The Grant Park Orchestral Association in Chicago, Illinois seeks a full-time Front of House Manager for the 2017 season of the Grant Park Music Festival (GPMF). The Front of House Manager will report to the Patron Services Manager. The Front of House Manager is the leader of the Festival's Front of House team of ushers and volunteers and works to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience for the more than 300,000 patrons who visit the Festival each summer. Qualified candidates for this position will have extensive team leadership experience, an appreciation for a wide variety of music/performance genres, and a demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced work environment.
 
KEY DUTIES

• Manage front of house needs for over 70 concerts, 50 open rehearsals, and numerous ancillary events.
• Manage the hiring, scheduling, training, and supervision of usher staff of 40.
• Oversee implementation/enforcement of venue policies (including ticketing, seating, and security).
• Coordinate performance logistics with other venue personnel/departments (including security, custodial, maintenance, electricians, stage crew, etc.).
• Conduct routine performance/rehearsal venue operations (including the movement of signage, boxes, programs, stanchions, tables, chairs, etc.) and other general labor duties.

MINIMUM CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of three years as a team leader in a customer service and/or audience management role.
• Demonstrated communication skills: ability to handle challenging situations with grace, diplomacy, and professionalism; ability to communicate clearly and effectively in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs; ability to work outdoors, at times in inclement weather; ability to stand/walk for up to six hours at a time.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, continuously changing, and sometimes extremely loud environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel, and Outlook) and computer tasks.

DESIRED CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience using Tessitura or other CRM/database software
• Experience scheduling event teams of 30+ people
• Crowd management experience
• Live entertainment/music industry experience
• Understanding of classical music repertoire

COMPENSATION/SCHEDULE

• $17 - $19/hour, commensurate with experience; 40 hours per week, typically afternoon – late evening. This position is non-exempt.
• Weekend and holiday availability is required.
• Position Start Date: April 2017 (specific start date to be determined by mutual agreement)

THE ORGANIZATION
Entering its 83rd season in 2017, the Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) is the nation’s only remaining free outdoor summer classical music series, and is dedicated to making live, high-caliber symphonic performance accessible to Chicagoans of all ages, backgrounds, and means. Featuring the Grammy®-nominated Grant Park Orchestra under the baton of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and the award-winning Grant Park Chorus, led by Director Christopher Bell, the Festival annually offers a 10-week season of concerts, artistic development initiatives, radio broadcasts, and community education and outreach programs, sharing the enrichment of symphonic music with nearly 800,000 people each year.
 
The Festival recently adopted a new Long-Range Plan designed to guide its growth and ensure its continued relevancy through its 100th season in 2034. Collaboratively developed over 18 months by a broad range of stakeholders—including key members of the Festival’s orchestra and chorus, staff, Board, and donor/patron base as well as other community representatives—the Plan establishes the following major goals for the ensuing three-to-five years:

• To be essential to the vitality of the city, connecting people of all backgrounds to symphonic music.
• To thrill audiences with outstanding musical experiences not found anywhere else.
• To preserve the Festival as a unique cultural asset.

For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.