Theatre Operations Manager

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is seeking a Theatre Manager to oversee all Front of House operations for performances and public events. You will lead FOH staff, volunteers, and contractors, ensure safety and exceptional patron experiences, and coordinate with multiple departments to deliver smooth productions.

This full-time, in-person role primarily covers evenings and weekends, with duties including staff training, event planning, and maintaining high service standards for artists,

Qualifications

• Five to ten years' experience in a FOH leadership role at a live performance venue.
• Fulltime in-person position; evenings and weekends required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with patrons, artists, and staff.
• Ability to stand/walk 2+ hours, lift up to 50 lbs, and assist in emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead FOH operations during La Jolla Music Society performances at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center.
• Oversee staff, volunteers, contractors (ushers, concessions, security, valet, janitorial) and on-site vendors.
• Coordinate with Rentals, Guest Services, Production, Marketing, Development, Learning & Engagement, Facilities, and Rentals.
• Conduct pre-event site walks; manage house opening and timing, including intermissions and late seating.
• Lead pre/post performance FOH briefings and provide clear instructions to staff and volunteers.
• Ensure contractors comply with contract terms; address concerns with LJMS staff.
• Monitor FOH activity to maintain patron flow and operational consistency.
• Coordinate with Patron Services Director and team to resolve on-site ticketing questions.

Skills

FOH leadership

Staff supervision

Customer service

Event coordination

Job description

Summary

The Theatre Manager oversees all Front of House (FOH) operations for performances and public activities at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. This role ensures an exceptional, safe, and welcoming experience for patrons, artists, vendors and clients, while supervising FOH staff and volunteers. The Theatre Manager serves as the administrative head of the FOH department-managing personnel, FOH training, scheduling logistics, on-site vendors, theater safety, while upholding operational standards to support La Jolla Society's mission and goals.

JOB DESCRIPTION

THEATRE MANAGEMENT

• Lead FOH operations during all La Jolla Music Society performances at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, including overseeing performer related functions of staff, volunteers, and contractors including House Manager(s), Security Supervisor, ushers, concessions, valet, and janitorial teams.
• Provide support and manage FOH operations for select nonperformance events, such as the State of The Conrad, Holiday Open House, Learning & Engagement events, Invited Rehearsals, Development events, and more.
• In coordination with the Rentals Department, manage FOH operations at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center for all public facing performances and events.
• Coordinate streamlined FOH activity and build rapport with multiple departments, including Guest Services, Production, Marketing, Development, Learning & Engagement, Facilities, and Rentals, to ensure smooth execution of events.
• Conduct pre event site walks to ensure the venue is performance ready and relay any issues to the appropriate departments.
• Coordinate house opening, ensuring that performance start times, intermissions, late seating, and special production requirements are relayed to staff and public, as necessary.
• Lead pre and post performance FOH briefings, deliver clear, concise, and friendly instructions to staff and volunteers.
• Ensure that contractors, including concessions, valet, and janitorial teams are operating in compliance with contract terms while onsite. Work with LJMS staff to promptly address any concerns or deficiencies.
• Monitor FOH team activity during events and assist where needed to maintain smooth patron flow and operational consistency.
• With House Manager, coordinate with Patron Services Director, Manager, and team to resolve onsite questions, issues, and situations regarding ticketing.
• Address patron complaints, deescalate conflicts between patrons and other patrons/staff, and follow LJMS procedures to address unauthorized behavior and/or performance disruptions.
• Oversee artist merchandise sales and book signings, including supervising set up and tear down, crowd control, and artist safety.
• Maintain order in the house and lobby until the audience has exited.
• Responsible for securing public areas postevents. Coordinating with onsite staff and vendors to safely secure the venue, secure public areas, and close facility post event.

SAFETY & EMERGENCY READINESS

• Maintain up to date knowledge of health and safety standards and handle reasonable accommodation and accessibility requests in a timely and discrete manner.
• Coordinate ongoing customer service, safety and accessibility training for FOH staff.
• Maintain and update building emergency manuals and safety documentation.
• Communicate with Public Safety, campus or municipal agencies, and security partners as needed.
• Respond to emergencies, notify appropriate teams, and coordinate with production if a performancehold is required.
• Act as FOH spokesperson to onsite audience members, in case of a delay in show or cancellation.
• Ensure all public areas are in good repair and function properly. Work with Facilities Team to address any issues.

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Recruit, hire, onboard, train, coach, and evaluate FOH employees and volunteer ushers, including direct supervision of the House Manager.
• Oversee the volunteer usher program, including maintaining the usher roster, scheduling, updating usher manual, and planning Annual Usher Meeting & trainings.
• Develop a plan to grow and diversify the usher pool.
• Attend inperson and/or virtual weekly "MAPLE" meetings via Zoom or Teams, in which crossdepartmental teams coordinate plans for upcoming events.
• For every event, prepare and submit nightly FOH reports including detailed notes on patron issues, incidents, and operational follow ups.
• Responsible for adding FOH needs in the event planning database ArtsVision. Proactively reviews all events in ArtsVision and follows up with staff to ensure all relevant information is entered.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Five to ten years' experience in a FOH leadership role at a live performance venue.
• The Theatre Manager is a fulltime "inperson" position and is required to work primarily evenings and weekends. Hours will consist of both event hours and office hours. The exact balance of event hours vs office hours vary week to week based on the concert schedule and event programming.
• Demonstrate accountability, integrity, initiative, and commitment to La Jolla Music Society's mission.
• Able to communicate clearly and respectfully with volunteers, patrons, artists, clients, staff and management.
• Display exemplary interpersonal skills with many types of personalities. Exhibit a high level of customer service ensuring all constituents are treated with dignity and respect.
• Previous experience using ArtsVision, or other event database software, is a plus.
• Adapts appropriately to all service situations. Handle challenges gracefully in a fast paced environment.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2+ hours), lift up to 50 lbs, and assist others in an emergency.
• Other duties as assigned.