Banquet Manager | Full-Time | McCormick Place Convention Center

Oak View Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) with matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Oak View Group (OVG) seeks a Banquet Manager at McCormick Place Convention Center in downtown Chicago. You will monitor and manage all banquet functions and staff, ensuring top quality service and operational standards for events.

This full‑time role offers an annual salary of $65,000–$72,000, plus benefits including health, dental and vision insurance, a 401(k) with matching, and paid time off (vacation, sick days and holidays). The position remains open until October 23, 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food & beverage management or related field.
• 3–5 years of management experience in F&B or equivalent training.
• Experience working in a Union environment is preferred.
• Ability to manage several direct reports in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

Responsibilities

• Oversee all banquet functions and banquet staff during events.
• Follow weekly schedules and coordinate with banquet director.
• Train captains and servers on department standards and procedures.
• Read and interpret Banquet Event Orders (BEO) and manage related requisitions.
• Coordinate with culinary, stewarding and purchasing for timely service.
• Communicate with catering sales, culinary and purchasing to optimize events.

Skills

Team management

Banquet operations

Union experience

Budgeting

Communication

Staff training

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Food & Beverage Management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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

McCormick Place Convention Center has an immediate opening for a Banquet Manager. This position is responsible for monitoring and managing all Banquet functions and Banquet employees at the Convention Center.

This role pays an annual salary of $65,000-$72,000

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 October 23, 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.

Responsibilities

• Follows weekly work schedule as assigned by Banquet Director.
• Oversees captains and banquet servers during events.
• Trains banquet captains and servers on department standards and procedures.
• Reads and understands Banquet Event Orders (BEO)
• Generates requisitions for all the supporting departments, i.e., stewarding, purchasing, warehouse, and laundry.
• Manages all aspects of maintaining existing equipment needed for banquet service by working with stewarding and purchasing.
• Orders all replacement items and equipment.
• Coordinates with Culinary and Stewarding departments on the timing and production of functions.
• Communicates effectively as a liaison between catering and sales, culinary, and purchasing.
• Showcases strong and effective floor operations skills.
• Reads, understands, and interprets the profit and loss statement (P/L).
• Communicates with the Banquet Scheduling Coordinator to make all necessary schedule changes for all functions.
• Meets with Catering Sales Manager to determine proper floor plans, meeting notes, and equipment needs prior to each function.
• Oversees proper presentation, preparation, and service needs in conjunction with all food and beverage departments to ensure the highest standards are met.
• Executes last-minute changes, inspecting service set-ups in time for all staff final calls. It is imperative to hold pre-function meetings to discuss meal, service, table assignments, etc.
• Takes initiative in recommending and implementing new standards or systems with the banquet director's approval.
• Fosters a cooperative and harmonious working climate conducive to maximizing employee morale, thus increasing overall productivity.
• Facilitates Banquet Department meetings with Banquet Managers and Captains to inform them of policy changes, client feedback, etc.
• Interviews, hires, trains, and designates assignments and projects as given by the Banquet Director.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in food & Beverage Management or a related field desired.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience in a management‑level position in Food & Beverage or equivalent training experience.
• Prior experience in a Union environment.
• Ability to function in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment; manage several direct reports.
• Strong computer skills (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).
• Must be flexible, have a sense of urgency, and be able to respond quickly and resourcefully to internal and external issues.
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills.

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.