Front of House Manager

The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks a full-time, seasonal Front of House (FOH) Manager for the 2025 season of summer concerts, films, and events at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The FOH Manager begins work in March and continues through late September.The Front of House Manager will join the high-performing, collaborative team of arts professionals at the Festival, leading a diverse staff of 50 ushers, and serving as the key liaison to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Millennium Park management, and presenting organizations.The FOH Manager will oversee front of house needs for nearly 100 events in Millennium Park including Blues Fest, Jazz Fest, Gospel Fest, House Music Fest, the Millennium Park Music Series, the Grant Park Music Festival, and other high-profile events.Previous seasonal FOH Managers have gone on to work for some of Chicago's premiere arts and cultural organizations including Lyric Opera, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Auditorium Theatre, and WFMT. We seek a people-oriented, organized problem solver with a demonstrated ability to succeed in a fast-paced environment. Candidates with production, event, and front of house management experience, and those with experience leading a large, diverse team are highly encouraged to apply.Select Duties and ResponsibilitiesManage the hiring, scheduling, training, and supervision of the Deputy Front of House Manager and an usher staff of 50.Run daily pre-show meetings with usher team, reviewing event specifics and emergencyevacuation procedures for each event.Perform administrative processes, including overseeing employee training and onboarding, timecard approvals, staff scheduling; complete and distribute daily run of show plans and post-event reports.Overseeensure venue readiness for each event, including signage, stanchions, gates, reserved areas, equipment, and marketing materials.Act as Festival liaison with Millennium Park operations officials; attend all necessary productionoperations meetings.Review and develop refinements to venue policies and procedures and contribute to Festival efforts to improve the visitor experience.Minimum Candidate QualificationsMinimum of two years of experience managing front of house operations, experience working in a large capacity venue (2,000+ seats) andor an outdoor setting is preferred.Culturally competent; demonstrated experience managing large teams across lines of difference.Detail-oriented with strong experience in project management.Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills; ability to handle the unexpected with grace and diplomacy.Knowledge of accessibility services and best practices in the performing arts is a plus.Ability to transport up to 50 lbs; ability to work outdoors, at times in inclement weather; ability to be mobile for up to six hours at a time.Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, continuously changing, and sometimes loud environment.Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (especially Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Outlook) and computer tasks.Don't fit all of the qualifications listed above, but feel passionate about the position? Please apply anyway! We are eager to work with enthusiastic and proactive people. You never know, you may just be the right fit for the pensationSchedule$25 - $29hour, commensurate with experience.Start date: March 2025, specific date to be determined by mutual agreement. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) and non-exempt position; some overtime is to be expected, June - August.Weekend and holiday availability is required, early-June - mid-September. Typical work day during this period is mid-day to late evening.About the FestivalFor over 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President and CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais.The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging HERE.The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), genetic information, marital status, familialparental status, disability (physical and mental), military status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, citizenship or immigration status, unfavorable discharge from military service, order of protection status, credit history, arrest record, conviction record, family responsibilities, and any other classificationcharacteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website:

Created: 2025-01-31