Head of Spirits

Head of Spirits

London Full-Time 72000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead brand strategy and execution for top Spirits brands in the UK.
  • Company: Join Moët Hennessy, a leader in luxury Wines and Spirits with a commitment to sustainability.
  • Benefits: Enjoy unique career journeys, skill development, and a diverse, inclusive work environment.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of luxury Spirits while making a social impact.
  • Qualifications: Strong leadership, creativity, and experience in spirits marketing are essential.
  • Other info: WSET certification or relevant experience is a plus; thrive in a dynamic, innovative culture.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ per year.

JOB MISSION:

The Head of Spirits mission is to create long-term value for the Spirits Brands (Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Belvedere, Volcan, Whistle Pig, Eminente and Sir Davis) in the UK by implementing elevated, consumer-centric, and locally relevant brand strategies, as well as championing executional excellence of all programming and activations in line with the Maison’s vision and guidelines and MHUK’s business goals.

The primary focus of this role is to build Spirits into a strong second pillar for MHUK. They will be a key member of the wider UK Marketing Community, leveraging their strong spirits background to inspire, whilst leading the Spirits brand team. They will at all times act as Brand Ambassador vis-a-vis trade partners, press, VIPs and other friends of the brand.

STRATEGY

  • Lead the development of clear annual brand plan/5-year plans, defining strategic choices to meet brand and business targets and in line with Maison (global) strategy. Support choices with defined KPI’s.
  • Manage brand portfolio strategies by developing appropriate synergies & differentiation.
  • Establish strong relationships with Maison & Global Spirits teams to influence Maison strategies and global agenda to further support the UK strategic direction.
  • Ensure strong understanding of target consumers, market dynamics, competitive landscape & strategic channels & key customers.
  • Together with Head of Communications, build the role brands play in UK culture to ensure impact and resonance.
  • Ownership of the brands P&L. Understand and respond to the drivers of brand performance, working with Commercial & Finance teams to define the strategy and deliver strong commercial plans.
  • Collaborate with Sales & Finance team set channel objectives ensuring the brands distribution across all strategic channels and customers in the UK, identifying growth areas.
  • Work with Commercial Planning & RGM teams to identify strong revenue and profit opportunities.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

  • Collaborate with Insights team to maintain ongoing awareness of brand health, consumer insights, trends, category data (IWSR, CGA etc.) disseminating insights into action and sharing with key stakeholders to inform strategies and activations.
  • Monitor brand performance using sales, financial, market and consumer data and recommend appropriate action.
  • Own marketing performance versus KPIs, ensuring effective evaluation of activity to achieve expected ROI, identifying learnings and future optimisations.
  • Support Brand Managers in management of A&P budget on a monthly & quarterly basis to land on target at year end.
  • Fulfil all internal reporting requirements. Work with Sales, RGM & Finance teams to deliver insightful business reviews with Maison/MH Central.

PROGRAMMES/BRAND ACTIVATION

  • Be the go-to person for consumer activations targeting the consumer of Spirits brands.
  • Support brand teams to deliver elevated local experiences using 360 thinking, that resonate the brand DNA and purpose, inspired by global brand platforms.
  • Support brand teams to, together with sales, develop channel-relevant and consumer-centric activities that drive rate of sale/support key visibility opportunities of the highest quality execution.
  • Be accountable for the brand team’s delivery of exceptional experiences. Delivering excellence from concept creation to agency briefing, implementation and evaluation.
  • Ensure timely delivery of programmes, within agreed budget and to the expected level of excellence in accordance with brand values.

TEAM/STAKEHOLDERS

  • Manage and develop the Spirits team. Recognise individual and team contributions, develop people, and transmit savoir-faire.
  • Empower people through the embodiment of MH values.
  • Establish and maintain a solid, trustworthy relationship with key Maison, MH Central & MHEMEA stakeholders.
  • Manage excellent working relationships with all cross-functional teams and external agencies to ensure timely excellence in delivery of projects and follow-up on reporting of performance and key learnings.

