Allium Venue Sales Manager

Description

Job Title: Allium Venue Sales Manager

Department: Allium Venue, Larkin Hall

FLSA: Exempt

Status: Full-time

Reports to: COO

Customary Days: Monday - Friday

Customary Hours: 40 hours per week; varies to include evenings, holidays, and extended hours as business requires

Position Summary:

The Allium Venue Sales Manager is responsible for driving the overall sales performance, growth, and market positioning of Allium at Larkin Hall. This role leads venue sales and business development efforts, with accountability for achieving revenue goals, maximizing venue utilization, building strong sales pipeline, and cultivating lasting client and community relationships.

Serving as a key business leader and brand ambassador for Allium, the Venue Sales Manager oversees the client journey from initial inquiry through event completion and partners across Blue Plate to delivery exceptional experiences. This role combines sales leadership, business acumen, and hospitality while championing our We Care More culture and positioning Allium as a premier Chicago event destination.

Essential Functions:

Sales & Growth Strategy

- Lead Allium’s sales efforts: prospecting, networking, conducting site visits, negotiating contracts, and closing new business.
- Drive venue programming strategies (corporate events, social gatherings, community partnership, and programing) to increase utilization during off-peak periods.
- Collaborate with Marketing to position Allium as Chicago’s premier venue through campaigns, media, and community engagement.
- Build and maintain relationships with clients, vendors, and local business associations to drive repeat and referral business.

Business & Financial Leadership

- Own Allium’s P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, and profitability management.
- Develop and execute annual business and sales plans with measurable revenue and utilization goals.
- Analyze KPIs (sales pipeline, occupancy, event profitability, labor %), providing monthly reporting and course-correction as needed.
- Partner with Finance to monitor costs, manage contracts, and ensure accurate billing and collections.

Operational Excellence

- Oversee Blue Plate, the caterer delivers flawless execution of events, maintaining the highest guest service standards.
- Develop and enforce SOPs for event operations, safety, and client service.
- Partner with Blue Plate Facilities to ensure preventive maintenance and readiness of Allium’s venue.
- Ensure compliance with city and state requirements (liquor license, fire safety, ADA, public assembly permits).

Leadership & Team Development

- Supervise the Venue Operations Supervisors.
- Lead, mentor, and coach the team, ensuring high performance, accountability, and continuous professional development.
- Partner with HR to implement employee training, recognition, and engagement programs.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, excellence, and guest-centered service.

Client Experience & Brand Representation

- Act as the face of Allium with clients, partners, and the Fulton Market community.
- Monitor client satisfaction, address feedback promptly, and implement service improvements.
- Champion our core value Care More by ensuring an exceptional guest experience at every event.
- Serve as the escalation point for client issues, vendor disputes, or emergency situations.

Requirements

Education and Experience: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

- Bachelor’s degree. Hospitality or related industry preferred.
- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in hospitality/venue/event management.
- Proven success in driving revenue growth, P&L ownership, and strategic planning.
- Experience managing both sales and operations teams in large-scale venues.
- Comprehensive knowledge of off-site catering and event operations.
- Basic knowledge of financial management disciplines includes but not limited to gross profitability, budget design and management, financial analysis, and return on investment.

Essential Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Allium is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

- Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and support systems in a rapidly growing company.
- Proven leadership with the ability to inspire others to work toward a common goal and reach their potential.
- Ability to identify and resolve issues and alert executive leadership to potential areas of liability.
- Ability to function independently and intuitively in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare and deliver clear, concise reports and presentations that are understandable by the target audience.
- Highly organized; strong attention to detail.
- Demonstrated initiative; results-oriented and entrepreneurial-minded.
- Strong project management experience and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to interact with diverse groups and foster a cooperative work environment.
- Ability to manage confidential information and maintain its integrity.
- Strong computer skills that include proficiency with MS Office applications and CRM software.

Language Skills

Ability to read, write and speak English proficiently. Bilingual skills preferred.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Allium is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

- Occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs & ladders; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
- Regularly required to lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
- Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Allium is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA):

- May work in extreme heat and cold (non-weather and weather).
- May work in wet conditions (non-weather and weather).
- The noise level is moderate to loud.
- May work near toxic/caustic chemicals and with fumes or airborne particles.
- Will work near moving or mechanical parts.

Compensation and Benefits

- Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000 annually
- Bonus Potential: This role is eligible for a bonus potential

At Allium, we live our core value: We Care More by offering a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to supporting our team’s well-being and growth. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k)-retirement plan, and paid time off (PTO) with sick leave. Additional perks such as commuter benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), free meals, and pet insurance options ensure our team feels valued. We also offer wellness rewards, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and resources to help you thrive in work and life.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility at Allium

At Allium, We Care More — and that means creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered. Our hiring practices focus on equity and potential, and we partner with diverse communities to ensure opportunities are accessible to all. From onboarding to growth, we offer tailored support and inclusive development programs. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to help us create memorable food and service experiences — together, we go beyond to make a difference.

Allium complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment, including protections related to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.