About Oxford Playhouse
A Playhouse for Everyone
Positioned at the cultural heart of Oxfordshire, Oxford Playhouse inspires, engages and entertains a wide-reaching and diverse audience. It presents, produces and tours the highest quality middle-scale, small-scale and off-site theatre; supports and nurtures artists to make work; creates imaginative and ambitious participation opportunities for children and young people and provides exceptional cultural experiences for all. Oxford Playhouse has an outstanding record of success as a receiving house for productions offering an ambitious programme which includes the finest national and international touring drama, family shows, contemporary dance and music, circus, comedy and poetry and provides a platform for local student and amateur groups. Audience attendance is above the national average. Its Playhouse Plays Out programme is designed to reach new audiences by giving local residents the chance to see unexpected theatre in unexpected places.
Increased Arts Council funding in recent years has enabled the theatre to strengthen its producing arm. 2016 saw mainstage co-productions Peter Pan in Scarlet and Sand in the Sandwiches (the latter starring Edward Fox). Two new family studio productions are created annually too. The Playhouse produces its own pantomime, which reaches over 36,000 people and is a vital source of income.
Oxford Playhouse also manages the 50-seat Burton Taylor Studio for the University of Oxford, which hosts student drama productions throughout the academic year and a diverse professional programme outside of term.
The Playhouse's artist development scheme Evolve was launched in 2013, and provides support for artists including funding, space and mentoring. 2015 saw the launch of a life-long Writers’ Programme – Playhouse Playmaker - with specific strands for primary school pupils, young writers and professional writers on attachment.
The Playhouse achieves a high proportion of earned income, and has a successful track record in fundraising. The theatre is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, and receives core funding from The University of Oxford, Oxford City Council and St John’s College.
The Playhouse's annual turnover for 16/17 was £4 million.
· Box Office sales provided 65% of the gross income.
· Commercial operations including the bar and ticket agency generated 14% of total income.
· 14% of income was derived from three core funders:
Arts Council England 10%, The University of Oxford 3%, Oxford City Council 1%
· Fundraising from individuals, corporate supporters trust and foundations and catalyst provided 7% of income.
The Playhouse employs 52 full-time equivalent staff and has over 100 volunteers.
The Oxford Playhouse Trust is a company limited by guarantee No: 2397373 and a registered charity No: 900039.
The Post:
Job Title: Ticket Office Assistant (Part-time, fixed term)
Department: Marketing
Reports to: Ticket Office Manager
Responsible for: N/A
Salary: £9.26 per hour, 16 hours per week (to include regular Saturdays)
Business Objectives:
The effective communication and promotion of all Oxford Playhouse activities ensuring audiences are maintained and developed in line with business and artistic objectives.
Departmental functions:
Sales, Customer Care, Audience Development, External & Internal Communications, Data handling, Statutory Compliance (Data Protection and Equal Opportunities).
Departmental objectives:
To promote Oxford Playhouse andall its activities to existing and potential audiences,stakeholders and opinion formers in order to achieve its artistic and business objectives and to provide smooth, efficient and professional channels of communication at the highest standard both internally and externally.
Main Purpose of Job:
To contribute to the effective working of the Ticket Office team in achieving departmental objectives and targets both financial and otherwise. Specifically, as the public voice and face of the Playhouse, Ticket Office Assistant(s) are responsible for ensuring the smooth processing of bookings for a busy ticket office, and providing a welcoming reception environment and courteous point of contact for all visitors.
Key internal contacts: Marketing and Ticket Office teams; Front of House/Operations Team.
Key external contacts: Audiences and potential audiences, the general public, visiting companies
How to Apply:
Your application must consist of:
· Completed application form (included in this pack);
· Your current CV inserted into the application form;
· Completed equal opportunities form (included in this pack).
To ensure fairness to all applicants, any decision to shortlist you for interview will be based solely on the information you supply in your application form. Ensure you read the job description and person specification before you complete the form. It is important you give as much information as relevant regarding why you wish to apply and what makes you a suitable applicant for this post.
If you have any difficulty accessing the pack please let us know and we will arrange an alternative means of application with you. Please do not include references or educational certificates with your application.
Applications should be emailed to or posted, together with the equality monitoring form, in an envelope with “Ticket Office Assistant Application” written in the top left hand corner to: Ticket Office Manager, Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW.
Applications should arrive no later than 12pm on Friday 23 February 2018.
We are a Playhouse for everyone - diversity in our workforce is crucial to our success
Business Objectives:
The effective communication and promotion of all Oxford Playhouse activities ensuring audiences are maintained and developed in line with business and artistic objectives.
Departmental functions:
Sales, Customer Care, Audience Development, External & Internal Communications, Data handling, Statutory Compliance (Data Protection and Equal Opportunities).
Departmental objectives:
To promote Oxford Playhouse andall its activities to existing and potential audiences,stakeholders and opinion formers in order to achieve its artistic and business objectives and to provide smooth, efficient and professional channels of communication at the highest standard both internally and externally.
Main Purpose of Job:
To contribute to the effective working of the Ticket Office team in achieving departmental objectives and targets both financial and otherwise. Specifically, as the public voice and face of the Playhouse, Ticket Office Assistant(s) are responsible for ensuring the smooth processing of bookings for a busy ticket office, and providing a welcoming reception environment and courteous point of contact for all visitors.
Key internal contacts: Marketing and Ticket Office teams; Front of House/Operations Team.
