Assistant Cinema Manager

SIFF; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

HSA/FSA

Job summary

SIFF seeks an Assistant Cinema Manager to support daily operations at SIFF Cinema venues in Seattle. The role focuses on leading staff, ensuring clean, safe spaces, and delivering outstanding customer service to patrons, volunteers and staff, while upholding SIFF policies.

The position is full-time (32 hours/week) onsite, reporting to the Senior Manager of Cinema Operations, with training across 30–90 days and ongoing coaching. Benefits accompany this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years managing staff or volunteers in a service setting.
• Strong customer-service orientation with problem-solving skills.
• Experience handling POS transactions and cash reconciliation.
• WA Food Worker card and alcohol server permit or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Lead cinema staff and volunteers to deliver exceptional customer service.
• Oversee concessions operations, inventory, and vendor coordination.
• Conduct safety walkthroughs and ensure clean, safe spaces.
• Coordinate scheduling and attendance using When I Work and report discrepancies.
• Act as on-site escalation point for customer or staff incidents during shifts.
• Support events, festivals, and rentals with operations planning and setup.

Skills

Staff management

Customer service

POS & cash handling

Food worker card

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

POS system

When I Work

Job description

Work Environment:This position will work onsite at SIFF Cinemas in Seattle, WA. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to interact with patrons and coworkers, stand and sit for extended periods, physically assist patrons as needed, and lift up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Mission:SIFF is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit dedicated to the creation of vibrant experiences and spaces that champion film discovery and arts education. Beginning in 1976 with the annual Seattle International Film Festival, then expanding into year-round programming, SIFF envisions a thriving arts ecosystem where film discovery encourages a more empathetic, joyful, and connected world. In its three theaters, SIFF offers screenings and special programs throughout the year. Each role is a reflection of SIFF’s mission and commitment to the community to share vibrant films and help audiences engage in the enjoyment of film.Job Summary:The Assistant Cinema Manager is responsible for supporting cinema management in all aspects of day-to-day operations at SIFF Cinema venues. This position is responsible for ensuring cinemas are operating smoothly including that spaces are kept clean, safe and in good repair, and providing excellent customer service to SIFF customers, guests, volunteers, and staff, all while ensuring SIFF’s policies and procedures are upheld.Full-time, 32 hours per week roleManagement Roles and ResponsibilitiesManage and cultivate positive and consistent customer relations with SIFF Cinema attendeesProvide direct guidance when appropriate to cinema staff to ensure excellent customer service is delivered to patrons and that all assigned tasks during shifts are completedAssist in the hiring and training of SIFF Cinema Floor Staff & LeadsAssist in the implementation of policies, practices, and procedures and coach staff as requiredConduct annual performance reviews with the cinema staffOrder, organize, and receive shipments for concessions and janitorial supplies, inventory concessions supplies report to finance monthly, report discrepancies as neededAssist with building concession strategies, tools, and specials to help drive salesCover Cinema Floor, Lead or House Manager duties, as needed, in the event of a call outAttend planning and feedback meetings with Operations personnel as neededAssist House Managers with set up and operations during festivals, events, and rentals as neededReport to supervisor any deficiencies in facilities or other operational issues. Follow up and act as onsite contact for reported repairsPerform daily venue safety walkthroughs, ensuring entries and exits are clear, remove trash & debris outside the venue, remove stickers & graffiti as neededPerform monthly facilities safety walkthroughs, reporting any issues to cinema management or the Facilities AssistantProvide regular feedback to supervisor and others on the Operations team about cinema needs, issues, and successesOther duties as assignedCinema Roles and ResponsibilitiesAct as the main escalation point for any customer service issues or staff/volunteer incidents during assigned shiftsEnsure staff & volunteers arrive on-time, are given proper breaks, clock in/out and record their time correctly, and have all information and coaching needed to successfully complete their tasksTrack ticket sales and schedule open shifts in When I Work, as needed, based on the scheduling proceduresBalance box office and concession tills and safe change, while investigating discrepanciesTurn on/off automated cinema projection equipment and perform basic adjustments, during shifts when a Projectionist is not scheduledEnsure cinema is secured and alarm is set at the end of the night when on cinema shiftAct as point person in any emergency situations; following SIFF’s Safety & Emergency Protocols to ensure the safety of everyone within the cinema spaceResponsible for properly reporting any safety or emergency incidents to SIFF management teamAssist with answering and managing box office inbox inquiriesAssist on vendor site visit and coordination with cinema management or the Facilities AssistantManage and track inventorySupport & GuidanceDirect supervision will be provided by the Senior Manager of Cinema Operations, full training over 30 day period, with additional skill building over 90 day period, regular check ins as needed, bi-weekly supervision meetings for first 90 days then monthly goal setting meetingsMonthly meetings with supervisors to support day-to-day business operations, assistance with safety compliance, building policy and procedures, provide coaching and feedback as neededSkip level support meetings quarterly with the Director of Cinema Operations to ensure good relationship development with supervisor and discuss long term career goals as well as ideas for improvement in cinemas and operations deptHR support as needed as well as training and practice in crucial conversations, review of cinema and organizational policy and procedures, RESJ focused training including de-escalation and anti-bias trainingRequired Skills/Abilities:2+ years experience managing staff and/or volunteers2+ years experience in customer service2+ years experience in POS and cash handlingCurrent WA state Food worker card and WA MAST 12 Alcohol Server Permit or ability to obtainDesired Skills/Abilities:Experience in event and venue managementExperience in concessions / food service salesExperience in upscale hospitality settingsNon-profit arts work experiencePassion or interest in filmEducation and Experience:High School Diploma or GEDBenefits and Expectations:Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, sick leave, and paid holidaysAccess to SIFF programming and events hosted by neighboring Arts organizationsAny offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certificationsTo Be Considered:Please apply to this job posting directly at siff.netAttach your resume detailing all relevant professional and lived experience to the roleAttach a cover letter stating why you’re interested in SIFF and how your professional experience qualifies you to be successful in the roleNote: Our hiring teams appreciate and hold more value for self-written cover letters. AI generated cover letters are easy to spot and prevent us from getting to know the real youAll attachments must be in PDF formatDisclosures:AAP/EEO Statement: SIFF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications.Benefits: Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, sick leave, and paid holidays.E04JI8001sq9409f245