Task Force Operations Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL

Description

Who We Are

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in. You'll help bring the virtue of hospitality to life while we create an environment that allows you to be your best self and grow.

We are hiring a Task Force Rooms Operations Manager — a travel-based hotel operations leadership role — not a permanent single-property assignment — designed for an experienced rooms operations professional who thrives on variety, adaptability, and the ability to make an immediate impact at properties across the White Lodging portfolio. As a task force hotel manager, you will be deployed on a temporary basis to serve as a dependable rooms division leader covering front office and housekeeping leadership vacancies, leading Property Management System (PMS) rollouts and brand conversions, and supporting new hotel openings, acquisitions, and property transitions across a portfolio of 60+ premium hotels nationwide. This role may require up to 100% travel.

If you're a Rooms Operations Manager, Front Office Manager, Hotel Operations Manager, or experienced rooms division leader who is energized by new challenges, comfortable leading in unfamiliar environments, and ready for a high-impact corporate task force role in the hotel industry, this is a rare and distinctive opportunity with one of the country's most respected hotel management companies. Candidates searching for hotel task force manager jobs, traveling hotel manager roles, or rooms operations leadership positions based in the Chicago metro area or Merrillville, Indiana are encouraged to apply.

What You'll Do

• Lead Property Management System (PMS) rollouts and brand conversions at assigned hotels across the White Lodging portfolio — executing a standardized implementation process and setting a consistent standard across all properties
• Provide interim rooms division leadership coverage for Front Office and Housekeeping department-head vacancies and leaves of absence — stabilizing the team and upholding service standards until a permanent leader is in place
• Support new hotel openings, acquisitions, and property transitions with on-site rooms operations leadership — serving as a dependable point of operational continuity during critical hotel milestones
• Deliver remote training and change-management support to properties between on-site task force assignments — maintaining momentum and standards across the portfolio
• Deploy to properties requiring turnaround support or red-zone visits as directed by Corporate Rooms Operations — assessing needs quickly and executing solutions with urgency and professionalism
• Provide the highest quality of guest service at all times and ensure all associates at assigned properties do the same — running the Perfect Shift and upholding all White Lodging Way standards and expectations
• Carry out supervisory duties across all Rooms division departments under the Rooms Operations Manager — including Front Desk, Housekeeping, and related functions — at each assigned property
• Interpret company policies and maintain a safe work environment by enforcing safety programs, job safety analysis, and safe working procedures at all assigned locations
• Coach, counsel, and motivate associates — reinforcing positive behaviors, correcting issues, and helping resolve day-to-day operational challenges at each assigned hotel
• Monitor service trends and guest feedback — including surveys, satisfaction reports, online reviews, comment cards, and service-recovery and defect tracking — to keep service standards on target across all task force assignments
• Resolve guest issues to full satisfaction and empower associates at assigned properties to handle guest questions and complaints directly and confidently
• Recognize associates for demonstrating outstanding service initiative with guests and fellow team members
• Coordinate implementation of service strategies at the hotel level — ensuring alignment with the White Lodging Services Pledge and each brand's service strategy
• Ensure all hotel equipment is maintained in accordance with service standards and that outages are reported and resolved in a timely manner
• Ensure effective ongoing training and development plans are in effect at assigned properties — particularly regarding the effective use of all confidential systems and PMS platforms
• Ensure full compliance with all White Lodging SOPs, brand procedures, and operational standards at every assigned hotel
• Adhere to all safety standards, brand audits, and White Lodging work rules, procedures, and policies — including those contained in the associate handbook
• Perform other managerial and hands-on duties as assigned; must be available to work flexible hours and be on call 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency
• Work nights, weekends, and holidays as the needs of a 24-hour hotel task force role require

What You'll Bring

• Ideally, live in one of the cities we operate in, if not close to a major airport
• Proven rooms operations leadership experience as a Rooms Operations Manager, Front Office Manager, Hotel Operations Manager, or comparable rooms division leader — required; multi-property, task force, or opening team experience strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead Front Office and Housekeeping teams in a fast-paced, high-volume hotel environment — with the adaptability to step into new properties and make an immediate operational impact
• Experience with Property Management System (PMS) implementations, brand conversions, or hotel opening and acquisition support — a significant advantage for this task force role
• Deep knowledge of rooms division operations, White Lodging Way standards, brand service strategies, and hotel SOP compliance
• Strong coaching, counseling, and associate development skills — with the ability to stabilize and inspire a hotel team quickly and effectively in a task force environment
• Excellent guest service, problem-solving, and service recovery skills — you resolve issues with urgency, professionalism, and genuine care for the guest experience
• Core competencies: Job Knowledge, Flexibility and Adaptability, Quality of Work, Perseverance, Organization Skills, Guest Focus, Reliability, Judgment and Problem Solving, Motivation, and Cooperation and Teamwork
• Minimum 2-year college degree or equivalent hotel operations work experience — required
• Full travel availability — this role may require up to 100% travel across the White Lodging hotel portfolio nationwide; candidates must be comfortable with an extended travel-based lifestyle
• Physical ability to lift and carry up to 10 lbs. regularly and up to 50 lbs. occasionally with assistance; ability to stand, sit, walk, reach, and move for extended periods throughout each assignment

What You Can Look Forward To

• Unlimited employee referral bonuses
• 401(k) with company match
• Vacation and Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
• Complimentary wellness tools
• Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Exposure to 60+ premium hotel properties and brands across the U.S.
• Accelerated career development through multi-property, multi-brand operational leadership experience
• Full-time associates also receive:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance — starting day 1
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

White Lodging is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.