Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry. Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

Responsible for planning, coordinating, detailing and servicing special events at McCormick Place. These events include conventions, corporate functions, meetings and galas.

This role will pay a yearly salary of $75,000 to $82,000.

For FT roles: Benefits: Health, Dental and Vision insurance, 401(k) savings plan, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation days, sick days, and 11 holidays).

This position will remain open until May 16, 2025.

McCormick Place located in downtown Chicago is the largest and most flexible convention center in North America., With over 2.6 million square feet of exhibition space, the campus proudly hosts some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conventions, meetings, and trade shows, welcoming approximately 3 million visitors to Chicago every year.

Major Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, coordinating, detailing and servicing special events (i.e. conventions, corporate functions, meetings and Gala’s) at McCormick Place.
• Generate revenue and provide excellent personal service to our internal and external guests mainly focusing on Show Management as clients.
• Coordinates and leads sales and booking process to align with Show Management and exhibitor schedule
• Seeks opportunities for additional sales and events based on show schedule and traffic flow not exclusive of catered events
• Ability to customize creative menu and event solutions
• Solid understanding of financials when creating and customizing menus and meeting packages
• Aids in expanding the web of influence with the client organization and Show Management team
• Develop and maintain communication line with OVG Hospitality operations. Keeps all event details current and staff informed
• Give site inspections as needed
• Assist OVG 360 sales team with booking new and repeat business by doing outside sales visits, networking events, attending trade shows and travel.
• Ability to develop and enhance existing programs with new and innovative culinary ideas for clients at McCormick Place
• Ability to negotiate, influence and sell to all clients.
• Create requests for cash concession outlets when needed
• Generate catering contracts and establish payment arrangements in compliance with accounting department guidelines
• Provide detailed event analysis to support, maintain and/or improve company goals and guest satisfaction
• Continuously interact with clients through duration of shows
• Ensure a successful client event by partnering with OVG Hospitality operations team to meet food standards, room set up and on-time service with the result of client satisfaction.
• Resolve any client concerns quickly and professionally
• Update and maintain file information for repeat events with total Food & Beverage revenues and client relations
• Update all details of the events to operations staff
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Education and/or Experience                                                  

• 5+ years of experience in the Catering field
• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or three years related experience and/or training
• A general understanding of the hospitality and Food and Beverage industry
• Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and planning skills
• Strong hospitality orientation
• Maintains good hygiene and neat professional appearance
• Knowledge of Spreadsheet and Word Processing software, and the ability to learn new programs as needed
• Ability to work with limited supervision and will require the ability to interact with all levels of staff including management
• Requires ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and holidays, in addition to normal business hours
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary to sell, plan, and negotiate
• Needs to be an independent self-starter that thrives in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment
• An interest in environmental causes and sustainability a plus

At OVG, we understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. Our success is rooted in creating environments that reflect and celebrate the diverse communities in which we operate and serve, and this is the reason we are committed to amplifying voices from all different backgrounds.

Oak View Group is committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.