Joshua M. Freeman Foundation
Freeman Arts Pavilion, an open-air performing arts venue located near Fenwick Island, Delaware, first opened in the summer of 2008. A program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, a fundraising 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization, Freeman Arts Pavilion presents diverse programming in the genres of dance, live music, theatre, and children’s programming.
Purpose of the Job
The Box Office Manager is charged with implementing programming and events, box office sales, the ticketing system and the patron purchase experience. This individual will coordinate and manage artist offers and contracts with our talent buyer and internal team. Additionally, this position will have full knowledge of the ticketing system and manage the box office to ensure optimum patron experience and financial results. The staff member will possess excellent organizational, administrative and managerial skills.
Anticipated Work Schedule
During the off-season, this position works a 40-hour-per-week schedule, with some weekends, as needed. However, during the summer season, the schedule is event-driven, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Programming Contract Management
- Work with relevant parties to develop schedules, establish needs, and organize event details.
- In collaboration with the Programming Director, seek out and book performance groups, such as tribute acts, family performances, and children’s performances.
- Partner with talent buyer, Programming Director, and Executive Director to review offers, schedules, and contracts for national recording artists.
- Act as contract administrator: review contracts, organize and manage digital filing and reporting systems as well as riders and all pertinent performance information.
- Process all check requests and or payments per contract on a timely basis.
- Report final settlement sales information to agencies within 48 hours of performance.
- Distribute contracts to appropriate internal staff and contractors. Update and manage files and distribution as necessary.
- Create and maintain systems to track the booking and forward planning of events so that deadlines and budgets are met.
- Support the annual budget and ongoing forecast process for performance and box office expenditures.
Ticketing
- Expert on ticketing systems - knowledgeable in all aspects: building events, transactions, refunds, reporting, etc.
- Manage responses to all patron inquiries related to ticketing and box office information.
- Execute all ticket transactions in a timely, courteous, and professional manner.
- Manage the Ring Central phone system.
- Oversee the “will call” ticket program.
- Manage all internal holds, artist holds, and artist ticketing requests.
- Manage artist fan club and VIP early access ticketing.
- Facilitate ticket counts for artist management and provide reporting when requested.
- Process ticket refund requests in accordance with policies and procedures
- Manage patron chargebacks and returned orders in the credit card processing system.
- Provide attendance and ticket sale reporting.
- Oversee box office staff schedule and task management.
- Submit annual budget recommendations for the box office and track progress toward maintaining the budget throughout the fiscal year.
Administrative Operations
- Knowledgeable about Freeman Arts Pavilion, its programs, venue policies, and safety plan and able to communicate information in a courteous manner.
- Support Standards for Excellence accreditation, processes, and other nonprofit accreditations that further the expertise and effectiveness of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation
- Work either inside the Box Office at Freeman Arts Pavilion or at the JMFF office and may be asked to perform additional duties as needed.
- Act as the primary resource for Freeman Arts Pavilion information as it relates to performances and ticketing.
- Manage all aspects of the Ring Central phone system, including ensuring appropriate voicemail messaging is in place for the general and box office phone number.
- Other duties as assigned.
Measures of Success
- Increase efficiency of the performance booking process
- Effectively manage contracts from signing to performance completion
- Meet established revenue goals.
- Achieve 95% patron satisfaction.
- Timely processing of department reporting
- Completion of projects in a timely manner and within budget
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics
- Personable, positive, and diplomatic individual with integrity and a sense of humor, who works effectively with the Board, donors, volunteers, and staff.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in written form accurately, concisely, professionally and effectively.
- Ability to prioritize and follow through on several projects/tasks simultaneously.
- Ability to always remain professional especially when under pressure.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, employees, and volunteers.
- Budget management
- Ability to articulate and measure results within various metrics including financial, aesthetic, programmatic, and experiential.
- Demonstrated ability to embrace change, flourish in a complex and dynamic organization, and to be flexible in a constantly evolving, often ambiguous environment.
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve and develop contingency plans quickly (and to support staff accordingly)
- Articulate, with solid oral and written communication and presentation skills.
- Demonstrate good work ethic and the ability to work without direct supervision.
- Ability to follow directions accurately.
- Strong initiative, self-confidence, creativity, and entrepreneurial skills, one who enjoys working as a team player but also can work independently and as a self-starter.
- Well-organized, able to plan and manage strategically yet have sufficient focus on details to assure effective implementation and follow through.
- Genuine interest in the arts and understands and supports the Foundation’s mission with a natural ability to articulate this mission and role to others.
- An innate ability to inspire those working with them toward accomplishing common objectives and goals.
Required Experience/Abilities
- Bachelor's degree in arts management, business, or equivalent experience
- Basic understanding of entertainment management and production
- Understanding of working in a non-profit environment with volunteers
- Strong technical and computer skills- proficiency with Microsoft 365/Office Suite
- Ability to create and manipulate documents using both Microsoft Suite and Adobe Pro (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong experience working with 3rd party ticketing systems and developing seat maps and performance events, managing programming changes, patron records, and selling tickets within the back-end application of the software.
- Customer service experience, preferably in the ticketing, entertainment, non-profit arts, or hospitality industries.
- CPR/AED Certified
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion.
- The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.
Physical Requirements
- Sitting, standing, and walking for periods of up to 4 hours or more, working with a computer
- Regularly required to communicate in person and on the telephone.
- Infrequently lifting and moving equipment and materials that weigh up to 25 pounds.