Associate Director, WSG Tasting Programs
(Full-time, Europe-based)
About WSG
Wine Scholar Guild (WSG) is redefining how the world learns about wine. Our revolutionary Tasting Programs move beyond technique to explore wine as a cultural object shaped by history, people and place. We believe that tasting is an invitation to engage with wine’s depth and meaning, to think critically and to connect more closely with the stories behind each glass. Equally, the WSG approach invites reflection on the taster as a subject: on how everyone’s senses, memories and interpretations shape the act of tasting itself.
Rooted in an interdisciplinary approach, the WSG Tasting Programs draw on insights from, among others, neuroscience, philosophy, history and the arts. This perspective expands tasting beyond sensory description into a richer understanding of perception, interpretation and connection.
WSG brings together a global network of educators and students who share one aim: to study wine as an expression of humanity and place and to change how it is experienced, discussed and taught.
About This Role
As Associate Director of WSG Tasting Programs, you will be integral in delivering and refining the WSG Tasting Diploma, the flagship program that embodies WSG’s approach to wine tasting. Working alongside the Director of Education, you will co-teach classes, evaluate coursework and support students.
Beyond the Tasting Diploma, the Associate Director will also help shape other programs, bringing the WSG philosophy to a wider community of learners. This role involves close collaboration with WSG’s Education, Marketing and Student Support teams to ensure a seamless student experience. Teaching will take place both online and in person, requiring travel within Europe, the United States and Asia (approximately 10% yearly travel time required).
This position is for an established wine educator ready to drive change in wine education, redefine how people engage with wine and help revolutionize how wine is taught and tasted.
The long-term goal is for this person to grow into the leadership of WSG’s Tasting Programs.
Responsibilities
· Build and/or edit study and teaching materials, ensuring clarity, coherence and alignment with WSG’s tasting philosophy.
· Teach. Deliver and co-teach WSG Tasting Programs both online and in person, including at summits and workshops in Europe, the United States and Asia.
· Assess and mentor. Evaluate student work, provide feedback and support students as they strengthen their tasting skills and understanding.
· Develop educational materials. Create a variety of educational materials, including videos, assignments, eLearning modules and other supporting resources.
· Review and improve. Regularly review and improve existing programs, ensuring they stay accurate, innovative and up to date with contemporary theories of learning.
· Shape future programs. Contribute to the design and development of new tasting programs and pathways that extend WSG’s vision globally.
· Train and oversee educators. Recruit and mentor new instructors worldwide and help coordinate the growth of WSG's Tasting Programs.
· Collaborate across teams. Work across all internal WSG teams to ensure a consistent and effective student experience.
· Event organization. Oversee event organization and coordination for in-person summits.
· Grow into leadership. Build the experience and perspective required to take on future leadership of the WSG Tasting Programs.
About You
· A passionate wine educator with a proven track record of success (minimum of 5 years' experience).
· An understanding of contemporary teaching and learning practices, including instructional design and curriculum development and design.
· An excellent taster with advanced wine knowledge (WSET Diploma, MW, MS, or equivalent).
· An interdisciplinary thinker who can link ideas from multiple academic fields (e.g., history, philosophy or neuroscience) to deepen discussion and learning in wine, ideally with a higher degree in one such field.
· Ready to be a catalyst for change in the wine tasting space.
· Detail-oriented and organized, with an ability to manage several ongoing projects at once.
· Technologically confident, with experience using digital education and collaboration tools such as Teams, Zoom, Moodle, Articulate Rise and Genially.
· Based in Europe and fluent in English.
· Willing to travel internationally.