Front of House Supervisor - McCarter Theatre Center

POSITION: Front of House Supervisor 

DEPARTMENT: Operations 

REPORTS TO: Director of Operations 

LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to our administrative offices located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ. Work schedule will be planned in coordination with the performance calendar with regular weekend, evening, and occasional holiday hours; regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm. 

START DATE: This position will be filled as soon as possible.

POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
McCarter Theatre Center is seeking an enthusiastic Front of House Supervisor to lead and facilitate Front of House operations, creating a highly engaging and welcoming atmosphere for our patrons. This position will have a core range of responsibilities, including supporting a passionate Front of House staff, managing food and beverage, oversight of the volunteer usher program, leadership of patron access programs and related ADA compliance, managing day-to-day operations and scheduling, budgeting and tracking income and expenses, maintaining appropriate safety procedures, and collaborating with McCarter staff and outside vendors to best support and promote McCarter events. 

Essential Functions & Duties: 
• Lead the part-time and volunteer Front of House team, fostering a positive culture of hospitality and providing an optimal customer experience in an inclusive, dynamic, and welcoming space.
• Oversee food and beverage operations to maximize patron experience and profit. Accurately budget, track income and expenses, and collaborate with the Senior Food & Drink Advisor on drink offerings. 
• Manage liquor and concessions inventory, order supplies, and organize storage. 
• Quickly address issues related to food and beverage quality control, inventory, staffing, equipment malfunctions, and other service-related problems. 
• Handle merchandise for Presented Events, including advancing, counting in/out, and settlement. 
• Coordinate the volunteer usher program with Princeton University’s Usher Program Coordinator, focusing on recruiting, growing, and sustaining a skilled and friendly usher corps, ensuring volunteers feel valued and appreciated. 
• Oversee part-time staff schedules, handle time-off requests, cover last-minute absences, delegate roles, and recruit, train, coach, and onboard new staff according to McCarter policies, while consistently distributing relevant performance information to the Front of House team. 
• Process employee timesheets, prepare weekly payroll reconciliations, and collaborate with the Events & Operations Manager to facilitate information and reports for interdepartmental charges, outside rentals, and special events. 
• Work evening and weekend afternoon hours during performances and events, acting as House Manager or supporting the bar team as needed. 
• Develop processes and policies to meet strategic goals for Front of House, focusing on patron interaction, food and beverage, parking, and safety. 
• Serve as the staff point person for Patron Access programs and ADA compliance, designated as the ADA Coordinator. 
• Stay informed about current trends and best practices in front of house operations through professional development, networking, and ongoing education. 
• Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and code of conduct policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff and guest artists. 
• Participate in the work to make McCarter an anti-racist theater. Actively seek ways to improve our work practices to make the Operations department more equitable and inclusive, while upholding and exhibiting our stated values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”

Supervisory Responsibilities: 
• Supervise a team of approximately 50 part-time employees including Bar staff, and Front of House team members, as well as managing the volunteer usher cohort. 
• Responsible for fostering an environment that promotes excellence in teamwork and customer service, as well as creating/approving weekly schedules and timecards for payroll. 
• Conduct regular feedback and coaching conversations while providing ongoing training and development opportunities for staff.

Qualifications: 
• 2+ years management experience overseeing a team of staff 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering positive working relationships with colleagues and artists across various departments 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 
• Ability to delegate effectively to a diverse crew 
• Solid diplomacy, teamwork, and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to work, adjust, and make swift decisions under pressure 
• Proven ability to set priorities, work collaboratively, and take initiative 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Square (POS), staffing/payroll solutions, and CRM/ticketing systems (preferably Tessitura); experience with ArtsVision is a plus 
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work harmoniously with individuals from diverse backgrounds, personalities, and work styles, always approaching challenges with optimism, civility, and a solutions-oriented approach. 
• Exhibit a critical consciousness and genuine interest in promoting equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace values and practices while working with individuals of diverse needs, personalities, and work styles, and employing an optimistic and solution-oriented mindset towards fostering inclusivity and support within the team environment. 
• Final candidate must successfully complete a background check.

Preferred Qualifications: 
• Bartending and/or barista experience with strong knowledge of alcoholic beverages and cocktail menus 
• Experience in artist merchandise sales and inventory management 
• CPR and First Aid training 
• TIPS certification 
• ServSafe certification 
• The ideal candidate will embody an enthusiasm for theatre and live performing arts, with particular interest in supporting and elevating the work of global artists across many disciplines 
• Experience with the administration and management of performing arts institutions and theatre 

Work Environment: 
• Guided by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff. 
• Work will primarily be completed in a shared office space, subject to HVAC cooling and heating, as well as lobbies and theatre spaces. Expect potential for moderate to high noise environments depending on production elements, as well as varying light conditions, including working in very low-light settings and possible strobe effects.
• This position is required to be on-site and in attendance for performances and events, with flexibility to work nights, weekends and some holidays, as scheduled in advance. 
• This position entails extended periods of standing, manual dexterity for operating office equipment, and the ability to read and interpret documents, while occasionally requiring lifting, carrying, and/or maneuvering objects up to 50 pounds; engaging in repetitive tasks walking, bending, and reaching. 
• Employees may be asked to use a personal cell phone in order to access authenticator apps and related software necessary for work credentials/multi-factor authentication (MFA). Applicants should be comfortable using their personal devices for these purposes as part of their job responsibilities, as workarounds cannot be guaranteed in order to access certain platforms. 

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of McCarter

TO APPLY Please email jobs@mccarter.org with your name and “Front of House Supervisor” in the subject line and include a cover letter and resume. Do also mention where you heard about the position. We look forward to learning more about you! 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT 
McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. As such, McCarter seeks team members who: contribute to a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to support an expansive artistic vision; are committed to engaging in ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work collectively and individually; value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and an openness to continuous personal and professional growth. 
We encourage all candidates to apply, even if they do not currently meet all the qualifications. We know there are great candidates who may not have all the qualifications listed above but possess intuitive knowledge or other fully transferable skills. If that is you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship. We also encourage candidates who do not live within commuting distance to apply; We are eager to tell you about the area, which includes many communities and towns outside of Princeton. 

McCarter Theatre Center is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in the application and hiring process for individuals with disabilities if needed and requested. To request disability accommodation, please contact (609) 258-6500 and connect with Human Resources.

Salary: PAY: $58,000 - $62,000; Full-time; Annual; Exempt BENEFITS INCLUDE: Medical, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and holiday time; flexible spending and health savings accounts; employer-sponsored life, long-term, and short-term disability insurance; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match, access to free parking, and various perks.