Front of house manager

Front of house managers are responsible for those areas of a live event venue that are accessible to the public. They make sure interaction with the customers or visitors goes smoothly and professionally. Front of house managers are responsible for ticket sales, any refreshments, and make sure spaces accessible to the public are set out properly. They interact with the venue manager and the stage manager.

The following job titles also refer to front of house manager:

head of front of house
theatre front of house manager
front of house supervisor
theater front of house supervisor
arts venue front of house manager
theatrical house manager
venue house manager
theatre front of house supervisor

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as front of house manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Front of house manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to front of house manager.

technical director
director of compliance and information security in gambling
hospitality revenue manager
clothing operations manager
airside safety manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of front of house manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of front of house manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of front of house manager.

Labour legislation: Legislation, on a national or international level, that governs labour conditions in various fields between labour parties such as the government, employees, employers, and trade unions.

These skills are necessary for the role of front of house manager.

Monitor guest access: Oversee guests access, ensuring that guest needs are addressed and security is maintained at all times.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Assess cleanliness of areas: Evaluate cleanliness of areas in order to make sure that they are clean and presentable for customers.
Prevent fire in a performance environment: Take steps to prevent fire in a performance environment. Make sure the space complies with fire safety rules, with sprinklers and fire extinguishers installed where necessary. Make sure staff are aware of fire prevention measures.
Supervise event staff: Select, train and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.
Carry out end of day accounts: Execute end of day accounts to ensure that business transactions from the current day have been correctly processed.
Negotiate health and safety issues with third parties: Consult, negotiate and agree on potential risks, measures and safety procedures with third parties.
Promote health and safety: Promote the importance of a safe working environment. Coach and support staff to participate actively in the continuous development of a safe working environment.
Ensure health and safety of visitors: Take the necessary precautions to ensure the physical safety of an audience or people visiting an activity. Prepare actions in case of emergency. Administer first aid and direct emergency evacuations.
Monitor ticketing: Keep track of ticket sale for live events. Monitor how many tickets are available and how many have been sold.
React to emergency situations in a live performance environment: Assess and react to an emergency (fire, threat, accident or another calamity), alerting emergency services and taking appropriate measures to safeguard or evacuate workers, participants, visitors or audience according to the established procedures.
Manage a team: Ensure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments within the organisation and support functions, both internally and externally ensuring that the team is aware of the standards and objectives of the department/business unit. Implement the disciplinary and grievance procedures as required ensuring that a fair and consistent approach to managing performance is consistently achieved. Assist in the recruitment process and manage, train and motivate employees to achieve/exceed their potential using effective performance management techniques. Encourage and develop a team ethic amongst all employees.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of front of house manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of front of house manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
Handle customer complaints: Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
Perform first fire intervention: Intervene in the case of a fire in order to extinguish the fire or limit the effects pending the arrival of emergency services according to training and procedures.

1349 – Professional services managers not elsewhere classified

 

 

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References

1. Front of house manager – ESCO