College of the Holy Cross Careers

Description

A catalyst for creativity and learning, the Prior Performing Arts Center amplifies the arts at Holy Cross and provides the College, the greater Worcester community, and visiting creative thinkers with an inspiring environment to pursue diverse questions of the human experience. An active classroom, laboratory, and performance venue opened at the College in 2022, the Prior Performing Arts Center offers world-class spaces to experience and train in the performing and creative arts, fostering collaboration across artistic disciplines and catalyzing transformational exchange between the arts and other fields. Programming at the center includes performances and events by academic arts departments and programs, cutting-edge visiting artists, student organizations, and other campus and community partners. The performing arts center is also home to the College’s relocated Cantor Art Gallery, which promotes and supports the intellectual and cultural life of Holy Cross and the greater community through exhibitions both historical and contemporary.

Reporting to the Theater Operations/Facility Manager, the Event and Front of House Manager is responsible for all event and front of house operations and serves as box office representative. This position ensures the safety of attendees at productions or events associated with the Prior Performing Arts Center (PAC) and upholds high standards as it provides all necessary customer services to create positive, memorable experiences for audience members. This is predominantly an afternoon/evening/weekend position.

Often working independently with limited supervision, and at times working in collaboration with the Technical Manager and/or other production staff, the Event and Front of House Manager will execute the events of College academic and administrative departments and community partners taking place at the PAC. This position will play a crucial role in building positive relationships between the center and the campus community as well as between the center and external organizations, artists, and other collaborators.

To assist in the execution of the position’s duties, the Event and Front of House Manager will recruit, hire, train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate a large roster of student staff in the areas of event management, house
management, and ushering.

Along with all staff at the PAC, the Event and Front of House Manager will help train employees, contractors and students in theater and safety protocols as needed. The position will create and distribute all Event/Front
of House reports following every event.

This is a full time, 10-month position.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Event Operations

• Serve as Event Manager for all productions and events associated with the PAC.
• Advise and consult with internal and external clients regarding event planning and coordination, policies and procedures, and risk management.
• Attend production meetings, previews, and client walkthroughs and meetings as needed in order to gather content and build run-of-show.
• In collaboration with other administrative staff, create and maintain detailed records of the planning and execution of all events.
• Manage event setups, room configurations, and teardowns/cleanups.
• Follow-up with colleagues and clients to evaluate the success of each event.
• Create, evaluate, and implement daily event logistics, including room furniture setup and teardowns and room cleanliness.
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, schedule and evaluate a roster of student event staff. Monitor labor costs and approve timecards.
• Assist with virtual event production for hybrid and virtual events.
• Create and distribute Event/Front of House Reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Front of House Operations

• Serve as Front of House manager for all productions and events associated with the PAC.
• Coordinate with technical personnel to ensure that events are executed in a timely and efficient manner.
• Oversee all points of audience interaction including greeting, program distribution, reserved seating, and accessibility.
• Handle and resolve patron complaints and concerns in person as well as by email and over the phone
• Recruit, hire, train, supervise, schedule and evaluate a roster of student house managers and ushers. Monitor labor costs and approve timecards.
• Ensure that front of house staff are trained and familiar with emergency procedures.
• Coordinate with the Theater Operations/Facility Manager to schedule and practice emergency drills.
• Keep records to ensure that appropriate responses occur in emergency situations.
• Create and distribute Event/Front of House Reports.
• Prepare and administer the budget for front of house operations.
• Create, set, and strike wayfinding signage for events in key locations on campus for assigned events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Box Office

• Prepare regular and requested sales reports.
• Handle or supervise all in-person ticket sales.
• Order box office supplies.
• Create and/or maintain box office signage.
• Troubleshoot and expedite ticketing issues in a prompt, decisive, and
• professional manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended or irregular hours is required. Must be willing to work event-based hours determined by the busy performing arts center schedule.
• Experience working in theatrical environments, events and/or performing arts venues.
• Prior experience in Front of House Operations or Event Management.
• Ability to troubleshoot various customer service problems as they arise and provide creative solutions.
• Ability to adapt to and change between unconventional venues (galleries, outdoor stages, street events).
• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously with an eagle eye for details.
• Excellent people and customer service skills, a positive, proactive approach, and an ability to take the lead in emergency situations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, and outstanding problem solving skills.
• Must be detail-oriented, punctual, and organized.
• Ability to operate independently while maintaining a schedule and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work within and manage a team.

• A degree in a related field.
• Experience with Google Office Suite.
• Ability to read/create ground plans.
• Familiar with Massachusetts fire code and ADA requirements
• CPR/First Aid/AED Certification or willing to get certified
• Experience working with students or in an educational setting.

• This position is on an afternoon/evening/weekend schedule.
• This position may require work in dimly lit or confined areas.
• The majority of the workday is spent indoors and onsite, but may require working outdoors or in off-campus venues.
• Restricted vacation during peak periods.
• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for long periods of time
• Must be comfortable working at heights and on ladders
• Must be able to lift, move, and/or carry equipment and furniture weighing up to 50lbs

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This is a full time, exempt level position. The College is committed to providing competitive market pay for its employees. The salary range for this position is $40.000 - $45,000.  The College also offers a competitive benefits package for full-time staff, including:

• 10% College contribution to the 403(b) Retirement Plan (1 year wait waiver available)
• NEW - condensed summer 4-day work week
• Tuition benefits
• Wellness programs & ongoing Training and Development opportunities
• Generous paid time off

To review our Employee Benefit Options, please go to: https://www.holycross.edu/human-resources/benefits

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please attach a cover letter addressing the position requirements along with your resume.

In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's mission as a Jesuit, undergraduate liberal arts college (see http://www.holycross.edu/mission) and its core commitment to diversity and inclusion. Please provide examples of any past work that illuminate your commitments in these areas. For more information, please visit http://holycross.edu/diversity.

Review of applications will begin as received and continue until the position has been filled.