Our Values
Belonging: Portland Playhouse works to be radically inclusive onstage and offstage. We serve together. We rise together. We lead with kindness.
Gratitude: We are here by the grace and generosity of our community. We honor, join with, and are guided by those who came before us as well as current and future generations.
Courage: We challenge the status quo; we take risks. We listen and learn with an openness to change.
Job Title: Front of House Manager
Reports to: Producing Director
Direct Reports: Front of House team (3-6 people)
Commitment: Part Time, semi-seasonal
September-December; February-June (theatre season): 25-30 hours/week
January: 15-25 hours/week
July, August (dark): <15 hours/week
Compensation: $20/hour
Main purpose of job:
Front of House Manager is a public facing management position. This manager interacts with our audience, community stakeholders, donors, volunteers, and is responsible for welcoming our community into the space and extending our values to all who enter. The Front of House Manager oversees the day to day operation of welcoming patrons into the theatre, ticketing check in, raffle sales, seating accommodations, and close-out after the performance ends.
General Responsibilities:
● Provide excellent customer service at in-person performances and events. Manage an environment of care that welcomes our community into the space and extends our values to all who enter.
● Develop and maintain detailed documentation and training material on Front of House policies and procedures.
● Attend recurring meetings such as weekly staff meetings (Wednesdays at 10:00am), 1st rehearsals of productions, and invited dress rehearsals.
● Work at least 5 performance shifts per week (could be up to 8 shows/week - ie. 5 out of 8 - shifts are on average 5 hours long).
● You can expect to work an additional 3-4 hours a week outside of the staff meetings and performance shifts.
● Schedule, manage, and communicate with the FOH staffing team (2-3 staff per show), and manage the FOH volunteers (2-3 per show).
● Partner with the Development team on volunteer orientations.
Front of House:
● Coordinate and work closely with Concessions Manager
● Create, distribute, and schedule Front of House Associates for shifts
● Schedule and Lead Front of House Associates Orientations and Debriefs
● Train & supervise the Front of House Associates on applicable duties
○ FOH Associate duties: working box office check-in, train volunteers, communicate with box office associate, communicate with stage manager/crew, cleaning and theatre maintenance, serve as PPH point-of-contact on performance day
● Coordinate cross training with the Box Office Manager for FOH Associates as a part of or related to this training
● Welcome, orient, and supervise volunteers for events and performances
○ Volunteer Duties include lobby greeter, programs usher, set-up/clean-up, and concessions and/or raffle support as needed
● Coordinate needs with stage & production management
● Manage support of patron check-in & onsite ticket sales / troubleshooting
● Work with the Development team to cover raffle package sales (when requested and discussed)
● Maintain a welcoming, organized, and functional Front-of-House environment for all staff and guests
● Reading and staying up to date on Front of House reports and checking in with team members if/when there is an incident or any actions needed
Event Support:
● Coordination with the Producing Director (Artistic Team) and Community Engagement Specialist
● Support Community Programs with pre-show and post-show talk backs (if/when requested)
● As assigned if needed help with setting up and breaking down events and programs
Box Office (during performance/after hours):
● Being knowledgeable of all ticketing policies and ticket pricing should patron or staff questions arise
● Ability and knowledge of selling tickets & subscriptions in person at shows
○ Knowing how to fulfill subscriptions and/or exchange tickets to another show
● Responding to patrons (in person, via phone, & via email) when working a Box Office Shift at the show
Volunteer Coordination:
● Create and send out the volunteer usher Sign Up form through Signup.com
● Schedule volunteers for occasional in-office support, group projects and the production season.
● Answer volunteer questions and assign volunteer duties at performances
● Also, welcome, orient, and supervise volunteers for events and performances
○ Volunteer Duties include lobby greeter, programs usher, set-up/clean-up, and concessions and/or raffle support as needed
Working Conditions:
● The work environment is an ADA accessible facility. Employees in this position must be able to travel throughout the building to perform essential job duties, which includes using stairs when accessing various work areas. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
● Seated box office station in administrative office, standing station (can provide
● seating) at the box office in the lobby.
● Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
● Frequent use of computers, video calls, and phone
● During the run of a production, Front of House Manager will serve as the lead team Collaborating with Concessions Manager, communicating with additional FOH Associates, volunteers, patrons, staff, and the production’s Stage Manager.
