REPORTS TO: Vice President, People & Culture
STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings.

Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can. Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved — come inside.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is seeking a Director of Front of House Operations to lead the guest experience and day-to-day front of house operations across performances, special events, and venue rentals. This role oversees a large seasonal team and serves as a key operational leader responsible for guest safety, service excellence, staffing, hospitality, concessions, and event execution. The ideal candidate is an experienced, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced live performance environment, can confidently manage complex operations and emergencies, and brings a warm, service-oriented approach to both guests and staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Front of House & Guest Experience

Lead Front of House operations for performances, special events, and venue rentals, ensuring a safe, welcoming, efficient, and exceptional patron and guest experience in collaboration with the Vice President, People & Culture, Director of Venue & Guest Services, Development, Negaunee Education Programs and Engagement Program Teams, Head of Security, Director, Environmental Health, Safety and Compliance, Box Office Director, Technical and Production Team, Marketing Team, and Facilities Team.
Supervise Front of House staff, including ushers, floor monitors, ticket scanners, bartenders, barbacks, and coat check attendants, and ensure consistent high standards of professionalism, hospitality, safety, and service.
Model and champion Lyric Opera of Chicago’s organizational culture and Core Values, fostering an environment where employees demonstrate Artistry with Purpose, People First, Belonging & Equity, Collaboration & Partnership, and Working Together in their interactions with colleagues, donors, patrons, guests, artists, and community partners.
Respond to and resolve patron and guest concerns and service issues, coordinating with Box Office, Engineering, Security, Cleaning, Concessions, and other departments as needed.
Conduct regular inspections of all seven theater floors and guest-facing spaces to monitor guest safety, security, cleanliness, staff performance, facility conditions, and overall operational readiness.
Coordinate curtain times, house warning bells, and Front of House communications with the Stage Manager.
Ensure guest-facing areas are clean, sanitary, accessible, and well maintained throughout performances and events and that all guests have safely exited following performances and events.
Maintain a visible, warm, friendly, professional, and service-oriented presence throughout all patron, guest, donor, artist, employee, and stakeholder interactions.
Promote and maintain consistent guest service standards and identify opportunities to continuously enhance the overall patron and guest experience.

Safety, Security & Emergency Response

Conduct pre-event safety and operational inspections and promptly communicate maintenance, safety, security, or operational concerns to the Head of Security and other appropriate departments.
Enforce public safety policies and procedures in accordance with building codes, fire regulations, insurance requirements, emergency protocols, and Lyric Opera of Chicago policies.
Serve as the Front of House operational lead alongside the Head of Security during emergencies, coordinating with the Director, Environmental Health, Safety and Compliance, emergency responders, and other designated personnel and directing patron and guest evacuations as instructed by appropriate authorities.
Direct Front of House staff and assist with patron and guest evacuations, shelter-in-place procedures, and other emergency actions in accordance with established emergency protocols and instructions from appropriate authorities.
Partner with the Vice President, People & Culture, Head of Security, and Director, Environmental Health, Safety and Compliance on Front of House safety and security matters and ensure staff are prepared to respond appropriately to emergencies.
Ensure Front of House employees understand and are prepared to execute their assigned responsibilities during emergencies.
Complete all safety-related correspondence and reporting, including incident and accident reports, ensuring documentation is accurate and submitted in a timely manner.

Staffing, Supervision & Staff Development

Develop and manage seasonal Front of House staffing schedules based on the performance calendar, special events, rentals, anticipated attendance, and operational needs.
Recruit, interview, train, onboard, supervise, coach, and evaluate seasonal and part-time Front of House employees, maintaining appropriate staffing levels and training records.
Establish clear performance, conduct, attendance, and guest service expectations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to Front of House employees.
Address employee performance, conduct, and attendance concerns in partnership with the Vice President, People & Culture, including developing and administering written corrective action plans when appropriate.
Review and approve part-time and seasonal staff timecards in ADP Workforce Now and ensure accurate and timely payroll information.
Provide input and recommendations on retention, rehire eligibility, assignments, and future employment.
Foster a positive, professional, inclusive, accountable, and collaborative working environment for Front of House staff.
Identify ongoing training and development needs and partner with People & Culture and other internal and external partners to deliver appropriate training.

