Spiegeltent Host Captain

The Host Captain plays a critical role in the overall guest experience at the SummerScape Spiegeltent, contributing directly to a safe, enjoyable, and unique experience. As a frontline hospitality representative, Hosts seek to create an immediate rapport with guests. They must be knowledgeable of SummerScape programming, venue details, and the food & beverage menu. Hosts must be able to work calmly and efficiently in a fast-paced dining/cabaret environment – always anticipating, listening, and responding with grace to guests’ needs. The Host Captain will oversee the team of Hosts, ensuring that these individuals work together as a unit to create the Spiegeltent experience.

The Spiegeltent Host Captain reports to the Spiegeltent Operations Manager and supervises a team of up to four Spiegeltent Hosts. The Host Captain interacts closely with the catering, box office, security, and production teams.

Spiegeltent performances/events typically take place on Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoon. On days in which events are not taking place at the Spiegeltent, the Host Captain will pick up additional hours/shifts working with the front-of-house team in a similar capacity as an usher for the Sosnoff Theater and Luma Theater venues. Training in all venues will be provided.

This is a seasonal non-exempt part-time position from approximately mid June to mid August 2023, paid hourly at a rate of $16-19/hr, depending on experience. Hours are approximately 20-30 hours per week. Most activity at the Spiegeltent occurs Friday to Sunday evenings; additional shifts with the front-of-house teams occur Wed - Thurs.

Campus housing will be provided, if needed. Air conditioned housing is not guaranteed. Meals are also provided at campus dining facilities and at the Spiegeltent (on shift nights).

RESPONSIBILITIES

-Assume responsibility for the comfort, safety and assistance of all guests.
-Serve as the primary information point for guest questions; serve as a point of escalation for guest concerns brought to the Host staff.
-Work with Operations Manager to create the weekly shift schedule for Hosts and the daily position assignment schedule.
-Coordinate VIP needs with Operations Manager.
-Greet guests on arrival and supervise venue entrance and exit procedures.
-Oversee the execution of Host post assignments, rotations, and breaks.
-Supervise all Hosts and ensure proper protocols are followed.
-Conduct ticket taking, hand stamping, and seating.
-Assist waitstaff as required (busing tables, running orders, etc) in the venue and garden.
-Proactively solve problems with ticketing, dining, and other patron issues.
-Make necessary public announcements in the venue.
-Maintain a clean and presentable garden, entrance, and table/seating area.
-Conduct venue and garden set-up and breakdown, including table/chair reconfiguration.
-Maintain awareness of and ability to communicate program subject matter and menu details.
-Maintain awareness of patron behavior and anticipate potential hazardous activity.
-Attend house staff briefing meetings at the beginning of each shift.
-Other duties as assigned.

Company-Wide Responsibilities:
-The Fisher Center is currently undergoing an organization-wide process of change toward becoming an anti-racist, multicultural institution. All on staff are expected to:
-Commit to anti-racism and inclusivity at the Fisher Center. This includes participating in any trainings when scheduled, supporting departmental, company-wide, and cross-departmental collaboration in issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and furthering your own independent journey with anti-racism.
-Contribute in meaningful ways to the organizational culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE

-1–2 years of work experience or completion of Bachelor’s Degree
- Customer Service or Team Leadership experience required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

-Superior attention to detail.
-Must possess a positive work attitude and enjoy interacting with people.
-Reliable means of transportation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

-A passion for the arts preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

-Ability to stand for extended periods of time and ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
-Able to work nights and weekend hours.

LOCATION

Bard’s beautiful 1,000-acre campus is situated on the east bank of the Hudson River, in Annandale-on Hudson, New York. Community life is defined by numerous cultural and recreational opportunities in the surrounding historic Hudson River Valley and by proximity to New York City. Nearby towns and villages include Rhinebeck, Tivoli, and Red Hook, New York.

ABOUT THE FISHER CENTER

The Fisher Center develops, produces, and presents performing arts across disciplines through new productions and context-rich programs that challenge and inspire. As a premier professional performing arts center and a hub for research and education, the Fisher Center supports artists, students, and audiences in the development and examination of artistic ideas, offering perspectives from the past and present, as well as visions of the future. The Fisher Center demonstrates Bard’s commitment to the performing arts as a cultural and educational necessity. Home is the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry and located on the campus of Bard College in New York’s Hudson Valley. The Fisher Center offers outstanding programs to many communities, including the students and faculty of Bard College, and audiences in the Hudson Valley, New York City, across the country, and around the world. Building on a 163-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders.

Learn more about the Fisher Center, its programs, and its values at fishercenter.bard.edu/about.

ABOUT BARD COLLEGE

Founded in 1860, Bard College is a four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences located 90 miles north of New York City. With the addition of the Montgomery Place estate, Bard’s campus consists of nearly 1000 park-like acres in the Hudson River Valley. It offers bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and bachelor of music degrees, with majors in nearly 40 academic programs; graduate degrees in 11 programs; nine early colleges; and numerous dual-degree programs nationally and internationally. Building on its 163-year history as a competitive and innovative undergraduate institution, Bard College has expanded its mission as a private institution acting in the public interest across the country and around the world to meet broader student needs and increase access to liberal education. The undergraduate program at our main campus in upstate New York has a reputation for scholarly excellence, a focus on the arts, and civic engagement. Bard is committed to enriching culture, public life, and democratic discourse by training tomorrow’s thought leaders. For more information about Bard College, visit bard.edu.

Application Instructions

Complete the application form here:https://formfaca.de/sm/n9jJkH17L.

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For any questions or issues with the application form, please contact fcjobs@bard.edu

Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information. Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.