Operational Support Associate

Q Center; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401(K) with employer match

Employee Meals

Parking

Job summary

Q Center is seeking an Operational Support Associate to maintain meeting space readiness, support Food & Beverage service, and help keep spaces clean and organized. You will perform timely room turns, setups, and breakdowns, while ensuring safety and compliance across operations.

You will engage in guest service, assist with events, and collaborate with Conference Services and other departments to deliver exceptional experiences for clients and guests. Flexible onsite schedule included.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Customer service experience; hospitality, restaurant, or hotel experience preferred
• Current Food Handler certification, or the ability to obtain certification as required

Responsibilities

• Provide professional, courteous, and attentive guest service in accordance with Q Center standards and service expectations
• Maintain a professional and welcoming presence in guest-facing areas
• Respond appropriately to guest questions and requests and direct guests to the appropriate department when additional assistance is needed
• Anticipate guest and operational needs and take initiative to address them when appropriate
• Maintain awareness of guest activity in meeting, public, and dining areas and respond appropriately to needs or concerns
• Complete timely room turns, resets, refreshes, setups, and breakdowns including tables, chairs, equipment, supplies, and other meeting amenities
• Read and follow Banquet Event Orders and room setup requirements to ensure meeting spaces are properly prepared
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and overall presentation of meeting rooms, pre-function areas, and designated storage spaces
• Return equipment, tables, chairs, supplies, and other items to designated storage locations following room breakdowns
• Inspect meeting areas and report maintenance concerns, damaged equipment, or other operational issues to management
• Clear dining room tables promptly and efficiently during and following meal periods
• Remove used dishes, glassware, flatware, napkins, and other dining service items from guest tables and designated areas
• Support efficient dining room service flow through timely table maintenance and clearing
• Remove trash and recyclables from designated meeting, dining, and service areas
• Maintain compliance with Q Center policies, food safety standards, sanitation requirements, and workplace safety procedures
• Follow established procedures for the safe handling, transportation, setup, and storage of equipment and supplies
• Maintain awareness of fire exits, emergency procedures, and other applicable safety requirements
• Identify operational issues proactively and assist with solutions as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with team members and leadership to support smooth daily operations
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, and cross-training opportunities
• Assist with additional operational needs during peak periods, special events, and changing business demands
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with team members across departments
• Report To: Conference Services Manager/Supervisors
• Status: Non-Exempt
• Physical Requirements: Active work environment requiring extended standing and walking; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently
• Rate: $18.00/hr
• Work Schedule: Flexible onsite schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on business demands

Skills

Customer service

Hospitality mindset

Multitasking

Communication

Team player

Safety-conscious

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Food Handler certification

Job description

Who We Are

At Q Center, we create exceptional experiences through seamless execution, operational excellence, and a commitment to service. As a full-service conference and event destination, our success depends on teamwork, flexibility, and attention to detail across every guest and meeting space.

Behind every successful meeting is a team that keeps spaces ready, service areas organized, and operations moving throughout the day. Our Conference Services team works closely with Food & Beverage and other operational departments to ensure meeting and dining spaces are prepared to meet guest and client needs.

If you enjoy hands-on work, hospitality, and being part of a team that keeps the operation running smoothly, this is a role where you can make an immediate impact.

What’s the Role

As an Operational Support Associate, you help maintain meeting space readiness through timely room turns, refreshes, setups, and breakdowns based on client and operational requirements.

You will ensure meeting spaces are clean, organized, properly supplied, and ready for guests throughout the day. During assigned periods, you will also support Food & Beverage operations by clearing and resetting dining room tables, maintaining cleanliness and organization, and helping support an efficient flow of dining service.

What You’ll Do to Be Successful

Guest Service & Hospitality

• Provide professional, courteous, and attentive guest service in accordance with Q Center standards and service expectations
• Maintain a professional and welcoming presence in guest-facing areas
• Respond appropriately to guest questions and requests and direct guests to the appropriate department when additional assistance is needed
• Anticipate guest and operational needs and take initiative to address them when appropriate
• Maintain awareness of guest activity in meeting, public, and dining areas and respond appropriately to needs or concerns

Meeting Space & Operational Support

• Complete timely room turns, resets, refreshes, setups, and breakdowns including tables, chairs, equipment, supplies, and other meeting amenities
• Read and follow Banquet Event Orders and room setup requirements to ensure meeting spaces are properly prepared
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and overall presentation of meeting rooms, pre-function areas, and designated storage spaces
• Return equipment, tables, chairs, supplies, and other items to designated storage locations following room breakdowns
• Inspect meeting areas and report maintenance concerns, damaged equipment, or other operational issues to management

Food & Beverage Support

• Clear dining room tables promptly and efficiently during and following meal periods
• Remove used dishes, glassware, flatware, napkins, and other dining service items from guest tables and designated areas
• Support efficient dining room service flow through timely table maintenance and clearing
• Remove trash and recyclables from designated meeting, dining, and service areas

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain compliance with Q Center policies, food safety standards, sanitation requirements, and workplace safety procedures
• Follow established procedures for the safe handling, transportation, setup, and storage of equipment and supplies
• Maintain awareness of fire exits, emergency procedures, and other applicable safety requirements
• Identify operational issues proactively and assist with solutions as appropriate

Team Support

• Work collaboratively with team members and leadership to support smooth daily operations
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, and cross-training opportunities
• Assist with additional operational needs during peak periods, special events, and changing business demands
• Maintain effective communication and collaboration with team members across departments

Perform Additional Duties And Responsibilities As Assigned

What You Bring

We are seeking a dependable, service-oriented team member who works well in a fast-paced hospitality environment. The ideal candidate is organized, flexible, safety-conscious, and willing to support changing operational needs while maintaining a positive guest experience.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Customer service experience; hospitality, restaurant, or hotel experience preferred
• Current Food Handler certification, or the ability to obtain certification as required

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests, managers, and team members
• Ability to multitask and prioritize responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
• Professionalism and composure during busy service periods
• Initiative and the ability to anticipate guest and operational needs

The Details

• Reports To: Conference Services Manager/Supervisors
• Status: Non-Exempt
• Physical Requirements: Active work environment requiring extended standing and walking; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 pounds occasionally and up to 50 pounds frequently
• Rate: $18.00/hr
• Work Schedule: Flexible onsite schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on business demands

Benefits Include

• Paid time off
• 401(K) with employer match
• Employee Meals
• Parking

Our Commitment

At Q Center, success comes from collaboration, accountability, flexibility, and attention to detail. Every team member plays a role in delivering exceptional experiences for our clients and guests.

As an Operational Support Associate, you will help ensure our meeting and dining spaces remain clean, organized, safe, and ready for service while supporting the teams that keep Q Center operations moving.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

EEO is the Law Supplement Notice Pay Transparency

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to [e-mail] and provide the job title to which you are applying.