House Manager & Assistant to the General Manager (Soka Performing Arts Center)

Date Posted : 4 / 3 / 2024

Soka University of America is offering a full-time House Manager & Assistant to the General Manager position for the Soka Performing Arts Center.

Under the general supervision of the General Manager of the Soka Performing Arts Center, the House Manager & Assistant to the General Manager is responsible for all Front of House Management for all performances, including rental clients and SUA events;

and providing direct administrative support to the General Manager of the Soka Performing Arts Center.

Candidates should demonstrate responsiveness toward and understanding of diverse student backgrounds, especially with regard to socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, ability / disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity and have a willingness to facilitate the university’s mission to develop global citizens.

Soka Performing Arts Center Overview :

Soka Performing Arts Center’s concert hall seats 1032, and features exquisite world-class acoustics designed by noted acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, acoustic designer of noted performance venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and the Suntory Hall in Tokyo.

Soka Performing Arts Center is part of Soka University of America. Founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life, Soka University of America is a secular, four-year liberal arts college and graduate school with a unique mission : to educate global citizens to contribute to a better world.

Situated atop a ridge overlooking a 4,000-acre wilderness park, Soka is three miles from the Pacific Ocean, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The university’s commitment to fostering global citizenship is reflected in its diverse student body, with 50% of students hailing from international backgrounds.

This is further supported by mandatory second language and study abroad programs, and an interdisciplinary core curriculum.

The curriculum is delivered in small, dynamic classes, maintaining a 7 : 1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 12.

Essential duties include but are not limited to :

General Duties of House Manager (75%) :

• Supports and oversees all front-of-house (FOH) operations and activities for all presented, rental, and internal / academic events;
• Recruits, hires, onboards, trains and schedules approximately 20 FOH student staff (excludes Box Office staff), and a crew of approximately 65 unpaid volunteer ushers;
• Works all events on the 12-month production calendar;
• Serves as on-site supervisor to all FOH staff (including student staff head ushers and unpaid volunteer ushers) during event operations;
• Provides training and onsite pre-show orientations for volunteer ushers, student head ushers, limo cart drivers & patron experience team;
• On-site day-of FOH-training as needed for rental clients who provide their own volunteer ushers and SUA events with non-PAC ushers and personnel;
• Serve as last man out to secure the FOH-related theater areas after events;
• Responsible for vetting and acquiring new volunteers as needed;
• Responsible for all aspects of the Volgistics portal for volunteer management & training manuals, including building all events in Volgistics no later than 12 weeks prior to the event, updating events, event-shift scheduling and changes, and communications with unpaid volunteer ushers;
• Coordinates annual volunteer luncheon;
• Assists the General Manager in developing Soka PAC safety protocols and risk assessment & crisis management documents; serves as PAC Safety Officer;
• coordinates and runs all Safety and Security training sessions for all PAC staff;
• Coordinates lobby set up for all shows including rental and SUA events;
• Serves as the concessions coordinator and interfaces with the concessions caterer; Provides oversight, assesses needs, scheduling, billing, etc.
• for all concessions needs for all events in the PAC;
• Serves as the reception coordinator for all event receptions in the PAC; responsible for reserving space, setup, facilities requests, hiring caterers and assessing menu choices, assigning student staff for reception, etc.;
• Report any building issues in need of repair immediately to the Facilities Manager;

General Duties of Assistant to General Manager (25%) :

• Provide direct administrative support to the General Manager of Soka Performing Arts Center (PAC);
• Rental coordination, including help with contracts, scheduling, production meetings, invoicing with rental clients, and event day coordination;
• Assist with contract administration for performances, assist in gathering FEC, tax paperwork, stage plots, etc.;
• Assist with scheduling and calendars for PAC activities; assist with setting reminders and schedules for GM as needed;
• Workday payment processing of invoices for PAC;
• Music licensing reporting BMI, ASCAP, SESAC;
• Alcoholic Beverage Control license applications / letters;
• Maintain filing system for General Manager (oversee student workers to aid this process);
• Update Google Docs for dailies, masters, staff meeting agendas, and all other documents for the smooth running of the PAC;
• Attend staff meetings and keep minutes;
• Quicken data entry possible (knowledge of Quicken preferred);
• Accept other assignments from the Soka PAC General Manager related to the responsibilities as they arise.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university in a job-related field
• Additional experience in a job-related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required education, on a year-for-year basis

Experience

• 2-3 years of experience working in event coordination and strong customer service skills, preferably in a performing arts center
• 2-3 years of administrative experience, with strongly demonstrated organizational skills

Competencies / Skills :

• Proven strong time management skills to plan, prioritize and complete multiple assignments with fluctuating deadlines in an accurate and timely manner
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure in a faced-paced environment
• Proven ability to exercise independent thinking and judgement and to assess a situation, ask appropriate questions and respond accordingly
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of constituencies including students, campus departments, faculty, administrators, students, organizations and entertainment industry personnel
• Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to exercise initiative and work independently
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication, and customer service skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to oversee student employees

Soka University of America offers excellent benefits. The anticipated salary range for this position is $56,000 - $61,000 and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of a successful background check.

Application review will begin immediately. The position will remain open, and applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Application Requirements :

Must submit the following to be considered :

• letter of interest for this position
• resume
• three professional references

Apply for the House Manager & Assistant to the General Manager Position

For inquiries, e-mail : jobs@soka.edu

Soka University of America is an equal opportunity employer.