Manager, Guest Experience Operations

The David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center opened in April 1964 as the New York State Theater. The theater was designed by the renowned architect Philip Johnson, built with funds from the State of New York, and given to the City of New York as a home for performing arts organizations. Today, the theater is home to the New York City Ballet as well as a growing number of national and international touring performing arts groups.

Position Summary

The Manager, Guest Experience Operations is responsible for the leadership, supervision, and operational oversight of a team of more than 80 Unionized Ushers / Ticket Takers and 4 Performance Managers. Serving as the theater’s senior front-of-house representative during assigned performances and events, this role ensures exceptional guest service, operational excellence, venue presentation, safety compliance, and support of artistic programming.

The Manager oversees all front-of-house operations for performances, special events, and venue engagements, while serving as a key liaison among patrons, theater personnel, resident companies, visiting licensees, and other stakeholders. A primary responsibility of the role is the supervision, mentorship, and development of Performance Managers, ensuring they are equipped to independently lead performances and events in accordance with departmental standards.

This position is responsible for assigning and overseeing Performance Managers, maintaining a visible management presence through the official start of assigned performances, and ensuring operational readiness, staff preparedness, and the successful execution of house-opening procedures.

In addition, the Manager oversees departmental scheduling, payroll coordination, employee records, staff communications, operational reporting, and related administrative functions, ensuring all front-of-house operations are executed efficiently, accurately, and in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Front of House Operations & Event Management

• Lead all front-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional guest service, operational excellence, and safety compliance.


• Supervise and support Performance Managers, providing leadership coverage for performances, rehearsals, special events, and venue activities.


• Oversee performance-day operations, including audience admission, seating, accessibility accommodations, audience flow, and house-opening procedures.


• Maintain a visible management presence through the start of assigned performances to ensure operational readiness and staff preparedness.


• Coordinate closely with Production, Stage Management, Security, Facilities, Merchandise, Food & Beverage, and other partners to support seamless event execution.


• Monitor venue operations, audience services, ADA accommodations, and compliance with safety, fire, occupancy, and emergency procedures.


• Respond to operational disruptions, guest concerns, and emergencies with professionalism and sound judgment.


• Serve as a primary liaison among venue management, staff, clients, resident companies, and event stakeholders.


• Prepare operational reports and recommendations and support special events, departmental initiatives, and venue-wide projects.

Staff Leadership, Training & Development

• Alongside the Event Operations and GE Manager, lead and supervise a team of 80+ front-of-house employees, including Performance Managers, Unionized Ushers, and Ticket Takers.


• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training, coaching, performance management, and professional development of front-of-house staff.


• Schedule, assign, mentor, and develop Performance Managers, preparing them to independently serve as Manager on Duty (MOD).


• Develop staffing schedules and assign positions in accordance with labor agreements, venue policies, and operational needs.


• Conduct performance evaluations and administer coaching and disciplinary processes as appropriate.


• Design and deliver training programs focused on guest service, accessibility, venue operations, safety, and emergency procedures.


• Lead staff briefings and meetings, communicating operational expectations, event information, and service priorities.


• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.

Administration, Compliance & Records Management

• Oversee payroll preparation, attendance tracking, sick leave records, absences, pension documentation, and related personnel administration.


• Maintain compliance with all applicable Collective Bargaining Agreements, organizational policies, and employment practices.


• Oversee the maintenance of confidential personnel files, performance records, attendance documentation, certifications, disciplinary actions, and employment-related records.


• Ensure front-of-house practices remain compliant with accessibility requirements, safety regulations, and evolving industry best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Arts Administration, Theater/Performing Arts Management, Hospitality Management, or Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.


• 5–7 years of progressive experience managing front-of-house operations within performing arts venues, theaters, arenas, convention centers, or comparable live entertainment environments.


• 2-3 years of leadership experience managing supervisors and large teams (ideally 30+), with demonstrated success leading, scheduling and developing operational staff.


• Experience working in a unionized environment and interpreting Collective Bargaining Agreements.


• Experience recruiting, training, coaching, evaluating, and supervising staff in a customer-facing environment.


• Strong organizational, administrative, and record-management skills.


• Exceptional customer service, communication, and conflict-resolution abilities.


• Knowledge of ADA requirements, public assembly operations, fire safety standards, emergency preparedness, and life-safety procedures.


• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while managing multiple priorities simultaneously.


• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on performance and event schedules.


• FDNY F-03 Certification and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain both shortly after hire.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, onsite, salaried, exempt position. Due to the nature of live performance and event operations, the schedule is driven by performance, rehearsal, and event activity and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, extended performance days, and occasional six-day workweeks.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently exposed to:

• Theater and lobby environments


• Office settings


• Crowded public assembly environments


• Extended standing and walking during performances and events

Other Duties:

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

New York City Ballet is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruiting and employment. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship status, disability, pregnancy, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, military status or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, unemployment status, familial status, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history or any other characteristic protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

New York City Ballet, one of the foremost ballet companies in the world, pursues the highest levels of artistic excellence and innovation. Therefore, we seek to attract, retain, and cultivate the most talented dancers, musicians, designers, stage technicians, and arts administrators. To this end, we are deeply committed to creating and sustaining an organizational culture that values and reflects inclusion, equity, and access for all.  We are inspired by our founders, George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, who envisioned an authentically American expression of ballet with a company that reflects the rich cultural diversity of this nation. In pursuit of their vision, we are committed to all by educating, developing, and supporting an organization that welcomes and amplifies the voices and lived experiences of everyone.