Assistant Food and Beverage Manager

The Auditorium Theatre is a distinguished Illinois not-for-profit organization dedicated to presenting world-class international, cultural, community, and educational programming in the vibrant city of Chicago. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the venue is renowned for its magnificent architecture and rich history, making it an iconic cultural hub. The organization is deeply committed to the restoration and preservation of this architectural treasure, sustaining its legacy for future generations. The Auditorium Theatre serves as a cornerstone in Chicago's arts and entertainment scene, attracting diverse audiences and fostering a deep connection between the performing arts and the community it serves.

The organization embraces diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, striving to reflect the broad spectrum of its audience and the wider world through its leadership, partnerships, and programming. This commitment emphasizes the transformative power of the arts and solidifies the Theatre’s role as a space that welcomes all people. Known for its vibrant atmosphere during events, the Auditorium Theatre continually endeavors to create an inclusive and engaging experience for every guest.

The Assistant Food & Beverage Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the Food & Beverage Manager to ensure that all events run smoothly and guests receive the highest quality of hospitality. This position demands excellent customer service skills, the ability to manage and lead a team efficiently, and a strong sense of professionalism. The Assistant Manager must be experienced in thriving in a fast-paced, high-volume environment such as a large theatre, music venue, or arena, where the flow of patrons and guest satisfaction are top priorities.

Key responsibilities include assisting in managing Food & Beverage staff, facilitating smooth service during setup, event operation, and breakdown, and handling any customer inquiries or complaints with tact and efficiency. This role also supports bartenders by ensuring proper ID verification and troubleshooting point-of-sale (POS) systems. The Assistant Manager helps direct the flow of patrons to various service points such as bars, merchandise lines, and coat checks, ensuring orderly and prompt service.

Inventory management, nightly financial closeouts, and verifying completion of staff side work are other critical aspects of the role. The Assistant Food & Beverage Manager must strictly adhere to the theatre’s Food & Beverage policies and uphold the organization’s values of inclusion and collaboration. Flexibility is essential, as this role requires working evening, weekend, and holiday hours, often in varying weather conditions.

Successful candidates will possess excellent communication skills, have a capacity to lead and motivate a team of up to 20 members, and demonstrate a strong spirit of optimism and collaboration. Basset certification is required to ensure legal compliance in alcohol service. The physical demands include standing for long periods, lifting up to 25 pounds, and navigating stairs. Experience with POS systems and the ability to thrive in a loud, dynamic environment are critical. Overall, the Assistant Food & Beverage Manager is instrumental in delivering a superior guest experience at one of Chicago's most beloved theatres with a rich cultural heritage and a commitment to community engagement.