House Manager
Palace Theatre Arts Commons
710 Dundas Street, London, Ontario
Reports to: Director of Operations, Board of Directors
Employment: Part-time on-site occasional contract ending June 30, 2027 (potential for renewal). Evenings and weekends.
Location: On-Site in London, Ontario
Compensation: $18.60/hour
Apply by: September 20, 2026
The Opportunity
The Palace Theatre Arts Commons is hiring 2-3 part-time occasional House Managers to lead front-of-house operations and deliver a great experience for every patron who walks through our doors.
The House Manager Team oversees and supports our volunteer front-of-house team, and ensures performances and events run safely, smoothly, and professionally. If you have leadership experience in hospitality, customer service, or event coordination and can keep calm and confident under pressure, we’d love to work with you. Post-secondary students are welcome to apply.
Shift Details: Shifts are based on event schedules and can vary from 3.5 hours to 6 hours. House Managers arrive 2 hours before curtain and are required to stay until all audience members have left the building and may be required to lock up. Please see the end of this posting for a list of show dates that need to be filled by staff in this role. Your schedule is provided 2-4 weeks prior to the required shifts.
Key Responsibilities
Front-of-House Leadership & Patron Service
Manage the front-of-house team including ushers, concessions, ticket takers, greeters, box office, and security.
Support bar service, audience service, and public areas during events.
Serve as the on-site lead for patron service and safety, including emergency response.
Draw 50/50 ticket and announce the winner, thank sponsors, etc. in front of audiences (up to 350 patrons per night).
Volunteer Support & Training
Support onboarding and training for new volunteers.
Manage and support front-of-house volunteers during shifts.
Concessions and Venue Readiness
Coordinate concession inventory, stock rotation, and restocking, including non-show concession prep shifts.
Ensure enough show programmes are printed pre- and post-show.
Ensure cleanliness and safety of patron areas pre- and post-show.
Compliance & Administration
Ensure compliance with AODA, Health and Safety, WHMIS, AGCO, and Smart Serve regulations.
Handle administrative tasks such as incident reporting, shift documentation, and ongoing communication with co-workers and supervisors.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Service industry experience or event supervision (theatre experience not required).
Experience managing a team and working in a fast-paced public environment.
Smart Serve Certification, First Aid and CPR (or willingness to obtain upon hiring).
Strong communication and leadership skills.
Comfort using POS systems (e.g., Clover), including cash handling, reconciliation (cashouts), and updating live inventory.
Familiarity with AODA and public venue accessibility.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, OneDrive).
A strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, demonstrated through respectful leadership and proactive problem-solving.
Bonus If You Have (not required):
Safe Food Handlers Certification, past or present, or familiarity with food safety compliance.
Experience with volunteer coordination/scheduling tools such as WhenToWork.
Familiarity with AudienceView Ticketing Platform.
Certification in customer service, hospitality, or venue/event management.
An interest and knowledge in arts, theatre arts, music theatre, and/or film.
Experience with social media, marketing, or events promotion.
Working Conditions
Long periods on your feet during shifts.
Noise and large crowds during performances.
Some lifting (up to 35 lbs.), including moving tables/chairs, and bar supplies/stock.
Occasional emergencies involving guest illness, injury, or evacuation.
Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Non-Canadian applicants must have a valid employment visa and proper documentation authorizing their ability to work in Canada on a part-time basis.
This part-time, contract role is fast-paced and ever-changing — no two days are exactly the same. Flexibility, confidence, independence, and a calm, can-do attitude are essential to success. We are willing to adapt this position, hours, etc. for the ideal candidate, or as feedback is provided throughout employment. We value team members who contribute to an inclusive, respectful environment and demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Application
Required: Candidates are invited to submit non-AI generated* resumés
Optional: Cover letters outlining their relevant experience and explaining why they are interested in this position.
Submit all documents to apply@ptaclondon.ca and include “House Manager – YOUR NAME” in the subject line.
Palace Theatre Arts Commons is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for artists, employees, volunteers, patrons, and community members.
We are committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and participation process. Applicants who require disability-related accommodations or other accessibility supports are encouraged to let us know how we can support their participation.
*We have a use of AI policy that discourages the use of AI, or requires clear and transparent content labelling when AI is used.
Palace Theatre Arts Commons
710 Dundas Street
London, Ontario N5W 2Z4
519-432-1029
info@ptaclondon.ca
Palace Theatre Arts Commons is a registered Canadian charity.
We thank everyone who applies for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone inquiries, please. All applications are considered confidential.