House Manager

House Manager – Audience Experience Team

Fine Arts Building, a historic landmark building located at 410 S. Michigan Ave and home of the Studebaker Theater (a 600-seat proscenium), is seeking dynamic individuals to join our Audience Experience Team. We are building a talent pool to support our company’s growth and ensure our company is representative of the communities we serve. We view our employees and co-workers as equals who deserve our respect.

It is important that we create and foster an affirming space for our employees to be seen as their full selves.

The right candidate will possess a general knowledge of arts and culture, safety and evacuation protocols, and accessibility services, while also executing excellent guest service. House Managers will interact regularly with team members and guests while embodying and upholding Fine Arts Building policies.

• Supervising venue preparation for events to ensure guests have a joyful, safe, and memorable time at the theater
• Serving as the primary point of contact at events for the Saints (volunteer ushers)
• Providing active and creative in-the-moment problem-solving with a focus on excellent guest experience
• Unlocking concessions areas and generally being the safeguard to Studebaker assets while on shift
• Monitoring and initiating restocking of concessions
• Maintaining communication with stage management to facilitate lobby and house openings
• Facilitating smooth audience ingress and egress by monitoring box office and concessions lines and assessing any accessibility accommodations needed
• Actively seeking out guest engagement opportunities
• Addressing any guest issues with a sense of empathy and authority
• Being an ambassador for the Fine Arts Building by knowledgeably communicating facts about the history of the space to guests while actively listening to personal stories relayed by the guests.
• Dismissing associates at the conclusion of their shift/work
• Monitoring & reporting inventory levels
• Assisting with training new associates
• Other duties as assigned

• House Managers work an average of 24 – 30 hours per week, part-time
• Event shifts are usually 5 hours, with a call time beginning 2 hours prior to curtain
• In-Office hours are scheduled around event schedules with an average of 4-6 hours/week
• Required to attend all Manager Meetings (weekly Fridays 12:00-12:30 pm). Attendance can be virtual or in person depending on other scheduled shifts.
• Availability for all Studebaker events is required; however, scheduling is not guaranteed

• Evenings and weekends
• Some holidays
• Fine Arts Building Second Friday community events (the second Friday of every month)
• Open House Chicago (annually, generally in October)

Candidates with previous experience in House Management, Theater Operations, Customer Service, or Arts Administration are strongly encouraged to apply.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in House Management of a live-performance venue required.
• Applicant must be 21 years of age or older. BASSET certification preferred. (Certification is required for employment and will be made available at onboarding if you are not currently certified)
• CPR certification required. (Certification available and required with employment through Red Cross.)
• Able to stand and walk for extended periods
• Able to climb stairs.
• Ability to lift and carry at least 40lbs.
• Weekend and Evening availability required

• Possess knowledge of arts and culture venues, and have a passion for performing arts
• Skilled in building teams and coaching entry-level team members
• Anticipate potential front of house challenges and create solutions in advance to ensure seamless service and event execution
• Provide training, clear protocols, and decision-making autonomy so staff can confidently address customer needs while ensuring consistency in service
• Confidently demonstrate leadership to resolve challenges and enhance the audience experience
• Contribute to a smooth event run by communicating effectively with other departments
• Regularly collect, report, and create event data to drive and support operational excellence
• Prio…