Sr. Catering Sales Manager| Full Time| McCormick Place Convention Center

Oak View Group•Chicago, IL

8h•$75,000 - $80,000•Onsite

About The Position

Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Position Summary The Sr. Catering Sales Manager is responsible for generating, planning, detailing, and coordinating private and corporate events at McCormick Place. Events include Corporate, Social and/or specific markets as assigned. This role pays an annual salary of $75,000-$80,000 Benefits for Full-Time roles: 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 June 5, 2026. About the Venue McCormick Place Convention Center 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 .

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS).
4-6 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.

Nice To Haves

An interest in environmental causes and sustainability a plus.

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.
Customize creative menu and event solutions.
Solid understanding of financials when creating and customizing menus and meeting packages.
Develop and maintain communication line with OVG Hospitality operations.
Keeps all event details current and staff informed.
Give site inspections as needed.
Assist sales team with booking new and repeat business by doing outside sales visits, networking events, attending trade shows and travel.
Develop and enhance existing programs with new and innovative culinary ideas for clients at McCormick Place.
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.
Practice continuous efforts toward menu upgrades and increased services.
Other projects as assigned by Director of Catering Sales.