Assistant Director of Front of House Position Available In Rockingham, New Hampshire

Assistant Director of Front of House 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 ASSISTANT

DIRECTOR OF FRONT OF HOUSE

Department:

Front of House Reports to: Associate Executive Director Exempt; Full-Time; Benefits-Eligible Applications due by July 1, 2025.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Front of House (ADFOH) is a strategic and operational leader responsible for delivering a seamless, welcoming experience across all Music Hall venues and partner locations. This role oversees FOH strategy, execution, staffing, financials, and guest services—including food and beverage, logistics, volunteers, and safety. The ADFOH works closely with the General Manager of Front of House (GM) and executive leadership to drive a 1st class patron experience, core values-aligned operation that continually enhances the guest experience. Success in this role is measured by improvements in guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and staff engagement across all FOH touchpoints.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Budgetary Oversight In collaboration with the Associate Executive Director, leads strategic planning for Front of House operations in alignment with organizational and budget goals. Contribute to the development of both short-term and long-term strategies focused on revenue growth and cost control. Leads execution of all revenues and expenses associated with the food & beverage program, to include budget tracking and analytics, COGs, and labor expenses. Owns the implementation and maintenance of the Toast POS system, including menus, inventories, and permission settings. Manages labor expense strategy, including general staffing levels and distribution of bartenders’ gratuity. Accountable for recruitment and retention strategies that foster team morale, cultural alignment, and operational efficiency. Responsible for internal team communications and updates while setting service expectations across shifts and venues. Leads hiring efforts for full-time FOH department roles and oversees part-time recruitment and hiring as administered by the Front of House Manager. Oversees onboarding and training for all FOH roles, ensuring a consistently high standard of hospitality and safety; maintains and communicates up-to-date standard operating procedures that are easily accessible to the entire department. Oversees staff scheduling, payroll, and management of all part-time FOH staff. Conducts ongoing FOH data analysis and reporting through budget tracking and customer satisfaction ratings to inform decisions and performance improvements. Regularly utilizes data-driven insights to analyze and refine food & beverage offerings based on customer satisfaction, pricing margins, and sales performance. Food & Beverage Curation Directly responsible for curating, ordering, implementing, and maintaining food & beverage menus across all of The Music Hall’s venues, ensuring seasonal relevance, brand alignment, and profitability. Ensures all offerings remain compliant with local health and safety regulations. Responsible for overseeing all food and beverage consumable inventory and ordering processes, ensuring accuracy and cost control. Leads communication and rollout of new menus, including Toast POS programming, team training, and visual/menu presentation. Establishes and maintains vendor relationships to ensure quality, availability, and innovation in product selection. Collaborates in programming special tasting or food and beverage-related social events for Music Hall members. Venue Operations & Guest Safety Accountable for operational readiness of all FOH spaces, including cleanliness, accessibility, emergency preparedness, security details, and logistical support for visiting artist teams. Maintain a regular presence in the venue by actively checking in with patrons to ensure they are enjoying their experience and have everything they need—fostering positive guest relations and delivering an energetic, welcoming impression of The Music Hall. Serve as the face of the Front of House department to all guests who enter through our doors, embodying our commitment to exceptional hospitality. Ensures preparation for annual health inspections and compliance with all relevant food and alcohol safety standards in all of The Music Hall’s venues. Oversees all off-site event FOH-related logistics, including selection of the appropriate food and beverage service coordination, necessary police details, and compliance with liquor and health department licensing and certification requirements. Oversees the volunteer program and house management, led by the Volunteer Coordinator, including recruitment, training, and scheduling to ensure appropriate volunteer coverage for each show or event. Oversees artist merchandise sales at live events when requested, including coordinating setup, managing sales staff, reconciling sales, and ensuring a smooth and professional experience for both artists and patrons.

