Associate Director of Marketing for Audience Services at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department



AI Court Marketing



About the Department



Court Theatre is the Tony Award-winning theatre of the University of Chicago, dedicated to innovation, inquiry, intellectual engagement, and audience engagement. Serving as the Center for Classic Theatre, Court is a leading theater in Chicago and nationally, unique in that it engages deeply with lovers of theatre and classic texts, UChicago faculty and students, and South Side residents. A LORT-D company now in its 68th year of operation, Court produces 4 to 5 main stage shows per year on an intimate, 250-seat thrust stage.



Job Summary



Responsible for a seamless, comfortable, and engaging audience experience, the Associate Director of Marketing for Audience Services oversees group sales and student matinees for each production in Court's season; manages the Front of House (FOH) team; creates and maintains positive and productive relationships with local restaurants, hospitality services, and vendors; and assists the Marketing Department communicate current and upcoming events at Court.



Responsibilities

• Leads outreach, organization, and execution of group sales, student matinees and other student events, to achieve or exceed sales goals. Develops relationships with internal and external partners from various organizations. Manages partnership agreements and negotiates discounts, tickets and advertising. Manages events, including incoming group inquiries, price negotiations, deposits, seating, and post-play discussions.


• Recruits, hires, andsupervises FOH staff, including, but not limited to, student box office assistants, house managers, bartenders/concessionaires, interns, and volunteer usher coordinators.


• Liaise with the Saints Ushers volunteer program to ensure appropriate staffing and coverage for performances.


• Maintains the cleanliness, appearance, and efficacy of Court's facilities, including the Court Theatre lobby, lobby bar, and nearby parking areas. Manages the revenue and expenses related to concessions, maintains an inventory system, and orders new materials and supplies. Coordinates work assignments with student and temporary staff, including maintaining a clean space, stocking materials and supplies.


• Manages special groups or individuals attending opening night and/or other special events. Coordinates guest speakers for events and pre/post play receptions. Works with vendors and speakers to accommodate requests from group leaders.


• Manages ad sales for Court's show programs to meet or exceed sales goals. Creates and sustains partnerships with local restaurants and businesses to magnify Court's community outreach, increase sales, and develop fruitful collaborations. Solicits external partners who may want to advertise in Court Theatre productions. Develops an operation plan to manage ad sales, including order forms and pricing.


• Develops and executes patron surveys to solicit feedback for future enhancements. Responds to patron complaints escalated from box office staff and via email in an open, kind, and effective manner.


• Oversees accessibility services for performances and events.


• Supports and implements Court's equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives - personally, when leading the staff/volunteer team, and in all patron interactions.


• Works independently to increase user adoption and customer satisfaction by developing programs to drive customer loyalty and retention.


• Uses breadth of knowledge and considerable on-the-job experience to assist in pre-sale activities, provide support continuity through the customer lifecycle, and ensure ongoing customer satisfaction.


• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Bachelor's degree, undergraduate degree at a four-year accredited university.

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of relevant professional work experience in nonprofit management, guest services, sales, or similar professional work experience.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient in Windows based computer programs like Google Suite and Microsoft Office.


• Knowledge of Audience View ticketing system.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent customer service, communication skills and phone etiquette.


• Work efficiently and independently as well as part of a team.


• Strong organizational skills, efficiency, and attention to details a must.


• Clear, regular, and transparent communication.


• Comfort with financial transactions, invoicing, contracts, and regular invoice payment.


• Remain pleasant during challenging situations.


• Foster partnership and collaboration.


• Communicate effectively and with influence.


• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.


• Ensure decision quality, accountability and drive results.


• Display emotional intelligence.


• Cultural competence; celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Working Conditions

• Evening and weekend work during production runs.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)


• Cover Letter (preferred)


• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family



Customer Service & Sales



Role Impact



Individual Contributor



FLSA Status



Exempt



Pay Frequency



Monthly



Scheduled
Weekly Hours



37.5



Benefits Eligible



Yes



Drug Test Required



No



Health Screen Required



No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required



No



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at:http://securityreport.uchicago.edu.Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637. Apply Now