Job Overview

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Compensation

Hourly
Exact $22.74
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee Discounts
Training opportunities

Job Description

The Overture Center is a renowned performing arts venue located in Madison, Wisconsin, dedicated to providing outstanding cultural and entertainment experiences to the community. As a hub for live performances, exhibitions, and community events, the center plays a vital role in enriching the local arts scene. Operated by a committed team of professionals, the Overture Center combines state-of-the-art facilities with exceptional customer service to ensure every visitor enjoys a memorable experience. The center hosts a wide variety of events including theater productions, concerts, lectures, and art exhibits, attracting diverse audiences from the region and beyond. With its focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and quality programming, the Overture Center stands as a cultural cornerstone that fosters artistic expression, education, and community engagement.

The role of House Manager 1 at the Overture Center is an essential leadership position focused on delivering excellent guest service during events while overseeing the front-of-house operations. Working under the general supervision of the Manager of Guest Services, the House Manager 1 leads a team of hourly and volunteer ushers, ensuring that all attendees receive attentive and courteous assistance throughout their visit. This position requires proactive coordination with various departments including technical staff, maintenance, security, and ticketing to maintain seamless event execution. The House Manager 1 is responsible for preparing theater spaces, overseeing lobby configurations for optimal crowd flow, monitoring patron behavior, enforcing policies, and managing concession sales. Additionally, this role involves administrative duties such as usher training, volunteer interviewing, policy advising, and incident report documentation.

An hourly pay rate of $22.74 reflects the level of responsibility and expertise expected in this role. Candidates for this position should possess knowledge of theater operations, excellent customer service skills, and the ability to manage and motivate staff effectively. The House Manager must remain calm and decisive in emergency situations, and adapt quickly to the dynamic environment of live events. Physical demands include prolonged standing and walking, frequent bending and carrying, and the ability to work in varied temperature conditions. This job offers an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about hospitality and the performing arts to contribute meaningfully to a vibrant cultural institution while honing leadership skills in a dynamic and socially engaging environment.

Job Requirements

  • 2 years related college or vocational school training
  • 1 year responsible front-of-house customer service experience including management, training, and supervision of house staff in a theater setting
  • Knowledge of theater operations
  • Excellent customer service skills and the ability to be courteous and friendly on a consistent basis
  • Ability to lead, train, evaluate, and correct hourly and volunteer staff in a positive manner
  • Ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of permanent and transient event staff
  • Ability to think clearly and act appropriately in an emergency
  • Ability to pay attention to details, work quickly and accurately under time pressure and stressful conditions and set the standard for others to follow
  • Ability to use a computer to enter data into event reports
  • Ability to read and comprehend coded tickets in dark theater using a flashlight
  • Ability to memorize seating and aisle locations of up to six theater spaces

Job Qualifications

  • 2 years related college or vocational school training
  • 1 year responsible front-of-house customer service experience including management, training, and supervision of house staff in a theater setting
  • Knowledge of theater operations
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Ability to lead, train, evaluate, and correct hourly and volunteer staff in a positive manner
  • Ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of permanent and transient event staff
  • Ability to think clearly and act appropriately in an emergency
  • Ability to pay attention to details, work quickly and accurately under time pressure and stressful conditions
  • Ability to use a computer to enter data into event reports
  • Ability to read and comprehend coded tickets in dark theater using a flashlight
  • Ability to memorize seating and aisle locations of up to six theater spaces

Job Duties

  • Performs house management duties overseeing front-of-house operations
  • Gathers event information, organizes related event materials, reads and understands complex instructions, and clearly communicates information to usher staff at usher briefing
  • Checks theater spaces prior to event for proper temperature, cleanliness, clear aisles, accessibility requirements, proper sightlines, and reports concerns to appropriate staff
  • Determines stanchion needs and lobby configuration for optimum crowd control, access, and direction
  • Directs program stuffing and distribution
  • Leads and directs activities of paid and volunteer house staff and provides guidance and correction as needed to ensure patrons receive the highest level of customer service
  • Monitors theater, lobby, and street activity
  • enforces policies
  • handles and resolves conflicts with patrons
  • assists patrons with accessibility issues
  • and responds to emergency situations
  • Coordinates with technical staff, maintenance, ticket office staff, security, and outside agencies to ensure smooth operation
  • Works with these departments to solve problems and adjust to unexpected situations
  • Manages lobby concession sales including counting in and out merchandise, providing and briefing usher sales staff, balancing cash, and settling events
  • Performs administrative duties including assisting with usher training, editing the usher manual, interviewing new volunteer ushers, and advising on policy and procedural changes and personnel issues
  • Operates lobby and room lighting settings, lobby sound system settings, assistive listening devices, and event staff radios
  • Reprograms ticket scanners
  • Writes event and incident reports
  • Communicates performance and procedural problems to supervisor and recommends changes
  • Performs all duties of a lead usher as needed
  • Performs all other duties as assigned

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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