QUALIFICATIONS

7+ years in venue, event, and/or hospitality operations with demonstrated leadership in budget management and analysis. 7+ years in direct food and beverage operations to include food prep and/or bartending. Familiar with POS systems (e.g., Toast), menu planning, inventory processes, and basic food & beverage compliance. Excellent written and oral communication skills Profit analysis and budgeting expertise Strives for continuous improvement in all areas pertaining to the FOH department. Experienced in staff supervision, training systems, and organizational culture-building. Excellent communicator and problem solver with a first-class customer experience service approach. Comfortable in high-volume, fast-paced, mission-driven environments.

Physical capabilities:

ability to lift 50 lbs.

Schedule:

While this role follows a standard Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM schedule, this role is expected to work evenings and weekends as needed to effectively oversee department operations, particularly during high-impact or sold-out events where on-site observation and leadership are essential.

RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Associate Executive Director Collaborates with: Programming, Production, Front of House, Facilities, Finance, and Marketing Departments Direct Supervision for: General Manager of Front of House Indirect Supervision for: Volunteer Coordinator and House Manager and all part-time support FOH personnel.

SALARY/BENEFITS

Competitive and based on experience.

Base Salary Range:

$71,000-$82,000, plus semi-annual bonuses Includes a comprehensive benefits package: health, dental, paid time off, and 401k.

ABOUT THE MUSIC HALL

The Music Hall, established in 1878 as a Vaudeville theater, has become a cornerstone of Portsmouth’s vibrant arts scene. Over nearly 150 years, it has evolved into a premier performing arts center, featuring two distinct venues: the landmark Victorian-era Historic Theater, designated an American Treasure by the National Park Service, and the modern Music Hall Lounge, an intimate 116-seat cabaret-style space. Together, they host over 130,000 patrons annually, offering a diverse array of live performances and on-screen programming that foster creativity and community. In 2024, The Music Hall expanded its cultural offerings by taking over the New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF), the state’s longest-running film festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each fall with independent films, panels, and networking events. That same year, it opened a new Members Club with McKeon’s Bar and the Box Office & Ticketing Hub, housed in the historic Kearsarge House on Congress Street. This exclusive speakeasy-style club allows members and sponsors direct access to the Historic Theater. Since 1987, The Friends of The Music Hall, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, have upheld its mission: to present diverse, high-quality arts programming as a vital cultural hub for the Seacoast community. Today, The Music Hall continues to enrich Portsmouth’s cultural fabric with world-class entertainment.

ABOUT THE MUSIC HALL’S VENUES

As a multi-venue nonprofit arts organization, The Music Hall offers a range of spaces that each present unique service needs and guest experiences. Each venue calls for tailored staffing, seamless coordination with food & beverage services, and a commitment to creating first-class experiences for every patron. The Historic Theater , with a capacity of 895 seats, this theater features two elegant lobbies and full-service bars offering concessions, where fast-paced service is expected. Due to its size, this venue accommodates large-scale performances, community and private events, and film screenings. A more diligent oversight of patron-facing logistics is required to ensure guests are seamlessly able to enter the venue, be sat in the appropriate location, and have access to accessibility needs. The Lounge, a more intimate, cabaret-style venue with a capacity of up to 115 guests, has a contemporary, nightclub-style atmosphere and demands nimble, high-energy service, including table or bar-side service and technical support for a diverse mix of shows and private events. The Members Club, a speakeasy-inspired venue with a capacity of 75 guests, hosts exclusive member gatherings and sponsor events. It demands the highest levels of service, with discreet, polished hospitality, strong bar skills, and attentive VIP guest engagement—featuring a curated craft cocktail and wine program.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email a cover letter and resume to Ashleigh Tucker Pollock at atucker@themusichall.org by July 1, 2025. The Music Hall is an equal opportunity employer. We highly encourage those traditionally underrepresented in our industry to apply. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, we encourage you to email Joe Gleason at .

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$71,000.00 – $82,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off

Shift:

8 hour shift Night shift

Work Location:

In person