Why Work at Hotel 55 Chicago?

At Hotel 55 Chicago, we don’t just offer jobs—we cultivate careers in a vibrant environment that celebrates creativity, inclusivity, and hospitality at its finest. Located just steps from the Magnificent Mile, our boutique hotel is a cultural destination that seamlessly blends contemporary art, thoughtful service, and inspired design.

With 297 stylish guest rooms and the locally beloved Lure Fishbar, Hotel 55 offers an experience unlike any other. Whether you’re welcoming guests, curating moments in public spaces, or elevating the dining experience, every role at Hotel 55 contributes to something unforgettable.

If you’re passionate about art, hospitality, and making a difference—this is where your story begins.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Group Sales Manager is responsible for booking and groups that guest room needs only or guestrooms with meeting space.

Group Sales Managers are responsible for meeting budgeted revenue goals while exceeding customer satisfaction; understanding and anticipating customer needs and building strong relationships to ensure increased repeat business; soliciting new business opportunities, answering client questions, closing business and handling walk-in customers to achieve or exceed activity goals.

This position requires an energetic, detail-oriented person with a passion for providing 5-star service, a flexible can-do attitude along with excellent communication skills to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

Always provide the highest quality of service to the customer. Quick and timely responses to all calls, emails and leads (no later than 24 hours).

Solicit and secure business for Hotel through a proactive, focused sales approach using all available technology to identify comp set accounts, new customers in the market while continuing to saturate existing accounts. Must be able to fill schedule with continuous stream of customer contacts on property, on location or via the telephone and internet.

Develop strong, professional long term business relationships.

Must have clear understanding of the hotel’s business strategies and goals to determine individual action plans to meet those goals.

Maintain accurate information and revenues in SFAWeb at all times to ensure accurate forecasting.

Create and Maintain neatly organized files with all required and appropriate information.

Attend all BEO meetings and all other departmental meetings set forth by GM or DOSM.

Work closely with Catering Department on operations and event execution.

Be on site to greet all groups upon arrival; onsite and visible to groups throughout the duration of their event – checking to ensure everything is running smoothly and that clients are happy and satisfied.

Follow-up with client after function by phone to ensure customer satisfaction, thank them for the business and to address any possible challenges.

Follow-up with various departments to ensure any necessary feedback is communicated.

Follow through on billing to ensure all monies are collected.

Assist other sales/catering mangers with site inspections as required.

Participate in all property specific customer functions.

Assist with reporting as necessary (monthly location reports, capture rate reporting, annual sales plan, property level account reporting and ad-hoc requests).

Provide sales support during shows, help drive sales initiatives set forth by DOSM with team members and conduct or attend training as needed.

Wear professional attire and always represent hotel to the best of your ability.

Maintain a positive, cooperative work environment between staff and management in accordance with company values.

Additional tasks and responsibilities may be assigned at the discretion of the manager. Furthermore, tasks and responsibilities may be added or revised based on the volume of business and the need for the work to be completed at the present time.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Previous sales experience preferred.

The ability to negotiate, influence, and sell.

Computer savvy – experience with Microsoft Office applications; ability to learn new systems and to abide by format defined by brand standards.

Excellent time management, self-management, and self-motivation. Must be organized with a keen focus on detail.

Ability to maintain composure under pressure.

Possess determination and commitment to achieving financial expectations.

Have deep desire to always produce quality results – taking pride in work.

Flexible schedule to include evenings, weekends and holidays as dictated by business demands.

Demonstrate resilience and flexibility in the face of change.

An innate desire to exceed guest expectations and have an uncompromising approach to service and follow through.

Candidates may be called upon to work extended work weeks, including weekends or holidays, to accommodate a client's needs as well as any functions they are overseeing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the Group Sales Manager is regularly required to move around the facility; to stand for long hours during events; talk and hear.

This position may require work inside or outside of the building, as needed by events; travel as necessary.

This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment. Employment with the Company is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or the Company at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.