Front of House Leads - The 5th Avenue Theatre

The 5th Avenue Theatre is seeking Front of House Leads to join our team.





About The 5th

The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of America's leading musical theater companies. We enrich the community we love with the art form we love—giving the Pacific Northwest a front-row seat to original powerhouse productions that go on to light up marquees and audiences all the way to Broadway. From the page to the stage, we bring passion and epic scale to every musical we create. With big talent. Bigger-than-life productions. And did we mention dazzle? As a nonprofit theater company and our region's largest performing arts employer, we spread the joy of great musicals with people of all ages across our region and state.

Each year, we reach more than 75,000 young people through our nationally acclaimed education programs. Programs designed to develop new musicals ensure that the next generation of great musicals will be there to tell the stories that captivate tomorrow's audiences. On the national stage, we are a leading voice for the power of this American art form to lift the human spirit.

For more information about The 5th Avenue Theatre, its season and its programs, please visit www.5thavenue.org



Land Acknowledgement

The 5th Avenue Theatre and the communities we serve are on the land and waterways of the Coast Salish people who have continuously inhabited our region since time immemorial. They are the original storytellers and theater-makers of this place we call home.

We also acknowledge and honor the Tribal nations across Washington State and the many Indigenous peoples from across the country who also live and work in the Seattle area. As we step into this new period of The 5th's history, we hope to honor their legacies and bring greater attention to their continuing fight for equity and recognition.

At The 5th Avenue Theatre, we are actively working towards goals as an anti-racist organization, you can learn more about our work and statement here: https://www.5thavenue.org/about/anti-racism-at-the-5th/



Position Summary:

The Front of House Lead at The 5th Avenue Theatre helps to assure that Theatre guests receive outstanding customer service to help make their theater experience positive and memorable. The FOH Lead helps to support the Front of House Managers with all operations. The FOH Lead ensures all FOH staff (Head Ushers, Performance Utility Team Members and Volunteer Ushers) are trained and knowledgeable about The 5th Avenue Theatre, pertinent show information, and hospitality expectations. This is a lead position, and the successful candidate will be required to juggle operational logistics, staff management, crowd management, best hospitality practices, and exemplary customer service.

The FOH Lead is a seasonal position that works the theatrical season (currently Winter-Summer) working a part time schedule during the season.





Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as an Assistant to the Front of House Manager on Duty (MOD) during performances and public events at The 5th Avenue Theatre.

• Support and assist in all training of the FOH staff & volunteers before each season and/or production, as necessary.

• Respond to Customer Service Issues and report out for every performance, developing a plan for dealing with any and all anticipated and known guest issues prior to the guests’ arrival.

• Motivate and educate all paid and volunteer usher staff on best hospitality practices.

• Brainstorm and implement “surprise and delight” initiatives for each production.

• Actively manage all lines (both outside and inside the venue) with a keen eye to congestion issues and guests’ needs.

• Represent, at all times, The 5th Avenue Theatre’s core values of excellence, creativity, team, kindness, and wow moments. Embody The 5th’s brand promise to “Hit the High Note.” Motivate staff to do the same.

• Along with the House Managers, proactively assist and resolve any and all guest issues in a timely, courteous, and calm manner (i.e., ticketing issues, seating issues, accessibility needs, etc.)

• Help ensure that the lobby and auditorium are presented in its best possible way to support a positive guest experience.

• Assist with special event set up/break down.

• Other duties as assigned.



Safety Responsibilities

• Fully understand and be able to implement the Theatre’s Emergency Response Plan, along with all Covid Compliance initiatives and policies.

• If Front of House Manager is not present, serve as the Theatre Incident Commander in the unlikely event of an emergency during an event.

• Assist the Front of House Manager with emergency preparedness and response.

• Maintain vigilance for security issues and respond as appropriate.



Essential knowledge and Qualifications:

• Professionalism is a key requirement. During performances, the FOH Lead represent The 5th Avenue, and this role is looked upon to act in a professional manner and demonstrate good leadership. There are some attire expectations that can be discussed at interview stage.

• Demonstrated experience in any hospitality field (e.g., restaurant, hotel, or front of house). Or a combination of education and/or experience which provides an equivalent background to perform the work required. Supervisory or “lead” experience preferred.

• Proficiency in PC-based computers, particularly MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

• Available to work a varied schedule of weekdays, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays corresponding to The 5th Avenue Theatre’s performance schedule.

• Able to work effectively and independently as well as in a collaborative, interdependent team environment and to juggle multiple tasks and priorities with grace, tact and humor.

• A passion for the performing arts, excellent customer service, and best hospitality practices.

• Consistent, guest-centric, fun, spirited, kind, approachable. A concierge engaging guests and collecting “dots” - bits of information about the guest to personalize future visits.

• Holds self and others accountable for high-quality and successful job performance.

• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner. Shows consistency in words and actions. Models high standards of behavior and ethics.

• Positive, articulate, outgoing, and friendly personality; a sense of humor a plus!

• Able to work in an upbeat and often fast-paced environment.

• Excellent verbal communication skills, including abilities to listen and understand patrons, coworkers and others.

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.

• Comfortable answering guest questions and patience to resolve guest service issues.

• Organizational skills: excellent time management skills, the ability to multi-task, to remain calm and efficient in a busy work environment, and to maintain a high level of attention to detail.

• Ability to lift 40 lbs repetitively.

• Ability to climb stairs as needed.

• Ability to stand for long periods of time, up to the duration of a shift.

• Demonstrated reliability and dependability.

• Ability to supervise and motivate FOH staff during assigned shifts.

• Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.

• CPR and First Aid skills or ability to be trained in these emergency response skills.



Schedule

The Front of House Lead is a part time, seasonal hourly position, with a performance schedule of Tuesday-Sundays. This position may or may not be occupied by two different candidates with a rotating schedule.



Compensation & Benefits:



This position starts at $18-20.50 per hour.



Part Time employees may be eligible for some benefits, depending on regular schedule and hours worked.

Employees also receive two comp tickets to most shows on opening night



Position Reports to: This position reports to the Front of House Manager.



Position Classification: Part Time, Hourly, Non-Exempt



Application information & Timeline:

Applications from those who have been traditionally underrepresented in the theatrical industry are strongly encouraged. We are striving for our staff to be inclusive of a diverse and vibrant community that represents multiple identities, perspectives & influences. To apply, please email a cover letter, resume & 2-3 references by September 15th that explains your qualifications for the position to HumanResources@5thavenue.org.



Please include “Front of House Lead” in the subject line.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting in September until all positions have been filled. It is our goal to have staff in place by early October with trainings happening October through December. Performances & regular scheduled shifts are currently planned to resume in January 2022.



A background check will be required upon offer of position.



The 5th Avenue Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer.



The 5th Avenue will be requiring Covid-19 Vaccinations for all employees as of October, 4th 2021, with considerations for Medical & Religious exemptions.



Work Location:

The 5th Avenue Theatre, located in the Skinner Building at 1326 5th Avenue, in downtown Seattle.
Salary: $18-$20.50