House Manager
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Flynn Center for the Performing Arts
Burlington, VT, US
Summary
The House Manager oversees all front-of-house operations, including managing ushers and coordinating with various staff to ensure patron safety and service. They are responsible for conducting pre-show inspections, handling incident reports, and managing the flow of patrons during events.
Job Description
BASIC FUNCTION
Provide professional service that ensures the well-being and safety of patrons and theatre during Flynn Center events. Oversee all front-of-house operations including management of Ushers, communication with the Box Office Manager, and coordination with Rental Company, Stage Manager, and/or Flynn staff, as well as bar/concessionaires, merchandiser, and caterers.
PRIMARY DUTIES
- Arrive 2 ½ hours before the scheduled curtain time.
- Complete pre-show Fire Safety inspection and facilities checklists.
- Obtain House Manager Information sheet and Usher attendance list.
- Obtain seating configuration/capacity and relevant production information from Flynn Manager.
- Obtain current ticket sales and accessibility needs from Box Office Manager.
- Coordinate with Stage Manager (for rental shows) or Flynn staff (for Flynn events) regarding opening of the house, start of show, late seating, and resuming show after intermission.
- Mark off reserved and accessible seating.
- Conduct pre-show meetings with Ushers to review emergency procedures and relay pertinent show information from the House Manager Information sheet.
- Assign Usher positions and responsibilities:
- Pre-show: Check the house.
- House open positions: Ticket takers (main lobby) and Ushers to help seat patrons (in House).
- During the show: Close doors, follow late seating policy, be a presence in the back of the house.
- Post show: Open doors and monitor exit of patrons, clear, clean, and restore seating areas.
- Follow protocol to assist patrons with accessibility needs.
- Dim Bar/Concessions lights to alert patrons the show is about to begin or resume.
- Be available to support Ushers as they greet latecomers and follow the late seating policy.
- Handle any problems in a friendly and courteous manner; obtain the name and contact information of the patron if there are issues that Flynn staff will need to follow up on.
- Complete incident reports to document any injury, falls, illnesses, or other incidents relating to patrons or staff.
- Be a presence and available in the back of the house during shows.
- Assist Bar/Concessions as needed.
- Assist with evacuation during an emergency and communicate with Fire, EMS, or other emergency personnel upon arrival.
- At the end of each show, monitor the exit of patrons and assist Ushers in clearing, cleaning, and restoring seating. Release Ushers when post-show duties are complete.
- Obtain final sales reports/settlements from Bar/Concessions and Merchandiser.
- Complete post-show checklist and House Manager Report.
- Full understanding of the House Manager Manual, Ushers Handbook, House Manager Report, Pre and Post Show Checklists, and Fire panel instructions.
REQUIREMENTS
- Take direction from Flynn Management; work collaboratively with other Flynn staff, as required.
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Availability and flexibility to work nights and weekends based on performance schedule.
- Be able and willing to work all shows, all genres, including music concerts.
- Ability to follow protocol and remain calm during an emergency.
- Ability to supervise Ushers, Bar/Concessions, and Merchandiser.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, etc. for extended periods, lift up to 30 lbs., and occasionally use stepstool or small ladder.
- Ability to communicate effectively with Ushers, Box Office Manager, Stage Manager, and Flynn Staff.
- Positive, engaging personality, and professional appearance.
- Possess excellent customer service skills to help ensure our patrons have a positive experience.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Basic math and computer skills.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
- Ushers
- Bar/Concessions staff
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
- From Flynn Management, work collaboratively with other Flynn staff, as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Possess excellent customer service skills to help ensure our patrons have a positive experience.
- Ability to use good judgment and make timely decisions in situations that may require quick thought and action.
- Demonstrate and maintain a high level of responsibility and accountability.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and effectively manage a large gathering of people.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- Two years’ relevant experience preferred.
- Forward-facing customer service highly desirable.
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This general outline illustrates the type of work that characterizes the Job Classification. It is not an all-encompassing statement of the specific duties, responsibilities and qualifications of individual positions assigned to the classification.
Come Curious.
The Flynn invites everyone to imagine, create, and connect through the power of live performance. From our historic Main Stage and FlynnSpace in downtown Burlington, Vermont, to classrooms across the state, to performances staged in the everyday places where people live, work, and play, we're building a vibrant Vermont where curiosity leads, everyone belongs, and the arts open new ways of seeing, dreaming, and being.
Our 2025–2030 strategic plan focuses our work on five priorities: cultivating creative learning across all ages; meeting people where they are with performances in unexpected places; partnering with artists to create and present ambitious new work; serving as a convener and collaborator across Vermont's creative sector; and stewarding our beloved historic theatre as a welcoming home for excellence and access.
We are committed to representation, access, dialogue, community, and education, and to building an inclusive, accessible, and imaginative arts environment where everyone can see themselves reflected and feel a sense of belonging.
Founded as a nonprofit in 1980, The Flynn restored a 1930 Art Deco landmark recognized as one of the country's ten most significant Art Deco restoration projects. Today, more than 200,000 people each year experience world-class artists in music, dance, theater, and comedy on our stages, including the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, now in its 43rd year.
Founded
1980
Company size
11-50 employees
Industry
Performing Arts
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Burlington, VT
Come Curious.
The Flynn invites everyone to imagine, create, and connect through the power of live performance. From our historic Main Stage and FlynnSpace in downtown Burlington, Vermont, to classrooms across the state, to performances staged in the everyday places where people live, work, and play, we're building a vibrant Vermont where curiosity leads, everyone belongs, and the arts open new ways of seeing, dreaming, and being.
Our 2025–2030 strategic plan focuses our work on five priorities: cultivating creative learning across all ages; meeting people where they are with performances in unexpected places; partnering with artists to create and present ambitious new work; serving as a convener and collaborator across Vermont's creative sector; and stewarding our beloved historic theatre as a welcoming home for excellence and access.
We are committed to representation, access, dialogue, community, and education, and to building an inclusive, accessible, and imaginative arts environment where everyone can see themselves reflected and feel a sense of belonging.
Founded as a nonprofit in 1980, The Flynn restored a 1930 Art Deco landmark recognized as one of the country's ten most significant Art Deco restoration projects. Today, more than 200,000 people each year experience world-class artists in music, dance, theater, and comedy on our stages, including the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, now in its 43rd year.
Founded
1980
Company size
11-50 employees
Industry
Performing Arts
Org type
Nonprofit
Headquarters
Burlington, VT