About the role
Chicago's newest padel and social club is hiring a General Manager. Courts, a full food and beverage program, leagues, events, and a team you'll build yourself. This is a hands-on hospitality leadership role for someone who loves people, energy, and building something new.
At Union, we're creating more than a place to play. We're building a destination where people come to compete, connect, eat, drink, and belong. You'll be the person who makes that happen. You won't lead from behind a desk. You'll be on the floor welcoming members, supporting your team, hosting events, and shaping the culture that makes Union the place people want to spend their time.
What You'll Do
Create an exceptional member experience
* Build a warm, hospitality-driven club culture where members feel known and welcome. * Be highly visible throughout the club, learning members' names and what keeps them coming back. * Respond to feedback with empathy and urgency, and keep raising the bar on every interaction.
Run the club
* Own day-to-day operations across courts, front desk, and food and beverage. * Set and maintain high standards for service, cleanliness, safety, and presentation. * Build the processes and systems that keep everything running smoothly as the club grows.
Bring the club to life
* Develop leagues, tournaments, clinics, social nights, and community events. * Partner with the F&B team on memorable activations that give members reasons to visit beyond playing. * Keep the calendar fresh with new ideas that attract new members and deepen loyalty.
Grow the business
* Drive membership growth, engagement, and retention. * Partner with sales and marketing on membership initiatives. * Build relationships with local businesses and community partners, and represent Union in the neighborhood.
Lead and develop the team
* Hire, train, and coach a high-performing team. * Build a culture of ownership, accountability, hospitality, and fun. * Recognize great work and create real opportunities for growth.
Own the numbers
* Manage the club's budget, P&L, and key performance indicators. * Partner with ownership to set goals and make decisions that balance experience, culture, and profitability.
Who You Are
* A hospitality leader with experience in restaurants, hotels, private clubs, fitness, entertainment, or other lifestyle businesses. Experience with sports-and-social concepts is a big plus. * Someone who genuinely loves being around people and builds relationships naturally. * Energized by being on the floor, not in an office. * An experienced team leader who develops people. * Entrepreneurial, comfortable owning both the details and the big picture. * Confident with sales, networking, and community engagement. * Organized, adaptable, and at your best in a fast-paced, high-energy environment. * Bonus: you already play padel, or you can't wait to learn.
What Success Looks Like at Six Months
* Members know you by name, and you know theirs. * The club feels welcoming, energetic, and full of life. * Leagues, events, and programming are thriving. * Your team is engaged, accountable, and excited to come to work. * Membership is growing through word of mouth, and members are bringing their friends. * The club is hitting its financial goals.
Why Union This is a rare chance to shape a club from the beginning: build the team, create the programming, set the culture, and define what Union becomes. If you love bringing people together and leading from the front, you'll feel right at home here.