The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks a full-time Patron Services Assistant for the 2023 Festival season (April – August 2023).  

Join the high-performing, collaborative team of arts professionals at the Grant Park Music Festival. The Patron Services Assistant is an integral part of the Festival’s team, dedicated to delivering excellent customer service to our community of loyal and enthusiastic music-lovers. 

We seek an energetic, detail-oriented, problem solver who is eager to connect with people from all walks of life. If you are interested in gaining valuable experience in arts administration and making a big impact by helping the Festival grow relationships with our audiences, we’d love to hear from you.  

Previous seasonal Patron Services Assistants have gone on to work for some of Chicago’s premiere arts and cultural institutions, including Goodman Theater, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Steppenwolf Theater, the Museum of Science and Industry, and more. Candidates with previous box office experience and/or those with Tessitura experience are highly encouraged to apply.

KEY DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS 

• Expertly staff the Patron Service Center (box office) for each Festival concert and help to create a welcoming atmosphere in a fast-paced environment.  
• Process patron orders/requests quickly and accurately – in person, over the phone, and via email.  
• Maintain database hygiene standards when updating patron records.  
• Perform routine clerical duties in an organized fashion: prepare mailings, answer the telephone, and draft correspondence.  
• Assist with developing initiatives that build meaningful relationships between the Festival and its audiences.  

 
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS 

• A minimum of one year of customer service experience or one year of work in a similar high-public-contact field.
• Previous box office experience is highly desirable; experience with Tessitura ticketing software is a major plus.  
• Culturally competent and able to communicate in an engaging and effective manner with people of all backgrounds.  
• The demonstrated ability to handle unexpected situations with grace and diplomacy.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel and Outlook) and basic computer tasks.  
• Ability to shift/transport up to 40 lbs; ability to work outdoors during evening performances at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and possibly in inclement weather.  
• Don’t fit all of the qualifications listed above, but feel passionate about the position? Please apply anyway! We are eager to work with enthusiastic and proactive people. You never know, you may just be the right fit for the role. 

 
COMPENSATION/SCHEDULE 

• $16.00 - $18.00/hour, commensurate with experience.  
• This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and non-exempt; some overtime can be expected.  
• During the ten-week Festival season (June 14, 2023 – August 19, 2023), nights (generally Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and weekends (generally Saturdays) are required; two days off are scheduled each week.   
• Position Start Date: April 2023, specific date to be determined by mutual agreement.  

MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINE POLICY 

The Grant Park Orchestral Association (the Association) has implemented a policy requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This policy is consistent with our duty to maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, to eliminate any direct threats to the health or safety of individuals in the workplace, and to safeguard the health of our staff, musicians, patrons, and the community at large. This policy will comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and is based on guidance from Chicago Department of Public Health, the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
 
Those seeking an exemption from this requirement for medical or religious reasons should complete a request for accommodation form here and submit to Hannah Lehman, Chief Financial Officer (hannah.lehman [at] gpmf.org). 

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL 

For nearly 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert. 

The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by law. 

The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar, along with Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President and CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais. 
 
For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org