Usher Manager/Theater Services Manager (Seasonal)

The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach has been a leader in the Art Community for over 90 years seeking a seasonal, Theater Services Manager.  The Theater Services Manager, Usher Captains and Ushers are “audience facing” positions that shape a patron’s experience at the Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters. The team prides itself on creating, fostering and maintaining the Festival’s reputation for great service. In addition, they strive to reduce liability by fostering a safe and enjoyable environment.

Theater Services Manager (Seasonal)

Department: Safety & Security Reports To: Director of Safety & Security

Status: Seasonal, Full Time, Exempt, Hourly Hours: See Below

Rate: $31.00 hr. /$5,374 month

General Summary:

The Theater Services Manager is responsible for the smooth operation of the house during the run of the show. This includes ensuring their staff is welcoming the public to the theatre, making sure they are seated in a timely manner, and working with security to ensure their safety and well-being before, during, and immediately after the show. Answers questions and troubleshoots seating and ticket problems. Supervises the Usher Leads, who are supervising the Ushers.

The Theater Services Manager is also responsible for the smooth operation of the evening concerts each night. This includes ensuring their staff is welcoming the public to the concert, making sure they are seated in a timely manner, and working with security to ensure their safety and well-being before, during, and immediately after the performance. Answers questions and troubleshoots seating and ticket problems.

The Theater Services Manager reports to the Director of Security & Safety. The Theater Services Manager cultivates working relationships with the Pageant Director, Guest Services Director, Human Resources (HR) Director and the remaining Department Directors as needed.

Required Hours:

This position requires a flexible schedule. In April and May, the position is hourly with mostly daytime hours. Using a traditional schedule of weekdays with some weekends. The position changes to salary exempt in June and continues through the end of the season in September. For the months of July and August, the position will require mostly late afternoon and evening availability including weekends. The 2023 Pageant is scheduled to run from July 5th to September 1st. Although unlikely, during this time the Manager could be needed to work seven nights each week.

Principle Duties:

• Works in co-ordination with HR in recruiting, reviewing applications, interviewing candidates and hiring new and returning ushers and usher leads.
• In co-ordination with HR, conducts orientation and training of all ushers and usher leads.
• Assists in completion of new hire paperwork and ensures underage ushers obtain work permits prior to training.
• Responsible for scheduling and timekeeping of usher leads and usher staff.
• Provides leadership to the usher team; trains and empowers the supervisory team to be leaders; develops de-escalation strategies with patrons; coaches and counsels employees and resolves employee issues as needed with support and direction from the Director of Safety & Security and Human Resource Director.
• Works closely with Guest Services staff to troubleshoot ticket problems and complaints.
• Familiar with the Festival’s Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation plans and participates in emergency evacuation drills. Trains staff in emergency procedures. Makes immediate decisions and communicates with Event Staff in emergency situations. Alerts security in the event of any actual or medical emergency.
• Works with Event Staff in managing large crowds under constantly changing event environments.
• Implements and enforces facility rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Anticipates problems and appropriate solutions with an emphasis in de-escalation.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum education level of: High School Diploma/G.E.D. (BA/BS Degree preferred)
• A minimum of 3-5 years of related work experience in a live entertainment facility
• Experience supervising and providing work direction to employees
• Proficient in Microsoft Office & Google Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Gmail)
• Ability to read, listen, and communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work under pressure, recognize problems and find solutions
• Ability to multi-task and handle a variety of day-to-day tasks
• Extremely organized and detailed oriented
• Previous payroll experience desired, ADP payroll experience preferred

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Able to stand and/or walk for long periods of time
• Climbing
• Bending
• Kneeling
• Frequent walking up and down stairs
• Lifting/moving objects up to 25 lbs.
• Able to work out of doors and in various types of weather and temperatures

To Apply: Please fill out an application and submit a resume on-line at

form.jotform.com/festivalpageant/2023-job-application-form