Counter Worker | Part-Time | McCormick Place Convention Center

Oak View Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 32,959 - 46,941; Full time

Job summary

Oak View Group (OVG) is seeking a Counter Worker to provide fast, friendly service in a union-backed environment at McCormick Place in Chicago. You will serve guests, coordinate with cooks and other counters, and maintain cleanliness and sanitation across shifts.

The role involves standing for long periods, lifting heavy trays, and ensuring orders are prepared accurately and promptly. Compensation is hourly under the CBA, with shift flexibility required.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate concepts clearly to guests and team members.
• Capacity to work in a fast-paced, guest-facing environment.
• Must be able to stand, walk, and lift items during shifts.

Responsibilities

• Understand and communicate OVG concepts to guests.
• Set up area before shift start and ensure equipment is ready.
• Greet all customers warmly and maintain professional demeanor.
• Keep work areas clean, neat, dry, and organized.
• Ensure food is served at proper temperatures and with correct utensils.
• Accept no tips per policy and maintain security of personal belongings.
• End shift by cleaning and resetting area for next staff.

Skills

Scheduling flexibility

Urgency

Rapport

Multi-tasking

Professionalism

Lifts heavy trays

Stand for long shifts

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Restaurant experience

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

The Counter Worker is responsible for providing fast, efficient, and friendly service at all times while keeping within the theme of our concepts. A counter server must have full working knowledge of all menu items being served in their assigned area. The counter server needs to be able to communicate with the cooks and other counters or leads to quickly and efficiently process a guest's order.

This role pays an hourly rate of $29.27 - $29.47 (per CBA).

Benefits As Per The Union Agreement.

This position will remain open until October 23, 2026.

About The Venue

McCormick Place Convention Center, the largest and most versatile convention facility on the continent. Located along Chicago's stunning lakefront and minutes from downtown, our facility offers over 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. McCormick Place, consisting of four state-of-the-art buildings, is perfect for conferences, trade shows, corporate events, and exhibitions of any size. With top-tier amenities, cutting-edge infrastructure, and views of Chicago's skyline, McCormick Place delivers a world-class event experience.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions

• Understand and effectively communicate OVG concepts and our philosophies and be able to relate them to our guests.
• Have your area set up and ready to go prior to the starting times. Make sure all equipment is turned on and achieving proper temperatures.
• All customers, both internal and external, should be greeted with a warm, courteous manner and with a smile.
• Keep work areas clean, neat, dry, and organized at all times.
• Always act and speak in a professional manner.
• Be able to work in any location.
• Ensure that hot food is hot, and cold food is cold.
• Use proper utensils and equipment when preparing menu items.
• Maintain proper cleaning and sanitation standards.
• Always thank the guest.
• Accepting tips is expressly prohibited, and as a result, tip money should never be accepted.
• Personal belongings such as, but not limited to, a purse, wallet, change purse, calculator, and/or gym bag may not be brought to the workstation. The only exception is a transparent purse issued by the linen room.
• At the end of the shift, ensure that the area is clean and prepared for the next shift.

Qualifications

Skills Required

• Must be flexible with scheduling, have a sense of urgency, develop rapport with customers, multi-task, and be sharp with a professional personality.
• Lifts and transports heavy service trays.
• Ability to stand in one location for the entire shift.
• Frequently reaches, lifts, stoops, bends, and cleans to maintain the service area.

Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent. (i.e., GED)
• Some experience working within a restaurant location

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.