Shift Lead

Edge of Elsewhere; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary tickets

Paid Time Off

Medical, Vision, Dental

Job summary

Edge of Elsewhere in Somerville, MA invites a Shift Lead to run the floor, guide a team of Guest Experience Associates, and act as Manager-on-Duty in the Venue Manager's absence. You will open, close, and adjust staffing to keep operations moving and the guest experience engaging.

The role emphasizes warm leadership, calm decision-making, and hands-on supervision in a bustling, immersive environment with events, puzzles, and storytelling.

Qualifications

• Some experience in a guest-facing role (guiding, hosting, hospitality, attractions, or live events) and a track record of leading or mentoring others.
• Comfort being the senior person on the floor and making calls in the moment.
• A warm, steady presence that puts guests and staff at ease.
• Ability to give clear, kind direction and keep a team on track.

Responsibilities

• Open, close the venue, and reset the floor to keep shifts on schedule.
• Act as Manager-on-Duty when the Venue Manager is away.
• Lead and support Guest Experience Associates on shift, answering questions and maintaining morale.
• Handle first-line guest issues with warmth and good judgment; elevate when needed.
• Monitor guest flow, timing, and immersion across the floor to ensure a seamless experience.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new team members.

Skills

Guest experience

Leadership

Calm under pressure

Clear direction

Flexible schedule

Mobility

POS familiarity

Immersive entertainment

Tools

POS systems

Job description

Edge of Elsewhere is a new, 12,000 square-foot immersive world of art, puzzles, and mysteries, coming to Somerville in Fall 2026. Inside, players collaborate to solve puzzles and complete storylines as they explore a wide variety of themed spaces and interactions.

The Role

Shift Leads keep Edge of Elsewhere running smoothly. As the senior person on the floor when the Venue Manager is away, you’ll open and close the venue, set your team up for the day, help lead a team of Guest Experience Associates, and keep the guest experience feeling seamless and engaging. It’s a hands-on, lead-from-the-floor role, and a natural next step for someone who’s ready to guide a team.

Who We’re Looking For

You're the person a team looks to when things get busy or something unexpected comes up. You've worked a floor before - a guide, host, server, associate - and you're ready to take responsibility for a whole shift, not just your own station. You give clear direction without losing your warmth, stay calm when it's hectic, and know when to solve a problem yourself versus loop in senior team members. Above all, you care about the experience: guests leave satisfied, and your team leaves proud of what they pulled off together.

Responsibilities

As a Shift Lead, you’ll run the floor day to day and take care of both guests and the team on shift. Day to day, you will:

• Open, close, and reset the venue, and keep shifts running on schedule.
• Act as Manager-on-Duty when the Venue Manager is away, and be the first point of contact for questions and decisions.
• Help assign floor positions and keep coverage balanced as the day changes.
• Lead and support Guest Experience Associates on shift - answer their questions, jump in where needed, and keep morale up.
• Handle first-line guest issues with warmth and good judgment, and elevate to the Venue Manager when needed.
• Keep the guest experience feeling seamless; watch flow, timing, and immersion across the floor.
• Watch for guest and staff safety, respond calmly in the moment, and document what happened.
• Help onboard and train new Guest Experience Associates.

A Note on Growth

Shift Lead is a natural step up from Guest Experience Associate, and a step toward venue management. If you’re looking to grow your leadership here, this is a great place to do it.

Must-Have Skills & Attributes

• Some experience in a guest-facing role - guiding, hosting, hospitality, retail, attractions, or live events - ideally with experience leading or mentoring others.
• Comfort being the senior person on the floor and making calls in the moment.
• A warm, steady presence that puts both guests and staff at ease.
• Ability to give clear, kind direction and keep a team on track.
• Comfort staying calm and organized in a busy, high-energy environment.
• Comfortable being on your feet and moving throughout the venue for full shifts.
• Willingness to help with light cleaning and resets as part of every shift.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business needs, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays in Somerville, MA.
• Comfort with technology and point-of-sale / ticketing tools, and a willingness to learn new systems.
• Enthusiasm for immersive or location-based entertainment.

Other Desirable, But Not Necessary, Skills & Experience

• Experience as a shift lead, team lead, key holder, or supervisor.
• Background in immersive or themed entertainment, escape rooms, theater, museums, attractions, or live events.
• Comfort coaching or training newer staff.
• Interest in growing toward venue management.

Start Date

• Late October to early November.

We do not expect every candidate to have experience in all of the above. We are looking for someone with the warmth, care, and curiosity to learn quickly in the areas that are new.

Compensation & Benefits

• $55,000 to $60,000/yr commensurate with experience.
• Complimentary tickets and staff perks.
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical, vision, & dental coverage
• Retirement Savings Plan
• And more!