Client Relationship Manager
Food for Thought
Lincolnwood, IL 60712$65,000 a yearFull Time
Job Description
Job Position: Meeting & Experience Manager
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, flexibility based on client and operational needs is needed
Wage: $65,000 yearly + year-end performance bonus
Location: Lincolnwood, IL (with regular onsite presence at various client locations (3 to 4 days per week)
Job Summary
The Meeting & Experience Manager oversees several managed client accounts, including conference centers and commissary-style partnerships. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, strong client relationships, and successful execution of onsite programs and services.
The Manager partners closely with internal teams, client stakeholders, and direct report staff to deliver seamless hospitality experiences and drive account performance, growth, and retention.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage multiple accounts, including conference centers and commissary-style partnerships with the support of the Director of Workspace Solutions
• Manage team members in and outside of Chicago who support managed accounts
• Manage scheduling, hours, and payroll oversight
• Provide training and ongoing performance support
• Lead regular team meetings and set service expectations
• Partner with client contacts to plan large-scale and key events within their offices and facilities
• Collaborate with Accounting to support monthly billing and financial accuracy for managed accounts
• Maintain regular communication and status meetings with client stakeholders
• Develop and create menus for office programs in partnership with culinary teams
• Coordinate with internal operations teams (warehouse, kitchen, staffing) to ensure successful program execution
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, processes, and client experience
• Bring forward creative ideas and strategic recommendations to enhance value for clients
• Support hiring, onboarding, and training of team members as needed
• Manage account budgets and monitor performance against revenue goals
• Support the Sales team with day-to-day needs for managed accounts without designated onsite staff
• Assist in onboarding new accounts and play a key role in successful launches and transitions
Qualifications
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3–5+ years of leadership experience in hospitality, catering, food service, conference services, or account management roles
• Experience managing client relationships and multi-location operations preferred
• Experience supporting budgeting, billing, and operational planning
Skills & Competencies
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities across multiple accounts and priorities
• Excellent leadership and team development skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and build strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams
• Client-facing presence with a commitment to hospitality excellence
• Ability to learn and implement new systems and processes
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• Willingness to travel and work onsite at client locations regularly
Why We’re the Leaders
Excellent training
Employee Referral bonuses
Flexible scheduling
Career advancement opportunities
Competitive Pay
Anniversary Milestone Incentives
Company Benefits & Perks
Paid Time Off
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – Includes Spouse and Domestic Partner Coverage (Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Paid Life Insurance
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) & Critical Illness Insurance
Short Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Mental Health, Relationship Conflicts, Child and Eldercare, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
Assistance for you and household members
In Person Sessions
Unlimited phone access
Parental Leave – Equal benefits to Mothers and Fathers
401K Retirement Plan
FFT University - Over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth.
Employee Meal Plan
Employee Discounts (Pet Insurance, Entertainment, Travel, Company Discounts, and much more).
Company Values & Culture
• Collaboration & Open Communication
• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating
• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet
• A Net Positive Organization
Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach at or below the shoulder; lift and carry items up to 50 pounds for a moderate distance.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand and move during the length of shift; be able to bend and kneel through the shift. The employee is required to use their hands to handle tools, grasp, and control objects. Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble items.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously exposed to extreme temperatures. Working with knives, mincers, and other dangerous tools or equipment.
EEO Statement
Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
E-Verify Participation
Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, flexibility based on client and operational needs is needed
Wage: $65,000 yearly + year-end performance bonus
Location: Lincolnwood, IL (with regular onsite presence at various client locations (3 to 4 days per week)
Job Summary
The Meeting & Experience Manager oversees several managed client accounts, including conference centers and commissary-style partnerships. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, strong client relationships, and successful execution of onsite programs and services.
The Manager partners closely with internal teams, client stakeholders, and direct report staff to deliver seamless hospitality experiences and drive account performance, growth, and retention.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage multiple accounts, including conference centers and commissary-style partnerships with the support of the Director of Workspace Solutions
• Manage team members in and outside of Chicago who support managed accounts
• Manage scheduling, hours, and payroll oversight
• Provide training and ongoing performance support
• Lead regular team meetings and set service expectations
• Partner with client contacts to plan large-scale and key events within their offices and facilities
• Collaborate with Accounting to support monthly billing and financial accuracy for managed accounts
• Maintain regular communication and status meetings with client stakeholders
• Develop and create menus for office programs in partnership with culinary teams
• Coordinate with internal operations teams (warehouse, kitchen, staffing) to ensure successful program execution
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, processes, and client experience
• Bring forward creative ideas and strategic recommendations to enhance value for clients
• Support hiring, onboarding, and training of team members as needed
• Manage account budgets and monitor performance against revenue goals
• Support the Sales team with day-to-day needs for managed accounts without designated onsite staff
• Assist in onboarding new accounts and play a key role in successful launches and transitions
Qualifications
Education & Experience
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3–5+ years of leadership experience in hospitality, catering, food service, conference services, or account management roles
• Experience managing client relationships and multi-location operations preferred
• Experience supporting budgeting, billing, and operational planning
Skills & Competencies
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities across multiple accounts and priorities
• Excellent leadership and team development skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and build strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams
• Client-facing presence with a commitment to hospitality excellence
• Ability to learn and implement new systems and processes
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• Willingness to travel and work onsite at client locations regularly
Why We’re the Leaders
Excellent training
Employee Referral bonuses
Flexible scheduling
Career advancement opportunities
Competitive Pay
Anniversary Milestone Incentives
Company Benefits & Perks
Paid Time Off
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – Includes Spouse and Domestic Partner Coverage (Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Paid Life Insurance
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) & Critical Illness Insurance
Short Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Mental Health, Relationship Conflicts, Child and Eldercare, Substance Abuse, Grief and Loss
Assistance for you and household members
In Person Sessions
Unlimited phone access
Parental Leave – Equal benefits to Mothers and Fathers
401K Retirement Plan
FFT University - Over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth.
Employee Meal Plan
Employee Discounts (Pet Insurance, Entertainment, Travel, Company Discounts, and much more).
Company Values & Culture
• Collaboration & Open Communication
• Diverse, Inclusive, Safe, and Motivating
• Our Triple Bottom Line – People, Product and Planet
• A Net Positive Organization
Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the Hospitality industry average is only 2 years!
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach at or below the shoulder; lift and carry items up to 50 pounds for a moderate distance.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand and move during the length of shift; be able to bend and kneel through the shift. The employee is required to use their hands to handle tools, grasp, and control objects. Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble items.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously exposed to extreme temperatures. Working with knives, mincers, and other dangerous tools or equipment.
EEO Statement
Food For Thought provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all applicants and employees, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
E-Verify Participation
Food For Thought participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.