Senior Sommelier / Assistant General Manager

Aria Restaurant | Atlanta, Georgia

At Aria, we believe great restaurants are built on more than exceptional food. They are built on genuine hospitality, thoughtful service, and people who care deeply about creating memorable experiences for every guest.

For more than 25 years, Aria has been one of Atlanta’s most respected fine dining restaurants. Our commitment to hospitality and wine has earned national recognition as a two-time James Beard Award finalist for Outstanding Hospitality and recipient of Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence . Closer to home, Aria has long been recognized by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Southern Living as one of the South’s premier dining destinations.

Today, under Owner Andrés Loaiza and Executive Chef Austin Goetzman, Aria continues to evolve while remaining true to the values that have defined the restaurant since opening in 2000.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Sommelier / Assistant General Manager to join our leadership team.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to build a career at the intersection of wine, hospitality, and leadership.

You’ll play a key role in shaping every aspect of the guest experience while helping lead one of the Southeast’s most respected wine programs.

About the Role

The Senior Sommelier is responsible for leading Aria’s wine program alongside ownership while serving as a visible leader in the dining room each evening.

You’ll guide guests through one of the Southeast’s most respected wine collections, mentor our service team, oversee nightly operations, and help maintain the standards that have earned Aria national recognition.

This position works closely with the Owner, Executive Chef, Pastry Chef, Bar Team, and management to ensure that every guest receives an exceptional dining experience.

If your passion extends beyond selling wine—if you enjoy teaching, leading people, building relationships with guests, and constantly pursuing excellence—you’ll feel at home here.

Responsibilities

Wine Program

• Provide exceptional, personalized wine service throughout dinner service.
• Maintain expert knowledge of our cellar and evolving wine list.
• Assist with purchasing, receiving, pricing, inventory, and cellar organization.
• Collaborate on new wine selections and ongoing list development.
• Develop wine pairings for seasonal menus and special events.
• Build relationships with distributors, importers, and winemakers.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and presentation of every bottle.

Leadership & Operations

• Serve as Manager on Duty during dinner service.
• Lead the dining room with warmth, confidence, and professionalism.
• Help oversee nightly service, reservations, and guest flow.
• Support servers, food runners, hosts, bartenders, and managers throughout service.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, coaching, and developing front-of-house staff.
• Uphold Aria’s standards of hospitality, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Resolve guest concerns with grace, empathy, and sound judgment.

Team Development

• Lead ongoing wine education for the service team.
• Mentor staff members pursuing beverage knowledge and certifications.
• Help cultivate a culture of curiosity, generosity, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Encourage collaboration between the dining room, bar, and kitchen.

Guest Experience

• Build lasting relationships with regular guests.
• Recognize guest preferences and personalize each experience whenever possible.
• Create memorable moments through thoughtful hospitality rather than scripted service.
• Represent Aria with professionalism both inside and outside the restaurant.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who understands the rhythm, discipline, and mindset required to deliver exceptional hospitality night after night. Ideal candidates have built their careers in restaurants where high standards, teamwork, and the pursuit of excellence are simply part of the culture.

Candidates should have:

• At least three years of experience as a sommelier or beverage leader in a fine dining restaurant.
• Management or supervisory experience in a fine dining restaurant.
• Advanced wine knowledge with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities.
• A calm, confident presence during busy service.
• A genuine passion for mentoring others and leading by example.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Court of Master Sommeliers, WSET, or equivalent certification.
• Experience working in restaurants recognized for their pursuit of excellence in hospitality, cuisine, wine, and service.
• Familiarity with inventory management and beverage purchasing.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Quarterly sales incentive compensation
• Annual performance bonus
• Five-day workweek
• Dinner-only service
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• Paid vacation
• Dining privileges
• Continuing education opportunities
• The opportunity to work alongside one of the country’s most respected hospitality teams

Why Aria?

Being a great sommelier is about far more than what’s in the glass. It’s about understanding people, building relationships, and creating experiences that guests remember long after the evening ends.

At Aria, you’ll have the opportunity to build a career—not just a résumé. You’ll work alongside a leadership team committed to excellence and a team of professionals who challenge one another to grow while supporting one another every step of the way.

Whether your goal is to deepen your knowledge of wine, become a stronger leader, or help shape one of the country’s most respected hospitality programs, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact every single day.

If you’re passionate about wine, hospitality, and the pursuit of excellence—and you’re looking for a restaurant that shares those values—we’d love to meet you.

To Apply

Please submit your résumé along with a brief note introducing yourself and telling us why you’d like to become part of the Aria team.