House Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The House Manager serves as the lead front-of-house representative for performances and events for the Davis Arts Council in the Ed Kenley Centennial Amphitheater and related venues. This position is responsible for ensuring a safe, welcoming, organized, and enjoyable patron and volunteer experience before, during, and after performances. 

The House Manager oversees front-of-house operations including patron services, day-of-event volunteer coordination, audience seating, event readiness, accessibility support, and emergency response procedures. This role works closely with stage management, production staff, box office personnel, security, volunteers, and venue operations staff to ensure smooth event execution. 

This is a part-time, seasonal, event-based position requiring flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and irregular hours based on the performance schedule and operational needs of the organization. The House Manager should be prepared to work all Summer Nights with the Stars, Free Friday Film Series, and Free Sunday Concert Series events. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Front-of-House Operations 

o Open, prepare, and close public areas of the amphitheater and related event spaces 

o Conduct pre-event walkthroughs to ensure venue cleanliness, readiness, signage placement, and patron safety 

o Coordinate house opening and seating timelines with stage management and production staff 

o Monitor audience flow and seating operations before, during, and after performances 

o Enforce venue policies including late seating procedures, prohibited items, photography restrictions, and patron conduct expectations 

o Maintain a visible and professional presence throughout performances and events 

Patron Services 

o Provide exceptional customer service to patrons, guests, donors, volunteers, and artists 

o Respond professionally and calmly to patron and volunteer concerns, complaints, seating issues, ticketing disputes, and emergency situations 

o Assist patrons with accessibility accommodations and ADA-related requests 

o Ensure all audience areas remain safe, clean, and accessible throughout events  

Day-of-Event Volunteer Coordination 

o Assist with recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervising volunteer ushers and front-of-house staff in concert with the volunteer coordinator 

o Conduct pre-show briefings regarding event procedures, seating policies, emergency protocols, and customer service expectations 

o Ensure ushers are properly equipped with flashlights, radios, programs, ticket scanners, and other required materials 

o Assign volunteer positions and monitor performance throughout events Safety & Emergency Response 

o Serve as the front-of-house lead during emergencies or evacuations 

o Ensure all exits, aisles, walkways, and emergency access points remain unobstructed 

o Communicate emergency procedures clearly to volunteers and staff 

o Coordinate with venue staff, security personnel, emergency responders, and management when necessary 

o Report accidents, incidents, safety concerns, or patron injuries promptly and accurately 

Event Coordination & Reporting 

o Communicate regularly with box office, technical staff, facilities personnel, and stage management regarding event operations 

o Assist with attendance counts, ticket scanning reconciliation, and post-show reporting 

o Ensure venue spaces are properly secured following events, including locking doors, turning off lights, and verifying public areas are clear 

o Maintain accurate records regarding incidents, patron concerns, volunteer attendance, and operational issues 

o Attend and participate in pre-event planning meetings and post-event debrief meetings to review operational plans, safety procedures, staffing needs, patron experience feedback, incident reports, and opportunities for continuous improvement  

o Provide timely and accurate event notes, operational updates, and follow-up recommendations to management and relevant departments 

General 

o Maintain strict confidentiality of patron, volunteer, and organizational information 

o Demonstrate professional integrity and ethical conduct at all times 

o Collaborate effectively with staff and volunteers to ensure seamless patron experiences 

o Support concessions, special events, donor functions, or community events as assigned 

o Attend required trainings, meetings, and orientation sessions 

o Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and operations of the Davis Arts Council 

QUALIFICATIONS

 Required: 

o Supervisory or volunteer coordination experience  

o Ability to remain calm, professional, and solution-oriented in fast-paced or high-pressure situations 

o Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication, and conflict-resolution skills 

o Basic computer and mobile technology proficiency (Microsoft Office, Monday, Point, Slack, or similar systems) 

o Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills 

o Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of staff, volunteers, artists, and patrons  

o Commitment to excellent customer service, volunteer, and audience experience 

Preferred: 

o Previous experience in customer service, event operations, hospitality, theater, live entertainment, or front-of house management 

o Experience with point-of-sale (POS) or ticketing systems 

Physical Requirements 

This position regularly requires: 

o Standing and walking for extended periods of time 

o Walking up and down stairs, sloped seating aisles, and uneven grassy surfaces 

o Working in crowded environments and low-light conditions o Lifting, carrying, pushing, or moving items up to 50 pounds 

o Frequent bending, kneeling, reaching, and climbing stairs o Use of radios, ticket scanners, and other communication devices o Visual ability to read printed materials and computer screens 

o Ability to communicate clearly in person and by telephone Schedule & Work Environment o Seasonal, part-time position with hours varying based on the event schedule; typically evenings 

o Evening, weekend, holiday, and irregular hours are required 

o Work is performed primarily outdoors in an amphitheater setting and may involve exposure to heat, cold, wind, rain, noise, and changing weather conditions 

o Schedule may vary week-to-week significantly depending on performances and special events 

o Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with applicable law

APPLY HERE