Job Overview
Work Schedule
Weekend Shifts
Job Description
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts Philly (POEA) represent a vital cultural institution in Philadelphia, serving as both the owner and operator of historic venues such as the Academy of Music, Miller Theater, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. POEA is also the programming partner for the Forrest Theatre, making it a cornerstone of the city’s artistic and civic identity. The organization welcomes over one million visitors annually to these iconic venues spread across Center City, creating a vibrant constellation of stages for a variety of artistic presentations. POEA showcases a wide array of performances, including Broadway shows, classical music concerts, comedy, theater, jazz, dance, and family presentations, effectively reflecting and serving the diverse communities of the Philadelphia region. Furthermore, through educational initiatives and digital outreach platforms, POEA fosters dialogue and inclusion, building an expansive and inclusive future for the arts in the region and beyond.
The House Manager position within the Audience Experience department plays a pivotal leadership role, reporting directly to the Associate Director of Audience Services. This position is responsible for ensuring the seamless delivery of events and an exceptional experience for every guest and team member. The House Manager supervises the Usher staff and Assistant House Managers before and during events, ensuring proper training, coordination, and performance management. They lead pre-event meetings to convey necessary information, manage the inventory of uniforms, and act as a central point of contact for front-of-house concerns during events.
This role involves critical problem-solving skills to handle issues such as seating conflicts, accommodating guests with disabilities, and unanticipated emergencies. The House Manager liaises closely with various departments, including the box office, production, venue management, operations support, and programming teams, ensuring operational harmony and guest satisfaction. They are also responsible for generating detailed performance reports and maintaining comprehensive and sensitive event logs. Given the variety and scale of events hosted at the three historic venues on the Avenue of the Arts—Academy of Music, Kimmel Center, and Miller Theater—this position requires adaptability to changing schedules, weekend and evening shifts, with a high level of professionalism and calm under pressure. The role demands excellent leadership, communication, organizational abilities, and a deep understanding of front-of-house operations and event management. This is an onsite role requiring presence at POEA’s venues during scheduled events. A resume and cover letter are required when applying for this position.
The House Manager position within the Audience Experience department plays a pivotal leadership role, reporting directly to the Associate Director of Audience Services. This position is responsible for ensuring the seamless delivery of events and an exceptional experience for every guest and team member. The House Manager supervises the Usher staff and Assistant House Managers before and during events, ensuring proper training, coordination, and performance management. They lead pre-event meetings to convey necessary information, manage the inventory of uniforms, and act as a central point of contact for front-of-house concerns during events.
This role involves critical problem-solving skills to handle issues such as seating conflicts, accommodating guests with disabilities, and unanticipated emergencies. The House Manager liaises closely with various departments, including the box office, production, venue management, operations support, and programming teams, ensuring operational harmony and guest satisfaction. They are also responsible for generating detailed performance reports and maintaining comprehensive and sensitive event logs. Given the variety and scale of events hosted at the three historic venues on the Avenue of the Arts—Academy of Music, Kimmel Center, and Miller Theater—this position requires adaptability to changing schedules, weekend and evening shifts, with a high level of professionalism and calm under pressure. The role demands excellent leadership, communication, organizational abilities, and a deep understanding of front-of-house operations and event management. This is an onsite role requiring presence at POEA’s venues during scheduled events. A resume and cover letter are required when applying for this position.
Job Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
- proven experience in a leadership role within performing arts or event management
- strong interpersonal and communication skills
- ability to work evenings and weekends
- reliable and able to work onsite at multiple venues
- ability to handle emergency situations effectively
- organizational skills to manage uniforms and staff schedules
Job Qualifications
- Proven experience as a house manager or similar leadership role in a performing arts center or related industry
- excellent leadership supervisory and interpersonal skills
- strong communication and problem-solving skills
- ability to multitask and handle emergency situations with calm and confidence
- knowledge of front of house operations and event management
- ability to maintain accurate records and generate performance reports
- familiarity with union policies and procedures is a plus
Job Duties
- Supervise usher staff and assistant house managers prior to and during events providing direction guidance and issuing discipline as necessary
- lead pre-event meetings to provide ushers with relevant information relating to the day’s event(s)
- report and manage an active uniform inventory for usher staff
- serve as the point of contact for front of house information and needs during an event
- resolve audience issues such as broken seats double-booking accommodating audience members with disabilities etc.
- serve as a liaison to the box office team and coordinate with them to resolve seating issues
- communicate with the production manager to balance the needs of the production with the needs of the audience
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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