Key external contacts: Audiences and potential audiences, the general public, visiting companies.
Tasks:
· To be responsible for the selling/issuing of tickets for Oxford Playhouse and the Tickets Oxford agency. To assist the smooth running of the ticket office by correctly taking cash, cheques, voucher or card bookings in person and by telephone.
· To be responsible for the safe keeping of individual floats and keys, and reconciling takings at the end of the shift.
· To answer all enquiries at the counter, on the telephone and by email. Ensuring that information on the current programme is available and communicated to visitors. To be conversant in the full range of events sold through the ticket agency, and the variety of art forms represented. In addition, to provide basic general information on Oxford, other local arts venues and directional help and guidance as required. To be fully conversant with all aspects of the Playhouse’s programme by attending meetings and briefings as required, ensuring excellent, informed and courteous customer service for all users at all times.
· To take bookings and provide information on the Oxford Playhouse participation programme including workshops and companies, and to be enthusiastic about the Playhouse’s activity beyond our stages.
· To actively encourage purchases and multiple/related purchases by being aware of the selling points of each production and to be able to impart these to enquirers and ticket purchasers.
· To sell and encourage sales for other products including memberships, gift vouchers and donations. To be aware of current fundraising campaigns and targets and encourage bookers to contribute.
· To assist with the day to day administration of the Ticket Office including: correctly undertaking all ticket transactions using the Spektrix ticketing system, assisting in the accurate collation of all statistical information for events and marketing purposes; to correctly maintain database records in accordance with procedures and current Data Protection legislation; generation of reports; and processing of post and other duties as required.
· To be conversant with Microsoft office software packages, including Outlook, Word and Excel. To use these skills to assist effective communication and administration within Front of House and throughout the organisation.
· To be conversant with all Oxford Playhouse Policies, including Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, and Emergency Procedures, and to abide with all procedures.
· To attend and contribute to training or meetings as required.
· To undertake any other duties as may reasonably be required.
Jobholder Specification:
Essential Skills and Attributes (must have)· Minimum of 6-month experience working in a ticket/box office or similar busy customer orientated environment.
· Flair for dealing with the public, with excellent customer service skills and demonstrable ability to talk enthusiastically about a range of products.
· Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for working as part of a team, with willingness to take responsibility when required.
· Confidence in upselling and cross-selling events, and encouraging increased spend including donations.
· Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
· Computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Outlook, Word and Excel.
· A proven ability to handle demanding and difficult situations with the public, in a calm and confident manner.
· Attention to detail and the ability to multi task in a pressured environment without compromising on quality and accuracy.
· Able to adapt to a lively and constantly changing programme and environment, with a flexible attitude and willingness to learn.
· Proactive approach to problem solving and the ability to work well under pressure.
· Strong organizational and timekeeping skills.
· Willingness to work evenings and weekends.
· An interest in theatre, arts and cultural activities.
Desirable Skills and Attributes (should have)
· Experience of operating computerised Ticketing systems.
· Previous experience/involvement in Theatre.
· Previous cash handling/till reconciliation experience.
Application Cover Form
Personal Details
Name: / Email:Address:
Postcode: / Mobile:
Day time number if different from mobile:
I confirm that the details given in the attached cover letter and CV are accurate:
Signed: Date:
(Electronic Signature accepted)
References
Please give the names and addresses of two people who may be contacted in respect of your application. If you are in employment, one referee should be a senior member of that organisation.
Name: / Name:Contact address: / Contact address:
Tel no: / Tel no:
Email: / Email:
Relationship: / Relationship:
May we contact at interview stage / Yes / No / May we contact at interview stage / Yes / No
Suitability for the post:
Explain, with reference to the person specification and examples from your experience, why you think you would perform well in this job. Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary.
Please insert your current CV at this point.
Details MUST include details of your present or most recent employment, together with a summary of your responsibilities, dates of employment, your job title, notice required and current salary. Please also include reasons for you leaving positions.
Include any qualifications you hold (including professional training undertaken), awarding bodies and dates of those qualifications.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES RECRUITMENT MONITORING FORM
Oxford Playhouse is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity in employment and to taking action to avoid discrimination within the organisation. All applicants for employment are considered only on the information given in application regarding their ability to undertake the job for which they are applying.
This information is used for monitoring purposes only, and is removed from the application prior to the short-listing process.
Please tick the appropriate box:
Age range
£ Under 16 £ 17-24 £ 25-34 £ 35-44
£ 45-54 £ 55-64 £ 65+
Gender
£ Male £ Female £ Non-binary gender £ Prefer not to say
Ethnic Origin
Asian or Asian British
£ Indian £ Bangladeshi £ Pakistani £ Chinese
£ Other: Please write in:
Black or Black British
£ Black Caribbean £ Black African £ Other: Please write in:
Mixed
£ White & Black Caribbean £ White & Black African £ White & Asian
£ Other: Please write in:
White
£ British £ Irish £ European £ Other: Please write in:
Other Ethnic Group
£ Other: Please write in:
Do you consider yourself to be a disabled person? £ Yes £ No
IMPORTANT: If you have answered yes to this question and you require any adjustments to be made in order for you participate fully in our recruitment process, please ensure you have indicated these in your application or on an additional sheet or email separately with details.
Please tell us how you found out about this post:
Thank you for your co-operation in completing this form.
Ticket Office Assistant February 2018 4