Guest Associate

Fine Arts Building; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fine Arts Building is seeking dynamic individuals to join our Front of House team for events at 410 S. Michigan Ave in Chicago. You will provide exceptional guest service, greet guests, handle admissions, and assist with concessions and merchandise as needed.

Ideal candidates have strong cash handling skills, can adapt in a fast-paced environment, and are available evenings and weekends. Training and cross-department opportunities are provided in a supportive, inclusive setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service (theater or events preferred).
• Experience in box office, audience services, or arts administration is encouraged.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Setup and strike for events.
• Assisting with will-call in the box office.
• Ticket sales and exchanges.
• Greet guests and provide information.
• Scan tickets at entry.
• Sell concessions and maintain bar areas.
• Sell event and building merchandise.
• Attend FOH trainings and meetings.
• Perform other FOH duties as assigned.

Skills

Guest service

Cash handling

Customer focus

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Fine Arts Building, a historic landmarked building located at 410 S. Michigan Ave, home of the Studebaker Theater (a 600-seat proscenium), is seeking dynamic individuals to join our Front of House team. We are building a talent pool to support our company’s growth and ensure our company is representative of the communities we serve. We view our employees and co-workers as equals who deserve our respect. It is important that we create and foster an affirming space for our employees to be seen as their full selves.

The right candidates will provide exceptional guest service at all times as they offer the first impression of our theater. Candidates should have the ability to assess and react quickly to guests’ needs, have superior cash handling skills, and have a genuine passion for theater. This position will allow the right candidate the opportunity to work within multiple departments of theater management.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Front of House Manager while under the supervision of the General Manager, you will be cross-trained in multiple front-of-house positions, but your primary areas of responsibility will vary depending on your scheduled shift. These duties include the following:

• Event setup and nightly FOH strike
• Assisting with will-call in the box office
• Ticket sales and exchanges
• Greeting guests
• Scanning tickets
• Selling concessions and bar upkeep
• Selling event and building merchandise
• Availability for front-of-house quarterly meetings and trainings
• Other FOH duties as assigned

Schedule

We present live theater and performance. As a rental company, we are guided by the overall schedule that is provided by the clients of the theater. Since FAB/Studebaker Theater does not have a dedicated member base and only infrequently produces its own events, our theater schedule depends heavily on the schedule of our renters. This means that the Associate will be required to provide the following availability:

• Evenings and Weekends
• Some holidays
• Fine Arts Building Second Fridays community events (once a month)
• Open House Chicago (annually, generally in October)

Shifts

• Shifts are offered on a monthly basis, and associates are scheduled a month in advance.
• Associate availability is requested by the 15th of every preceding month.
• Associate shifts typically range between 3 and 5 hours, and associates work, on average, between 3-6 shifts per week.

Candidates with previous experience in Customer Service, Box Office, Audience Services, or Arts Administration are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Age 21+
• BASSET Certified (or willing to become certified upon hiring)
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs
• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, bend, serve food and drink for extended periods (at least 4 hours)
• Ability to climb stairs and multiple levels of the theater
• Candidates should possess the ability to work calmly and clearly in high-paced settings as a supportive member of a team
• Flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing policies and procedures.
• Ability to attend all scheduled dates of training

Ideal Candidates

• Value accessibility, supporting public audiences who will express a range and variation of physical ability: wheelchairs, assistive listening devices, canes, walkers, blind, deaf, captions, ASL
• Will elevate anti-racist practices and assist our team in dismantling the systemic racism perpetuated within arts and culture
• Passionately brings an appreciation of inclusivity to their role, peers, and our theater audiences, while identifying barriers that prevent full, human participation
• Extend grace, patience, and compassion as required by the start-up environment. You are joining a brand new company that is still building and growing - you must be excited by that.