Duty Manager and Front of House Assistant

£11.30/h for Duty Manager and £10.31/h for Front of House Assistant

We are looking for a friendly and enthusiastic person to join our team to ensure that all front of house operations run smoothly, with excellent customer service providing an informed and inclusive welcome for the general public, audiences, artists, hirers and Crisis members. Weekend and evening availability is essential.

For further details please see:
www.oldfirestation.org.uk/vacancies

Applications by 9am, Monday 21 February

Interviews will be held the week commencing Monday 28 February.

We encourage applications from individuals who face disadvantage through lived experience or discrimination (heritage, disability, homelessness or class for example)

JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION

Casual Duty Manager and Front of House Assistant (evening)

The Old Fire Station is a centre for creativity in Oxford housing two organisations: the homelessness charity Crisis and Arts at the Old Fire Station (AOFS). We share our building.

AOFS encourages people from all backgrounds to understand and shape the world in which we live through stories, creativity and the arts, and by connecting with others.

ART IS FOR EVERYONE. EVERYONE HAS POTENTIAL.

At AOFS, we

produce and present across art forms

help people to be creative

support artists

include people facing tough times because of disadvantage

work with communities across Oxford

In everything we do, we consider

facing the climate emergency

unlearning discrimination

being human friendly

experimenting and listening

building financial resilience

We do this by

good quality relationships

listening and learning

encouraging creativity and risk-taking

offering a public space which is welcoming to all

working collaboratively online, outside and elsewhere

Essential to delivering our shared mission is the participation of Crisis members (homeless people using Crisis’ services) in our work.

Role Specification

Line managed by: Front of House Managers

Works closely with: FoH Managers, FoH Co-ordinators, Front of House Assistants, Deputy Director, Technical Manager, Theatre Technician, Volunteers, homeless trainees, and colleagues at Crisis, particularly Facilities Manager, Reception and Café staff.

Manages: None, but will supervise staff and volunteers as and when required on shift

Pay £11.30/h for Duty Manager - £10.31/h for Front of House Assistant

We are living wage employers

Main duties and responsibilities

Key purpose for the Duty Manager:

To ensure that all front of house operations run smoothly, with excellent customer service providing an informed welcome for audiences, the general public, artists, hirers and Crisis members alike. To be responsible for the Health and Safety operations of the building when on duty. In particular, managing the bar, the event ticket sales, casual staff and volunteers on shift.

Key purpose for the Front of House Assistant:

To support the Duty Manager in ensuring that all front of house operations run smoothly, providing an informed welcome for audiences, general public, artists, hirers and crisis members alike. In partnership with the Duty Manager, to be responsible for the Health and Safety operations of the building when on duty. Taking responsibility for Bar if directed by the Duty Manager.

Main duties and responsibilities

Liaising with clients on event nights, to ensure their requirements are met including catering and logistics (DM)

Representing the Front of House Manager when required to do so (DM)

Management of Volunteers (DM)

Managing the Bar

Managing Event Ticket Sales

Setting up of AV equipment as and when required

Handling general enquiries from hirers, performers, promoters and the public

Responsible person for fire evacuation and Health & Safety issues during your shift.

Other key responsibilities:

Control and rotation of bar stock

Cash floats, handling and reconciliation

Ensuring compliance with licensing and health and safety law and regulation.

When acting as a Front of House Assistant you will handle only some of the tasks and duties listed above, depending on what the Duty Manager specifically needs for the smooth operation of the event. You will be managed by the Duty Manager on site during your shift.

What we are looking for

Essential – If you have all of these, please apply.

Working knowledge of Office Administration requirements

Knowledge of a sales environment

Working in a customer care environment

Managing cash

Working in a high-pressure customer service role

An understanding of the importance and implementation of health and Safety

Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)

The ability to work under pressure, multi-task

Understanding of and commitment to customer care

The ability to work evenings and weekends

Ability to support logistics through movement of chairs and tables

A willingness to undertake appropriate training

Energy and enthusiasm to be a part of a small team

Interest in the arts

Desirable – if you don’t have all (or any) of these, don’t worry. We can teach you.

Outlook

Event Management systems

Experience of Box Office Systems

Experience of working in an Arts Environment

Improving organisational systems

Improved income streams from Front of House activity

Working in small team

Working with Vulnerable Adults

Experience of training others

Bar Work and or retail

Qualifications in First Aid

Fire Marshal

Health and Safety

An eye for detail and the ability to complete tasks

Confidence around projectors/PA systems

We welcome and encourage applications from individuals who face disadvantage through lived experience (ie no formal education/experience of homelessness) and/or who identify as:

• D/deaf and/or disabled
• Neurodiverse
• Working-class, benefit class, underclass
• LGBTQ+
• Global majority* and/or migrant
*This includes people of Black Caribbean, Black African, South Asian, East Asian, South East Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab, Latinx, Jewish, Romany and Irish Traveller heritage.

We will interview people who hold one or more of these characteristics if they meet the essential criteria. Please state in the letter if you would like to be considered for interview under these conditions (you do not need to explain why).

We are keen to learn more about the barriers to inclusion and it would be really helpful if you could fill in the demographics monitoring form (also known as an Equal Opportunities form) on the website. This is anonymous and is for us to assess how well we are doing in terms of attracting applications from people who experience discrimination (i.e. because of their race, disability or class among others).

General

As an equal opportunity employer, we recognise the diversity shortcomings of our industry and are committed to driving change and supporting employees to provide an inclusive workplace.

We expect staff to have a commitment to unlearning discrimination in order to become a more inclusive organisation

We recognise the major impact that climate change is having on our world. We work as an organisation and with partners in the city towards a low-carbon sustainable Oxford. All staff are expected to share this responsibility and support this work.

All staff are expected to be able to support and supervise volunteers and trainees on placements, including Crisis members as part of our Training Scheme

The Old Fire Station requires an open, creative and flexible approach to the work. This job description is a guide to the nature of the work required. It is not fully comprehensive or restrictive. This job description will be reviewed with the post holder annually.

The post holder will be expected to carry out the duties of this post in line with the Old Fire Station’s policies and procedures and in line with all relevant insurance, legal, health and safety obligations.

The post holder will have input into artistic and business planning and strategies, as part of an inclusive practice,

We are a small team, and all staff are expected to support work across the organisation in a practical way, not just in their own area.

Conditions of service

Casual contract with regular weekday, evening and weekend work including occasional Sundays.

The post is subject to a three-month probationary period

Additional work-related travel expenses (not including travel to and from the office) will be payable in line with the relevant conditions and rates agreed

Application Deadline: Monday 21 February 2022

Interviews: week commencing Monday 28 February 2022

Please e-mail recruitment@oldfirestation.org.uk with a covering letter and a CV and the equal opportunities monitoring form