Front of House Assistant (seasonal)
ABOUT US
Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) is a creative hub and focal point for the performing arts, community engagement and talent development in the North-east. Our three iconic city centre venues are all on a national and international touring circuit for the performing arts and a vital part of Aberdeen and Scotland’s cultural infrastructure. We present, produce and commission diverse and distinctive arts and cultural programmes of regional and national reach and impact. We support talent and help develop professional practice. We run a wide range of creative activities, projects and workshops for all ages and stages in our own venues as well as in schools and community settings. We provide a box office service for 30+ venues in the North-east. We run 6 bars, two cafes and a restaurant in-house across our venues.
A Year in the Life
· 1,000,000+ visitors through our doors
· 400,000 ticket sales
· 750+ performances
· 2 festivals: True North and Granite Noir
· 15,000+ creative learning engagements
· 450+ visiting companies and artists
· 200+ employees
· £12m+ turnover
Our Mission
Creating a Spark
Our Vision
A vibrant cultural hub at the heart of city life - inspiring, exploring and engaging through live performance and creative projects
Our Values
Curiosity, Optimism, Loyalty, Team Work and Resilience
Our Goals
Programme: Create a distinctive and diverse artistic programme
Talent: Be an incubator for artists and talent development in the North-east
Creative Learning: Offer inspirational creative engagement and participation opportunities
City Vision: Provide cultural leadership to shape the city vision and a creative Scotland
Looking to the Future
We are an ambitious company and we have big plans for the future. Over the next 5 years we will complete the transformation of Aberdeen’s much loved Music Hall, currently undergoing an £8m make-over and due to open at the end of 2018, we have plans to expand True North, our music festival and Granite Noir our book festival, we have just set up our new producing arm, Freshly Squeezed Productions – supporting new talent, new writing and new ways of working collaboratively across the arts, we are continuing to diversify our cultural programme across all three venues, we are expanding into conferencing and events and growing our food and beverage business to generate new income streams.
His Majesty’s Theatre
His Majesty’s Theatre is a category A-listed proscenium arch theatre designed by celebrated architect Frank Matcham and opened in December 1906. It is a fully equipped producing and receiving theatre with a capacity of 1,475 which since its opening has welcomed international touring companies, nationally renowned artists and Scottish and homegrown talent.
The Music Hall
The Music Hall, currently undergoing a major redevelopment, is one of Scotland’s oldest and most historic concert halls and a fine example of a traditional 19th century concert hall. It stands on Union Street in the centre of Aberdeen and has been at the heart of cultural life in the city for over 150 years. The main auditorium has an excellent acoustic and a capacity of 1300 seated.
The Lemon Tree
The Lemon Tree was formed in 1992 as the base venue for Aberdeen’s Alternative Festival, named after a pub originally situated on the site. The two performance spaces – the 550 capacity Lounge, and 166 seat Studio – bring cutting edge music, theatre, comedy and dance to the city, and provide unforgettable, intimate opportunities to see an exciting array of small-scale performing arts in the North East. It’s also the base for Freshly Squeezed Productions, APA’s producing arm.
JOB PURPOSE
To provide exceptional customer service and a friendly, professional welcome in our venues to ensure that our customers have safe and memorable experiences.
Reporting relationships
Front of House Assistants report to the Duty Manager and are expected to work across all three venues as required
Main Duties and Responsibilities
· Ensuring the health and safety of our customers
· Performing pre-show and post-show security checks
· Greeting and welcoming customers. Ensuring our customers feel they have had the best possible service from us and looking for ways to make their visit a memorable occasion
· Being courteous, friendly, open and helpful towards customers and colleagues at all times
· Checking tickets and assisting customers to their seats
· Helping keep the public areas tidy
· Assisting with sales of programmes, merchandise, ice cream and sweets
· Keeping up to date with show and venue information, being knowledgeable about APA in general and the local area.
· Being aware of and assisting customers with access and additional support requirements – induction loops, wheelchair spaces, audio described performances, touch tours, BSL interpreted performances, captioning and have a positive attitude
· Cloakroom duties as required.
General responsibilities
· Contributing to an enthusiastic, positive work climate within the company, modelling behaviour as a champion of the company’s mission, vision and values
· Being aware of the work of other departments in the achievement of APA’s aims
· Taking an active part in communicating and co-operating with other staff and department
· Following guidelines, procedures and policies provided by the company
· Being aware of and comply with Health and Safety at work rules and legislation
· Ensuring confidentiality and compliance with the Data Protection Act
· Complying with equality and diversity policy and practice, health and safety practices and principles and standards relating to quality management and customer care
· Working the hours as designated in the Terms and Conditions of Employment and carrying out the duties of the post in an enthusiastic and diligent manner
· Undertaking other appropriate duties as required commensurate with the level and role of the job
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Aberdeen Performing Arts / Job Title: Front of House Assistant / Salary Grade:CRITERIA / ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
1. Experience / Experience of working with the public in a customer facing role (1 year minimum) / Experience of handling cash
Experience of bar work
2. Qualifications / Good literacy and numeracy skills
3. Special skills/aptitudes / Excellent customer care skills
Good problem solving skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to lift and carry catering related stock and furniture / Familiar with Health & Safety
Familiar with Manual Handling
First Aid Training
4. Personal qualities / Pleasant, helpful and open manner
Smart and tidy personal appearance
Flexible approach to working hours
Good timekeeping
Ability to work as part of a team / Knowledge of or interest in the arts
Working Environment
o Regular weekend and evening work, with ability to work during the day also an advantage. This role will be required to work during Christmas and New Year weeks this season.
o Able to undertake physical duties
o You will accrue holiday pay proportional to the hours you have worked.
o A uniform is provided and must be worn.