Qualifications/Characteristics/Key Competencies:
● Positive attitude, strong work ethic, flexibility and ability to be self-directed
● A strong commitment to equity and inclusion
● Cultural agility, and proven experience working with diverse teams
● Ability to meet deadlines
● Detail-oriented with clear and direct communication skills
● 3 years minimum customer service experience recommended (but not required)
● Experience in management and/or oversight of a team
● Interest/ability to cultivate relationships within diverse communities
● Comfortable speaking with patrons, and comfort with public speaking a plus
● Experience with Customer Relationship Management systems (CRMs) a plus (Portland Playhouse uses Salesforce/Patron Manager)
● A willingness to learn and ability to problem solve
● While the building is ADA accessible, this position requires the ability to navigate multiple levels of the facility, including frequent use of stairs, as an essential function of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position.
Hiring Process:
● Submission Deadline: August 5th, 2026
● Rolling interviews beginning August 2026 (the week of August 17 - 21)
● Interviews to occur in person. Accommodation requests welcomed.
● Target start date projected September 1st, 2026
Equity Statement:
Portland Playhouse greatly values inclusion and workplace diversity. We strongly encourage people with diverse backgrounds, particularly from communities of color and historically underrepresented groups, whose professional and personal experiences advance our vision to apply. We support equal employment opportunities for all classes of individuals, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, economic status, or veteran status. We are an equal opportunity employer.
Anyone applying for employment with Portland Playhouse can bring a support person to the interview. A support person is most useful when an applicant's personal or cultural values might limit the information they can provide in the interview process. You and your support person can be assured that you’ve been treated in an inclusive and safe manner, respectful of your cultural values and your support person can provide a more in-depth picture of your relevant competence, skills and experience. If you would like to have a support person join you, please indicate this at the time of scheduling the interview.
Application Instructions
To apply, email a single pdf of your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. In the subject line, include the name of the position for which you are applying and reference where you heard about this position.
We are seeking an energetic and dedicated Front of House (FOH) Manager to lead our hospitality team and ensure an exceptional guest experience. In this pivotal role, you will oversee daily operations, manage staff, and uphold the highest standards of food safety, customer service, and restaurant management. Your leadership will drive a lively, welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back while maintaining smooth service flow and operational excellence. This position offers an exciting opportunity to showcase your managerial skills in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where teamwork and hospitality are at the core of everything we do.
Responsibilities
- Lead and motivate front-of-house staff to deliver outstanding customer service, ensuring all guests have a memorable experience.
- Oversee shift management, including scheduling, assigning roles, and supervising team performance to optimize service efficiency.
- Manage POS systems such as Aloha POS and Micros POS for order processing, cash handling, and transaction accuracy.
- Supervise food preparation, serving, and food handling procedures to maintain high standards of food safety and quality.
- Control inventory levels, monitor stock rotation, and coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure timely food production and supply management.
- Train new team members on restaurant policies, POS operations, customer service techniques, and food safety protocols.
- Conduct staff interviews, performance evaluations, and ongoing training sessions to foster a skilled and motivated team.
- Handle customer inquiries or complaints promptly with professionalism to uphold our reputation for excellent hospitality.
- Assist in budgeting efforts by analyzing profit and loss reports and implementing strategies for cost control.
- Ensure compliance with health regulations, safety standards, and food industry best practices across all front-of-house activities.
Experience
- Proven management experience in quick service or fast food restaurants; casual dining or fine dining experience is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated proficiency with POS systems such as Aloha POS or Micros POS; cash handling expertise required.
- Strong background in food service management including supervising food preparation, food safety management, and kitchen operations.
- Experience in team leadership roles involving staff training, interviewing, shift management, and performance supervision.
- Knowledge of inventory control techniques along with budgeting skills related to profit & loss analysis.
- Familiarity with hospitality management principles including customer service excellence and managing hospitality teams.
- Prior experience working with diverse food industry settings such as catering or banquet environments is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to lead teams effectively while maintaining a positive work environment.
Join us as a Front of House Manager if you’re passionate about hospitality, thrive under pressure, and want to make every guest’s visit extraordinary!
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
