Project Manager, Hospitality

IMI Agency•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

IMI Agency is seeking a client-focused, driven, organized, and analytical Project Manager to join their team. This individual will work closely with IMI's Director of Accounts to support several hospitality client accounts across the concessionaire, lodging, cruise line, and dining segments. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional organizational and communication skills, demonstrate a polished and professional demeanor, and be comfortable presenting to both internal and external stakeholders. This role requires advanced proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and prior experience working as an on-premises operator within the hospitality industry. Experience in project management and bar operations is highly preferred. Candidates located in the Chicagoland area are strongly preferred. The Project Manager will perform a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to high-level administrative support, coordination and planning of client programs, industry activities, and events, data research and analytics, and assisting in the development and execution of program strategies. This individual will support client beverage programs by managing supplier relationships, compiling and analyzing purchase data, assisting with the development and tracking of beverage promotions and limited-time offers, and supporting other marketing initiatives designed to drive customer satisfaction, quality service, and compliance with corporate and franchise standards. The Project Manager will also serve as a liaison for internal and external communications and assist in the execution of creative materials. Additional responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating RFP processes, training, on-site and virtual meetings, presentations, and other cross-functional projects as needed.

Requirements

Strong organizational skills working with multiple clients, stakeholders, and team members; utilizing digital notes.
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field, or equivalent working experience
Experience in Hospitality, Supply Chain Beverage Program, or Event Planning, activations, and/or training in On-Premises Operations is a must
Baseline knowledge of the alcoholic beverage categories and industry. related products, and/or the three-tiered system
Successful track record of complete high-level Project Management duties
Proficient level of experience collecting and analyzing data; experience creating or following program metrics to measure results is a plus
Understanding of on-premises beverage performance
Creative experience implementing beverage promotions
Experience in maintaining a database for budgets and records of expenditures; reported frequently
Experience communicating effectively with all levels of management, including high-level stakeholders
Speaks and writes clearly and concisely
Able to work with different management styles as needed
Takes initiative and is a part of the solution to issues and problems that arise
The ability to multitask, handling several projects simultaneously and efficiently
High-energy interpersonal skills and a professional demeanor
High proficiency in all Microsoft Office Applications (i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) is a must
Excellent organizational, in-person/virtual presentation, and time management skills
Ability to prioritize work assignments and work under minimal direction
Hospitable, with a service-prone, client-first mentality
Follow-up and follow-through must be your mantra

Nice To Haves

Project management experience is a plus
Alcohol beverage knowledge-related products, and the three-tiered system
Event management, hosting, coordination, and planning,
Food and Beverage marketing development, and data analysis
Food and Beverage operations
Beverage supplier or distributor sales analysis

Responsibilities

Assist, manage, and organize client-supplier relations, marketing, and promotional programming, and distributor buying programs for the client’s United States locations under the beverage program.
Assist with supplier invoicing and collection.
Assist in planning small and large-scale meetings and conferences, including coordinating and selecting locations, agendas, workshops, food & beverage, etc., as assigned.
Help gather information and trends on alcoholic beverages for the client’s beverage programs and core mandates for the Director of Accounts and other Account Team members as assigned.
Become a trusted partner and liaise for Account Managers and Directors; working with designers and developers to identify and define project scopes, objectives, and requirements, ensuring alignment with IMI and client(s) organizational goals.
Coordination of internal and external resources, defining budgets and schedules.
Assist in gathering property compliance data and support the client’s properties.
Assist with ensuring beverage program regulatory compliance from federal, state, and local by working with the Director of Accounts.
Assist with providing clients with analytics regarding program purchasing compliance.
Assist in the ideation and execution of promotions and ideas to capture in-house guests.
Assist with beverage menus by working with internal and external creative teams.
Report project results and management risk – escalating issues as needed based on the project plans.
Prioritize tasks and assignments, ensuring all responsibilities are completed in a timely and efficient manner.
Accurately track and report beverage developments and implementations.
Consistently follow up on assignments and projects to ensure timely delivery and execution.
Perform any other assignments as directed.