Food, Beverage & Concessions Operations

Provide overall operational oversight of Front of House food, beverage, and concessions operations, ensuring high standards of quality, presentation, safety, financial accountability, and guest service.
Partner with the Concessions Manager and dining/catering partners to ensure appropriate staffing, inventory, service levels, and operational readiness.
Oversee concessions inventory controls and product sales processes, ensuring appropriate procedures are followed for inventory management, reconciliation, and reporting.
Monitor guest feedback, service quality, sales activity, and operational performance and address concerns and opportunities for improvement with the appropriate managers.
Review operational, sales, and inventory reports and partner with the Concessions Manager and Finance to support effective financial and operational management.
Support the development and implementation of strategies to improve concessions revenue, operational efficiency, product offerings, and the overall guest experience.

Events & Venue Rentals

Coordinate Front of House, food, beverage, concessions, and hospitality operations for special events, galas, venue rentals, and other non-performance activities in collaboration with the Director of Venue & Guest Services.
Coordinate Front of House staffing for rental and special events in partnership with the Director of Venue & Guest Services and provide on-site leadership and supervision of Front of House staff as needed.
Collaborate with Development, Marketing, Technical & Production, Security, Facilities, Joffrey Ballet, and other internal and external partners to ensure successful execution of performances and events.
Participate in event planning and operational meetings as appropriate to identify Front of House requirements, staffing needs, guest experience considerations, and potential operational or safety concerns.

Reporting & Administration

Prepare comprehensive House Reports following performances and events, documenting operational issues, guest concerns, incidents, staffing matters, facility conditions, and other relevant information and details.
Ensure appropriate Incident and Accident Reports are completed**, accurately documented, and submitted in a timely manner following incidents.
Provide operational reports, data, and information to Finance, People & Culture, and other leadership partners as needed.
Review and approve Front of House payroll and timekeeping information in ADP, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
Assist in the creation and management of the annual budget for Front of House in collaboration with the Vice President, People & Culture and Director of Venue & Guest Services. Participate in budget planning and review meetings with Finance and monitor Front of House expenditures throughout the fiscal year.
Monitor staffing, overtime, concessions, supplies, and other operating expenses and identify opportunities for responsible cost management.
Oversee concessions inventory controls and product sales in partnership with the Concessions Manager.
Maintain appropriate Front of House operational records, procedures, schedules, reports, and documentation.
Identify, recommend, and implement opportunities to improve Front of House processes, guest service, staffing, safety, operational effectiveness, and efficiency.
Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of Lyric Opera of Chicago's operational and guest experience objectives.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

4+ years of experience in Front of House operations, theater operations, hospitality, or a related field, preferably within a large performing arts venue or theater of 2,000+ seats.
Previous experience supervising and scheduling a large seasonal or part-time workforce.
Experience managing food and beverage, concessions, hospitality, or similar guest-facing operations.
Previous administrative experience, including payroll or timecard approval, and budget management.
Experience with ADP Workforce Now, SalesVu, ticket scanning technology, or comparable systems preferred.
Experience managing concessions or food and beverage inventory.
Experience working in a union environment preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, customer service, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional customer service and maintain a warm, professional demeanor in a high-volume environment.
Ability to remain calm, make sound decisions, and effectively manage competing priorities during performances and emergencies.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively with a broad range of departments and staff.
Strong attention to detail and ability to effectively delegate responsibilities and hold staff accountable.
Commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and positive experience for guests and employees.

WORK CONDITIONS:

Must be available to work evening and matinee performances throughout the opera season, as well as post-season musical performances, Joffrey ballet performances, special events, galas, auctions, and venue rentals as needed.
Local travel may be required occasionally.
Must be comfortable working in a dark theater environment, including assisting guests with seating.
Must be able to stand for a minimum of four hours per shift.
Must be able to climb stairs repeatedly throughout a performance and navigate all seven theater floors.
Must be able to provide physical assistance to patrons when necessary, including during seating and emergency situations.

COMPENSATION:

Job Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Salary is $75,000-$82,000 annually

Application Deadline: Monday, August 24, 2026 (5:00pm CT)

Lyric Opera of Chicago offers benefits including health, dental, vision, 403B (no company match), 401(k) with company match, PTO (including sick, vacation, and personal days, and holidays), life/AD&D coverage, opportunities for professional development, and complimentary tickets.

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Need Assistance with Your Application?

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to ensuring our employment application process is accessible to everyone. If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability to access, complete, or submit an employment application, please contact the People & Culture Department at hr@lyricopera.org. We will work with you to provide an appropriate reasonable accommodation in accordance with applicable law.

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