2026 Mill Valley Film Festival House Manager
About The Position
The Festival House Manager collaborates with Venue Staff and Line Managers to ensure safe theater operations and timely screening starts. This role is pivotal in delivering excellent customer service and managing venue entry and front of house operations throughout the film festival. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously. As the first point of contact for our patrons, the Festival House Manager will create the best possible experience for them by maintaining a friendly, helpful, and professional demeanor, and being well-versed in all areas of audience services.
Requirements
- Proven experience in customer service or event management, preferably in a festival or theater setting.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Enthusiastic and positive attitude, with a professional demeanor.
Responsibilities
- Interface closely with the public, volunteers, projectionists, box office, other festival staff, filmmakers, and sponsors.
- Collaborate with the Development department to meet sponsor and donor requirements.
- Prepare the venue at the start of each day.
- Check in with the Theater Operations/Venue Manager to receive a radio, review technical sheets, daily schedules, and show flows. Discuss any special occurrences such as filmmaker/talent arrivals, red carpets, and shows that are on RUSH or likely to go to RUSH.
- Communicate with the Projectionist to confirm all films and trailers for the day are ready.
- Set up reserve signs for the first show and prepare any signs for later shows.
- Evaluate the daily schedule to manage start and end times effectively, especially during tight turnarounds.
- Supervise volunteers, assigning them to assist with in-house theater duties.
- Oversee volunteers in counting tickets and ballots (as needed) during screenings.
- Manage audience traffic flow and maintain reserved seating areas.
- Keep staff and customers informed of any festival updates and changes.
- Coordinate show entries and exits with other managers via radio to ensure timely starts.
- Oversee the theater doors during pre-show and trailers, and monitor the first five minutes of each feature to check sound levels and picture quality.
- Assist with film introductions, managing microphones, and cuing filmmakers and programmers.
- Oversee RUSH ticket sales and seating in conjunction with Box Office, determining the number of available tickets with Line Manager and guiding RUSH ticket holders with the help of volunteer ushers.
- Conduct Q&A sessions and manage patron exit processes.
- Oversee volunteers collect completed ballots at each theater exit (as needed), assist in cleaning the theater, and set up reserves for the next film.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
