General Manager

As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.

We are looking for independent thinkers. Those who harness their entrepreneurial spirit so that it breaks preconceived notions. We’re not afraid to forge our own path. That’s why we welcome risk takers and creative spirits alike. No matter your daily role, Sage recognizes that your success is about more than the work you do—it’s really about who you are, which is why we invest in your personal and professional growth. We hope you consider joining us!

Since 1910, The Blackstone has attracted celebrities, socialites, and politicians. Appropriately named “The Hotel of Presidents,” this historic Chicago hotel has hosted several heads of state, from Teddy Roosevelt to Jimmy Carter. The Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts were also frequent visitors, as were such revered icons as Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, and Rudolph Valentino. The hotel also had a notorious streak, favored by legendary mob bosses “Lucky” Luciano and Al Capone.

Proudly situated on Chicago's Cultural Mile, The Blackstone is a stunning destination for today’s astute business or leisure traveler. Modern rooms beckon with immaculate views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park and spacious marble baths. Dining experiences are thoughtful and expertly executed, taking guests on a culinary tour through the bold flavors of Barcelona at Mercat a la Planxa as well as creative craft cocktails in the restaurant's bar and lower lounge. Meeting spaces are poised for your next corporate event or celebration. Just outside our doors, the city calls with its epic art collections, iconic parks, and endless entertainment venues. Explore the offerings of our downtown Chicago luxury hotel below and review our full list of amenities, which include a fitness center, evening in-room dining, and more.

Overall management responsibility for the operation of the hotel including profitability, guest service, product quality, and overall cleanliness and maintenance of the hotel property.  Operation of the hotel will be within the framework of approved 1) annual budget, 2) annual marketing plan, 3) annual capital expenditure plan, 4) annual wage plan, and always within the framework of all Company policies and procedures.

Executive Committee

• Lead the Executive Committee utilizing a participative style: be readily available and effectively communicate with each member, coordinate the operation of each individual's department and special projects, and assist in identifying problems and solutions.
• Guide the committee in dealing with the hotel's problems and opportunities in order to best serve the financial interests of the property.

Operating Budget

• Development of annual operating budget which will serve as an operating plan and define required levels of achievement.
• Assure achievement of annual budget in revenues, costs and profits through accounting diligence and expenditure controls and proficient accounting practices.

Departmental Objectives

• Set written priorities and key objectives for each department head quarterly including action plan and completion date.
• Follow up to assure successful implementation and follow-through and take corrective action in the event of failure to meet assigned objectives.

Forecasting

• Monthly forecasting of operating staff and cost expenditures.
• Business planning in line with forecasted sales and costs including guidance to department heads.

P & L Statement Critique

• Monthly review of financial statement in order to correct problems, assure spending is in line and to plan for future business.
• Review and approve all expenses in "other expense" categories in all departments.
• Regularly review all major expenses to assure that monies are wisely expended.

Staff Relations

• Develop a high level of esprit de corps and loyalty to the hotel and to the company in order to reduce turnover and increase employee morale.
• Communicate, counsel and assist in staff development.
• Be visible and available to all hourly personnel in accordance with the Company's open door policy.
• Attend monthly department employee meetings whenever possible.

Staff Evaluation

• Conduct performance appraisal and personal development plans for management staff.
• Identify substandard performance of individual managers and outline improvement action, including taking corrective or disciplinary measures.

Staff Hiring

• Assure level of experience, knowledge and ability to meet job requirements of all hotel management.
• Cost Controls Review controls and assure adherence at all times in order to protect the hotel's property/assets.

Wage and Salary Administration

• Review all wage and salary increases assuring compliance with wage scales and compensation philosophies as outlined in the Company's management manuals.
• Future Business Quarterly review of future bookings of room nights and banquet sales, early identification of weak periods, implementing yield management practices.

Pricing

• Quarterly review of pricing including review of cost increases and competitive pricing in room rates, restaurant, lounge and banquet areas.
• Assure recommendation and implementation of price increases on a timely basis.

Inspection

• Regular personal inspection of guest rooms, public areas, back of house, banquet function set-ups. Assure that written lists are developed of corrective actions required for implementation by housekeeping, maintenance and operating departments.
• Guest service through leadership and example, establish a friendly, courteous, service-oriented approach to guests that is exhibited by all hotel employees.
• Establish and implement guest service standards for all departments, periodically review, identify problems and corrective actions.

Property Maintenance

• Assure that an on-going program is followed in regular repair and upkeep of the facility, landscape and equipment by developing and implementing a preventive maintenance program.

Marketing Plan

• Development of annual sales and marketing plan.
• Monitor implementation of marketing plan action steps.

Sales Management

• Regular review of sales solicitation activities, room nights productivity and group room rates sold by the sales department.
• Regularly review individual productivity taking corrective action and guiding as needed.
• Evaluate market mix and take action in order to best position the hotel for increased business.
• Involvement in sales solicitation of key accounts by reviewing contracts, meeting with sales department, visit key account contacts in person and by phone.
• Food and Beverage Promotion
• Monitor the success of F&B promotion programs. Take corrective actions as required.
• Monitor sales levels in order to take steps to reverse negative sales trends.

Credit

• Maintain credit policies at Front Office, Sales and Catering.
• Attend credit meetings and assist in developing action plans, supervise collections of major accounts, review of aging reports and approval of write-offs.

Front Office Management

• Regular review of Front Office results in order to maximize room revenue.
• Identify problem areas and initiate solutions.

Community Relations

• Represent the hotel within the local community, positioning the hotel as a good corporate citizen that is involved and supportive of community affairs.

Policies and Procedures

• Assure that all Company policies and procedures are fully implemented throughout the hotel.

Education/Formal Training

A four-year college degree or equivalent education/experience

Experience

Previous experience as General Manager or Assistant General Manager at a similar size and type of hotel, previous experience as Department Head at same facility.

Knowledge/Skills

• Requires advanced knowledge of the hospitality and business management fields.
• Requires considerable working knowledge of other major areas and the skill to integrate and communicate that information.
• Requires studying, analyzing and interpreting complex activities or information in order to improve known practices or develop new approaches.
• Ability to make decisions with only general policies and procedures for guidance and keeping the General Manager informed of general direction.
• Requires highly developed communication skills to frequently negotiate, convince, sell and influence other managerial personnel, hotel guests and/or corporate clients.
• Must have excellent speech and written skills in order to communicate with managers, guests and employees.
• Must have excellent literacy skills necessary for reports, policies and procedures.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must have vision ability in order to visually inspect hotel.
• Must have mobility to walk through the front and the back of the hotel.
• Climbing approximately 20-30 steps 10% of the week.
• Physically able to regularly inspect all areas of interior and exterior of facility.

Environment

General office and hotel environment

Medical, dental, & vision insurance
Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching
Health savings and flexible spending accounts
Basic Life and AD&D insurance
Company-paid short-term disability
Paid FMLA leave for up to a period of 12 weeks
Employee Assistance Program
Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.
Eligible to participate in the Employee Referral Bonus Program. Up to $1,000 per referral.