain strong working relationships with local and regional wineries, industry experts, students, alumni and college staff.
Work with the wine industry on issues relevant to program planning, promotion and evaluation.
Stay current with the latest scientific advances, techniques and technology in winemaking and winery management, incorporating that information into academic curriculum as appropriate.
Develop programs for recruiting and maintaining enrollment.
Participate in department, division and College committee and activities.
Engage with deans and directors of other WWCC programs to further the strategic goals of the college.
Develop and manage an annual plan and budget for the Enology and Viticulture program and teaching winery known as College Cellars.
Direct, manage, and oversee all winemaking functions.
Interface with administration on management issues of College Cellars and wine production.
Participate in industry activities and maintain positive relationships as they relate to the Enology and Viticulture program.
Maintain all winery compliance records required at the local, state and federal levels.
Collaborate with other WWCC departments including the Executive Leadership Team, Business Services, and the Foundation.
Attend and actively participate in Advisory Committee meetings.
Supervise Enology & Viticulture department staff and maintain a healthy working environment.
Competencies: Instructional skills including project-based learning and hands on instruction styles.
Exceptional interpersonal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships with students, the college, community, and industry.
Effective leadership and management skills/strong organizational and communication abilities.
Ability to understand and make data-based business management decisions to ensure the fiscally responsible operation of the winery.
Ability to recognize the value of cultural, ethnic, gender and other individual differences in people.
Required Qualifications: Bachelors Degree in related field required.
Industry experience may substitute for education at the discretion of the college.
Experience in the wine industry required.
Desired Qualifications: Masters degree in related field.
Ten years of wine industry experience.
College level instruction experience.
Business management experience.
Bilingual in Spanish.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Responsible for all aspects of the Enology & Viticulture degree program, including instruction, student advising, student career placement insights, and curriculum development/updates.
Responsible for all wine making operations including oversight of the production winery, estate vineyards, and business operations of College Cellars.
Supervise all Enology & Viticulture staff and instructors.
Budget Authority: Oversee and manage all the budgets for the Enology & Viticulture degree program and College Cellars.
Work Environment/Physical Demands/Travel Required: This position requires physically demanding labor to perform and assist with winemaking functions in the cellar and estate vineyards.
Periodic travel may be required for industry collaboration and professional development.