"Retail Assistant Manager, Hotel - Illini Union"

Retail Assistant Manager, Hotel - Illini Union

Illini Union

Applications are now being accepted for the Retail Assistant Manager (Hotel) Position at the Illini Union at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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

Under the direction of the Hotel Manager, manages the evening and weekend supervision of front desk, reservations, room services and housekeeping of the Illini Union Hotel. This position also assists in managing the overall business as well as directly training and supervising personnel.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Housekeeping: Schedules employees to ensure adequately staffed and rooms are clean and available at the required check in time. Assigns daily work assignments to meet daily housekeeping and room turnover demand. Supervises of all Hotel housekeeping staff. Inspects rooms, recommends special repair, cleaning, or purchases supporting proper upkeep of guest rooms. Coordinates room status reporting between Front Desk and Housekeeping Department. Conducts performance evaluations for all staff. Prepares weekend operational reports. Substitutes for Room Attendants when necessary due to absences and/or coordinates for substitute labor (BSWs, Extra Help).
• Front Office: Assigns and supervises activities for staff scheduled on evening and weekend shifts. Assists the Hotel Manager with the supervision of all Hotel front office employees. Assumes responsibilities for the operation in the absence of the Hotel Manager. Receives payments on account from customers of the Hotel operation. Prepares change and daily cash reports. Takes Hotel reservations and issue keys. Manages inventory levels of supplies and equipment, implements appropriate cost controls to maximize efficiency and profitability. Addresses complaints regarding guest room service, amenities, and equipment. Reviews policy and procedures and makes recommendations to the Hotel Manager. Assists the Hotel Manager in preparing and monitoring operational budgets. Exercises care for the safety of guests and recommend procedures to safeguard guests and to protect guest room property from theft or loss. Prepares sales, occupancy and other financial reports as required. Develops and maintain understanding of computer reservations system. Substitutes for or finds substitute staff for Desk Attendants when necessary due to absences. Hires, trains, develops, and supervises student employees for positions at the front desk.
• Registration & Front Desk: Has responsibility for reception and registration of guests to the Illini Union Hotel. Greets guests and witness signature of card by guest. Ensures guest of reaching destined room by providing directions or escort as necessary. Aids with luggage when requested or obvious need exists. Issues parking permits to guests requiring one and distribute maps when necessary. Maintains accurate information in the computer, information rack, and files. Routes telephone calls to appropriate guest rooms. Answers phone in the Hotel office as need arises. Schedules reservations for guest rooms via telephone by confirming room vacancy and entering reservation data in computer. Accepts reservations for guest rooms from walk-up persons as room availability allows. Responsible for cashier duties including assurance of $350 cash starting fund each day, balance of customer receipts, and cash report at end of assigned time of duty. Provides and oversees all services requested by registered guests or refers guest to appropriate individual who could provide requested services. Services provided by the Hotel include parking privileges, internet access and faxing while residing in the Hotel. Provides service and information for all persons approaching the Hotel Desk, provides information requested or refers persons to appropriate channels. Assigns duties to student assistants and oversee completion of such duties. Typical duties are routing of phone calls, waking service for guests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Physical Demands

Most work will be performed in an office environment and may include frequent walking, stairs, sitting, lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling, bending/stooping, balancing, kneeling and squatting/crouching and occasional climbing. The incumbent may occasionally work in extreme heat/cold with temperature changes and inclement weather, humid/wet/noisy environments and may come in contact with fumes, hazards, and chemicals.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent. Two (2) years (24 months) of experience in a retail environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hotel experience (1-5 years) performing similar duties
• Experience in a supervisory or managerial role

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services, including customer needs assessment, quality standards for services, and customer satisfaction evaluation.
• Knowledge of applied mathematics in the business environment.
• Knowledge of the English language, including composition and grammar.
• Knowledge of business administration/management.
• Knowledge of inventory control.
• Skill as an active listener.
• Skill as an effective communicator, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with students, staff, and the public.
• Ability to hire, train and direct the work of assigned staff.
• Ability to maintain detailed records.
• Ability to be sensitive to the demands of the public, patient in seeking to satisfy such demands and congenial in public relations.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 3879 - Retail Assistant Manager position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 10/13/2025.

• Salary Information: The budgeted salary range for this position is $50,000 - $55,000 per year.
• Fully Onsite position: This position will be expected to work at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on a full-time basis per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.
• Work Hours: The scheduled work hours for this position are Wednesday to Sunday (Day shifts with flex schedule).
• Sponsorship: Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position now and in the future.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on 9/23/2025. 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 iustaffdevelopment@illinois.edu. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.