OTHER

  • In support of the Marketing & Communications Director, collaborate with the wider marketing team to ensure marketing strategies are integrated and aligned with Company business objectives.
  • Actively contribute to the Marketing Steerco at MHUK.
  • Regularly spend time in trade, building relationships with influential industry individuals and key accounts.

Languages:

Fluent English

Professional experience:

Strong experience with a broad view of spirits marketing (minimum 10 years of experience)
Previous experience in the UK drinks industry, and or/luxury industry in strategic and operational roles
Track record in management and development of teams.

Personal & interpersonal skills:

Strong leadership skills, thriving on challenges.
Passionate, creative and with drive for innovation
Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills and experience collaborating with multiple internal and external teams and navigating cultural differences.
Strong organisational skills & attention to detail.
Proactive and solution driven, a mindset which sees and seizes opportunities for the brands.
Able to adapt to the ever-changing environment with strong sense of perseverance & resilience.

Technical & professional skills:

Numerate and commercially aware
Financial & business acumen
Digitally savvy
WSET Spirits Level 2/3, or relevant sommelier/trade experience, is a plus.

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Head of Spirits employer: Moët Hennessy

At Moët Hennessy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and professional growth. Our commitment to sustainability through the Living Soils Living Together program reflects our dedication to creating a better world for future generations. As the Head of Spirits, you will have the unique opportunity to lead innovative brand strategies in the UK while collaborating with a diverse team, all within the prestigious environment of LVMH's Wines and Spirits Division.
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Contact Detail:

Moët Hennessy Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Spirits

Tip Number 1

Make sure to showcase your strong leadership skills and experience in the spirits industry. Highlight any previous roles where you successfully led teams or projects, as this will resonate with our focus on building a strong brand team.

Tip Number 2

Familiarize yourself with our brands and their unique identities. Understanding the nuances of Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Belvedere, and others will help you demonstrate your passion and ability to create consumer-centric strategies that align with our vision.

Tip Number 3

Network within the industry and engage with trade partners, press, and VIPs. Building relationships in advance can give you insights into the market dynamics and competitive landscape, which are crucial for the Head of Spirits role.

Tip Number 4

Stay updated on current trends in the spirits market and be prepared to discuss how you would leverage these insights to drive brand performance. Your ability to analyze data and recommend actions will be key in this role.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Spirits

Strategic Planning
Brand Management
Market Analysis
Consumer Insights
Financial Acumen
Performance Management
Leadership Skills
Interpersonal Communication
Project Management
Creativity and Innovation
Attention to Detail
Collaboration Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Digital Savviness
WSET Spirits Level 2/3 or equivalent experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Brand: Before you start writing your application, take some time to understand Moët Hennessy and its brands. Familiarize yourself with their values, mission, and the specific Spirits brands you'll be working with. This knowledge will help you tailor your application to align with their vision.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in the spirits industry, particularly any leadership roles or brand management experience. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Showcase Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to develop and implement strategic plans. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed brand portfolios or driven growth in previous roles. Use metrics to quantify your impact whenever possible.

Emphasize Interpersonal Skills: Given the importance of collaboration in this role, highlight your interpersonal communication skills. Share examples of how you've worked effectively with cross-functional teams and built strong relationships with stakeholders in your previous positions.

How to prepare for a job interview at Moët Hennessy

Showcase Your Strategic Vision

Prepare to discuss your approach to developing brand strategies. Highlight your experience in creating annual and five-year plans, and be ready to share specific examples of how you've met brand and business targets in the past.

Demonstrate Your Market Knowledge

Familiarize yourself with the UK spirits market, including key consumers, trends, and competitive dynamics. Be prepared to discuss how you would leverage this knowledge to build strong brand strategies that resonate locally.

Highlight Leadership and Collaboration Skills

As a Head of Spirits, you'll need to lead a team and collaborate with various stakeholders. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams and worked cross-functionally to achieve common goals.

Emphasize Your Passion for Innovation

Moët Hennessy values creativity and innovation. Be ready to discuss how you've driven innovative projects in the past and how you plan to bring fresh ideas to the Spirits brands under your leadership.

Head of Spirits
Moët Hennessy
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  • Head of Spirits

    London
    Full-Time
    72000 - 100000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-03-10

  • M

    Moët Hennessy

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