General Manager

Description

Allium seeks an entrepreneurial, driven General Manager to make our distinctive Fulton Market venue one of the most sought-after and successful event destinations in Chicago’s West Loop. This is not simply a role managing events already on the calendar but they will create demand, grow venue rental revenue and utilization, originate compelling programming, cultivate relationships across Chicagoland, and ensure an exceptional guest experience.

As Allium’s senior onsite leader, the General Manager owns the venue business plan, financial performance, sales pipeline and day-to-day readiness. Working closely with Blue Plate Sales, Marketing, Culinary, Operations and Facilities, this leader will convert venue opportunities into profitable events and maximize associated catering, beverage and partner revenue. The right candidate brings current leadership experience in a vibrant, actively programmed event venue and a demonstrated record of growing its business.

Essential Functions:

Commercial Leadership, Sales & Financial Performance

• Own Allium’s business plan, venue P&L, annual budget, forecast and profitability; establish and deliver measurable rental revenue and utilization goals, including 2027 targets.
• Personally generate and close venue business through prospecting, site tours, proposals, negotiations, strategic account development and repeat/referral relationships.
• Build and manage a qualified sales pipeline across corporate meetings and receptions, weddings, social celebrations, nonprofit events, conferences and brand activations.
• Develop pricing, packaging and calendar strategies that improve peak-period yield, fill off-peak dates and increase profitable venue usage.
• Partner closely with Blue Plate Sales to maximize catering revenue and beverage/alcohol sales for each appropriate event, with clear handoffs, and coordinated proposals.
• Identify, negotiate and manage appropriate preferred-vendor, referral and commission opportunities in alignment with company policy and client transparency.
• Track and report monthly KPIs including venue rental revenue, bookings, event count, utilization, conversion, average event value, catering/beverage opportunity, program profitability and client satisfaction.

Programming & Destination Development

• Conceive, budget, promote in partnership with Marketing, sell and execute original daily, monthly, quarterly and annual programming that builds audience, reputation and revenue.
• Develop a balanced programming calendar spanning business networking, cultural and community gatherings, seasonal experiences, showcases, industry events and other commercially viable activations.
• Own concepts from initial idea through business case, partner outreach, logistics, onsite execution and post-event evaluation; test, refine and scale successful formats.
• Build strategic collaborations with local organizations, brands, planners, businesses and community partners that bring new audiences to Allium.

Business Development, Networking & Marketing Partnership

• Serve as Allium’s visible ambassador and an active, tireless networker across the Chicagoland corporate, hospitality, wedding, meeting-planning and events communities.
• Maintain a structured outreach and networking plan with agreed monthly targets for industry events attended, introductions, qualified leads, referrals and follow-up activity.
• Provide Blue Plate Marketing with market intelligence, programming concepts, content opportunities, sales priorities and performance feedback; collaborate on campaign planning while Marketing leads creative development and execution.
• Build productive relationships with destination organizations, neighborhood associations, property managers, meeting planners, corporate decision-makers and industry partners.

Venue Operations, F&B & Guest Experience

• Oversee venue operations, ensuring consistently polished event readiness, guest service and client communication.
• Manage Food & Beverage Manager, and venue Sales staff.
• Coordinate closely with Blue Plate catering, culinary, and service teams on event planning and execution; understand the operational and commercial drivers of food and beverage programs.
• Establish and maintain venue SOPs, event handoffs, staffing plans, vendor standards, safety procedures and escalation protocols.
• Partner with Blue Plate Facilities on preventive maintenance, venue presentation, equipment readiness and capital needs.
• Support compliance with applicable liquor, fire, accessibility, public assembly, safety and other regulatory requirements in partnership with designated company experts.
• Monitor feedback, resolve escalated concerns and continuously improve client and guest experiences.

People Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coach, develop and hold venue staff accountable for commercial awareness, teamwork and results.
• Work effectively with Blue Plate Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, Culinary and Facilities; clarify ownership and keep stakeholders informed.
• Partner with Finance on reporting, contracts, accurate billing and collections; with HR on training, performance and employee engagement.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Current or recent hands-on management of a vibrant event venue, private events destination or comparable hospitality-driven space with an active calendar of events.
• Approximately 7–10 years of progressive experience in venue, events or hospitality leadership, including significant responsibility for revenue generation and operations.
• Documented success increasing venue bookings, rental revenue, utilization or profitability; ability to explain personal contribution using specific results.
• Demonstrated experience originating and delivering recurring and seasonal programming—not only executing client-booked events.
• Strong sales, negotiation, relationship-building and business-development skills, with an established network or a credible plan to build one quickly in Chicagoland.
• Experience with catering, beverage/alcohol sales, event production, staffing and guest-service standards.
• Experience managing budgets, forecasts, P&Ls, KPIs and teams; proficiency with CRM, event management and standard office software.
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business or related discipline preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.

Leadership Attributes

• Entrepreneurial, proactive and resourceful; brings ideas, tests opportunities and follows through from concept to measurable result.
• Comfortable both selling externally and rolling up sleeves onsite; a confident representative of the venue and brand.
• Highly organized, decisive and collaborative; communicates clearly and operates effectively in a fast-moving environment.
• Service-minded, resilient and accountable, with a genuine can-do attitude and strong judgment.

Measures of Success

Performance objectives will be established annually with leadership and may include: venue rental revenue and profitability; number of events and utilization by daypart/season; qualified pipeline and booking conversion; incremental Blue Plate catering and beverage opportunities; original programming cadence and return; partner/referral revenue; networking activity; client satisfaction; and team/operational performance.

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: $85,000-$100,000 annually
• Bonus Potential: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus, subject to company guidelines and achievement of established goals.  

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 an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and resources to help you thrive in work and life.

Allium is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital or parental status, family responsibilities, reproductive health decisions, military or veteran status, criminal history, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are provided as required by law.