Premium Manager | Full-Time | University of Illinois Athletics

Oak View Group

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.

Position Summary

The Premium Manager is responsible for the overall management of all suites, clubs, and catering activity and will provide management assistance to the concession managers in the profitable management of concessions operations, as needed. The Suites & Premium Manager will actively supervise, coach, counsel, direct, train and mentor employees in meeting company quality standards, and will promote a positive, enthusiastic and cooperative work environment. The Suites & Premium Manager coordinates suite level activities at the venue into a team effort that contributes to the successful execution of all events. The Suites & Premium Manager enforces all OVG hospitality personnel and operating policies and procedures. The Suites & Premium Manager plans, organizes, and executes the service requirements of each event and determines all scheduling and product components required to properly service events within budgetary guidelines. 

The Premium Manager will actively supervise, coach, counsel, direct, train and mentor employees in meeting company quality standards, and will may initiate or recommend employment actions such as hiring, termination, suspension, discipline, promotion and transfer.  The Suites & Premium Manager will provide oversight and resolution responsibility for employee performance issues. Actively and independently manage all aspects of employee relations to ensure a positive, harmonious, compliant and cooperative work environment. The employee must maintain excellent attendance and be available to work a variable event-driven schedule including evenings and weekends.  Flexible availability, professional presentation, outstanding interpersonal skills, self-direction and strong technical (computer and POS) aptitude are required.  

This position is also responsible for generating, managing and coordinating outside catering sales, as well as initiating, directing and implementing marketing functions in the Catering Department. The Sales Manager will independently manage and oversee all aspects of full group operations from reservation, through contract negotiation and finalization, to group reception and event catering.

This role pays an annual salary of $55,000-$75,000 and is bonus eligible.

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 27, 2025.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall effective management of Catering, Suites, & Club operations/service, as well as Team Meals (if applicable).
• Management of suite level services to ensure a high level of suite holder satisfaction in all pertinent areas
• Ensures total compliance with all alcohol service policies.  
• Monitors alcohol service throughout event to assure 100% compliance with Alcohol Service policies.
• Reports any alcohol service or compliance issues to OVG Hospitality management immediately.
• Provides on-going training, development, mentoring and supervision of hourly employees.
• Responsible for completing documentation of employee performance and attendance issues in accordance with company policy and practice.
• Assists in troubleshooting technical problems with Point of Sale Systems, from both a hardware and software perspective.
• Generates event employee schedules and verifies employee time for Premium Services.
• Management & Oversight of catered events from set-up to tear down, including handling all communication with hourly staff, culinary staff and guests.
• Responsible for all aspects of Training Table Operations.
• Ensures staff is briefed on event requirements and assigned to a specific area prior to events.  
• Enforces all OVG and venue policies and procedures as they relate to guest satisfaction, quality standards, uniform policy, cash handling, operating procedures, and quality presentation.
• Ensures all policies and procedures regarding accounting and cash handling practices are followed.
• Conducts a walk-through of suites, clubs, and pantry areas after completion of the event to ensure all areas are clean.
• Generates event employee schedules and verifies employee time for the Premium Department.
• Assists in development of other business activities, community participation in appropriate groups and all other assignments as directed by the General Manager.
• Responsible for all financial reporting related to the premium department.
• Build relationships by networking and prospecting with key decision markers, establish and develop strong and effective relationships with influencers through the use of professional, courteous and ethical interpersonal interaction.
• Coordinate and deliver effective sales presentations.
• Independently sources, identifies, and pursues outside networking opportunities through professional industry resources and community events, or special events attended by prospects.
• Responsible for negotiating, authoring, and submitting finalized contracts and BEOs to Client and Internal Staff.
• Address or coordinate all Catering requirements and requests in a timely and helpful manner.
• Maintain accurate records for all Catering sales activities in conjunction.
• Communicate daily with culinary staff, catering staff, and Operations Staff about the needs of our guests and their expectations.
• Maintain an extensive client database for follow-up sales calls and contact (in person, phone, email, mail, etc).
• Assist with follow-up of guests’ experience at the venue, ensuring that all issues have been addressed.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of catered events as directed.
• Serves as primary group and convention contact once the contract is signed; approves any inventory or other changes, responds to questions or concerns in a timely manner.
• Assists with oversight of accounts receivable in conjunction with assigned events.

Qualifications

• Associates degree from an accredited college/university/school required (4+ years of progressive facility / food & beverage operations management experience can be substituted for this requirement).
• Minimum 3-5 Years of Management experience in premium / catering / suites / banquets.
• Minimum 3+ Years Experience with Menu costing & development.
• Minimum 3-5 Years of Management experience in food service at a Sports & Entertainment venue (Stadiums, Arenas, etc).
• Familiar with inventory cost control and menu planning.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (365, preferred): E-mail, Excel, Word, Outlook, Schedule+.
• Working knowledge of Point of Sale and timekeeping systems.
• Cash handling abilities; basic math skills including significant number manipulation.
• Ability to work a variable work schedule (including evenings and weekends, as required), depending upon event and business requirements.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail and coordinate various activities simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate with employees, co-workers, NFP volunteers, and business contacts in a courteous and professional manner.
• Able to be self-directed in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Working knowledge of employee scheduling in a hospitality environment.
• Valid Food Handler’s certificate.
• Valid Alcohol Service Permit.

Strengthened by our Differences. United to Make a Difference

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.