As the community center of the University, the Illini Union draws together all members of the University with approximately 16,000 visits of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests on a daily basis. We are seeking individuals with diverse backgrounds who can help create and foster communities that strive toward this vision. This includes supporting the academic mission of the University by developing environments conducive to student learning and academic success, respecting, appreciating, and advocating for the diversity of our student population, and supporting the holistic development of all our students.

Job Summary

Responsible for the overall professional operations of the Illini Union Hotel property in accordance with organizational standards and unit specific procedures and standards while achieving guest satisfaction, targeted profitability, and complying with federal and state regulations.

Duties & Responsibilities

Operations

Lead hotel front desk and housekeeping staff to achieve Illini Union service and satisfaction goals through excellent overall guest experiences. Assist front desk and housekeeping operations as needed to ensure 24-hour front desk coverage and meeting housekeeping objectives.
Actively responsible for hotel Sales and Revenue Management, through optimum guest satisfaction and service to each guest and group, including overall inventory management, group contracts, and room blocks.
Direct, coordinate, and administer operational excellence in all aspects of hospitality management for the Illini Union Hotel, including outstanding customer service, effective room revenue generation, budget control, and staff management. Reflect the needs and expectations of the academic environment and the changing needs of the campus in the operating model of the Hotel.
Formulate strategic direction, set goals, define and clarify operational policies and procedures, and establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the department.

Supervision

Oversee hiring, training, evaluating performance, record maintenance and scheduling work of front office and housekeeping staff.

Manage and assure all staff members are properly trained, and that staffing levels are consistent with fiscal responsibilities and customer satisfaction.
Create an environment that encourages staff development, staff promotion, recognizes employee accomplishments, and promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

Financial

Identify and execute opportunities to achieve maximum RevPar through yield management strategies and to communicate with department leadership of these opportunities.
Monitor all front office financial operations, including group billing, verifying rates/discounts, daily sales reconciliation, petty cash, and room inventory controls.
Continually analyze price positioning, seasonality, and guest mix to identify optimal revenue opportunities, manage expenses according to budgeted/forecasted guidelines to maximize hotel profitability.

Administrative

Research, develop and implement processes to maximize guest satisfaction scores. Communicate results from guest satisfaction surveys with leadership. Identify needs and trends from the survey results. Respond to guest concerns. Provide recommendations to maintain guest satisfaction scores within an acceptable range.
Conduct research for current hospitality trends, recommend updates and remodeling including purchases of furnishings and amenities.
Develop room inventory management strategies and ongoing execution of inventory management controls in reservation system.
Oversee maintenance and configuration of the reservation system and ensure high standards and accuracy of profiles and reservations, including blocks. Confirm selling and marketing strategies, including customer survey feedback, are being implemented and pricing is aligned with product and local market demand.
Identify operational performance, productivity and efficiency, and implement corrective action addressing all deficiencies.
Ensure total compliance with all Federal, State, and local standards. Manage risk and oversee safety for guests and associates and monitor security of the hotel and property and in accordance with state, federal and company policies.
Performs other duties as assigned to help further the mission of the operation.

Physical Demands

Walking : Frequently

Sitting : Frequently

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or a field related to the position.
Two (2) years of professional business, financial, and/or managerial work experience in the hotel industry.
Demonstrated experience with supervision or management of hotel front desk operations and staff.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality/Hotel Management field, or closely related field.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong management and leadership skills. Ability to manage a small team of employees.
Customer service driven with excellent customer service skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to effectively lead, encourage, and coach.
Ability to recruit new talent, lead hiring decisions, and develop effective staff training and development programs.
Ability to navigate multiple, complex computer systems involving guest registration, room access, and scheduling.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5010 - Business/Administrative Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 6/30/2025.

The budgeted salary for this position is $62,500 to $68,000 per year
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position now and in the future.
Work for this position will be onsite at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University’s Workplace Flexibility Policy.
The work schedule for this position is Monday-Friday with evenings & weekend as per operational needs.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For further information about this specific position, please contact Shared AHW HR at iustaffdevelopment@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

The University of Illinois offers a very competitive benefits portfolio, depending on the position. Click for a complete list of Employee Benefits.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.

Requisition ID: 1030183
Job Category: Professional and Administrative
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

Apply now

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