Front of House Manager

Job Title: Front of House Manager

Location: Chicago, IL 

Terms: Full-Time

Requirements: This job primarily works evening and weekend hours 

About Us:

The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is a not-for-profit organization whose mission and principal activities are to promote and support fine arts, cultural programming, and spiritual development for Catholics and the general public in Chicago, Illinois. Our mission is to invite people into encounters with beauty and to revitalize the great Catholic tradition of the arts from our location in one of Chicago’s most unique religious, artistic, and civic buildings. 

Our performing art center was built in 1911 as part of St. Alphonsus in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, as a place for the spiritual, physical, and intellectual growth of parishioners and the community. The Center has multiple performance and event spaces, including our 985-seat proscenium, Historic Main Stage Theatre. At ACTC, we believe that beauty has the capacity to build up culture, transform society, and change lives. We hope to help our patrons contemplate, encounter, and delight in beauty.

Job Summary:

The Front of House Manager oversees all Front of House Operations, including event staffing and food and beverage management at the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture. This position works closely with event producers and clients to ensure exceptional guest experience and operational efficiency. The Front of House Manager is responsible for advancing, coordinating, and managing Front of House operations for house public and private events. As the Front of House Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring that our guests have an exceptional experience and that our events run smoothly. This position is the day of event team lead. You will have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and dedicated team of individuals who are passionate about creating meaningful and thought-provoking experiences for our guests.

Responsibilities:

Front of House Operations

• Participate in client venue tours and provide recommendations for best operations practices per event
• Advance, coordinate and manage front of house operations and staff for house public and private events, including any pre or post VIP related activities
• Manage and coordinate scheduling functions in multiple spaces
• Open and close multiple spaces for all evening rentals and events
• Coordinate event parking and scheduling with campus-wide events
• Maintain budgets and communicate all changes to client and internal production team
• Hold FOH Staff Meetings for every event to review safety and logistics information, event details, and any usual circumstances
• Organize and develop as needed customer feedback surveys
• Prepare and set up spaces for all events including tables, chairs, furniture, and signage, playlists
• Handle and manage all ADA requests and accommodations

Front of House Staff Management

• Scout and maintain freelance rosters for all front of house positions
• Schedule, train, and manage front of house staff, including, but not limited to: floor captains, ushers, security, EMTs, bartenders, and volunteers
• Build schedules and provide pertinent event information to staff for events and functions using VenueOps software and other communication lines
• Manage and approve FOH time sheets and collaborate with Accounting Department to facilitate payroll processing for staff
• Provide coverage for employee absences, as needed
• Collaborate with management to create and maintain Front of House policies and standard operating procedures
• Keep up to date with industry best practices
• Conduct drills for staff under the emergency response plan
• Oversee building maintenance and upkeep in collaboration with all event functions

Volunteer Management

• Recruit, train and supervise volunteers
• Coordinate Ushers for all events
• Staffing Ushers for any under-staffed events and extensions ensuring adequate number of ushers and concession workers for all events
• Serve as a resource to answer volunteer questions and address their concerns

Food and Beverage Operations

• Work closely with Food and Beverage partners to coordinate food and beverage operations for all events
• Manage Food and Beverage budget and work with vendors to ensure proper inventory levels
• Ensure Food and Beverage services adhere to Athenaeum Center and industry standards and regulations
• Maintain a positive relationship with Food and Beverage vendors
• Responsible for the POS system, including set-up, updates, maintenance, and staff training.
• Managing and overseeing administrative aspects of the day to day operations. These aspects include but are not limited to maintaining current liquor license, identifying, negotiating supplier contracts, taking inventory and reordering supplies, managing budgets, and setting benchmark goals for the business.
• Act as the direct liaison to outside caterers for all VIP and special event functions

Requirements:

The Front of House Manager should have the following skills, educations, and experience:

• Minimum of two years of experience working in events industry or at a performing arts center
• Minimum of two years of direct customer service experience
• Minimum of an Associate degree 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evening and weekend hours
• Strong organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent leadership and team management skills
• Ability to handle conflict and resolve customer issues smoothly
• Independent problem solving and multitasking skills in a fast-paced, high energy environment
• Strong Proficiency in computer skills, including use of MS Office
• Experience with Venue Ops, CRM, or other event management software a plus
• Ability to lift 50lbs 

Reports To:

• This position reports to the Director of Operations
• This position’s direct reports are:
  • Front of House Associate
  • Bartender 
  • Barista
  • Servers
  • Ushers
• The position often interacts and collaborates with the Box Office Manager, Event Manager, and Venue Technical Supervisor

Compensation:

• Pay Rate/Range: $50,000-65,000 per experience
• Holiday and paid time off 
• Full benefits package including medical, dental vision, life insurance, disability, accident, flexible spending and transit
• 401(k) plan with excellent company match