Jobs

Join Us at Cal Performances


Cal Performances, based at the University of California, Berkeley, is a leading presenter and commissioner of world-class music, dance, and theater for the San Francisco Bay Area. We bring together extraordinary artists, bold ideas, and engaged audiences to inspire, enlighten, and enrich lives through the power of live performance. Known for the unmatched quality and variety of programming, our diverse artistic and educational programs reach the UC Berkeley campus, the wider Bay Area, and audiences worldwide via digital platforms. With a $20M annual budget, a dedicated team of 65 full-time staff, 90 student employees, and 200 volunteers, we welcome nearly half a million audience members each year across five venues. If you’re looking to join a creative, collaborative, and mission-driven organization that thrives on excellence and innovation, we invite you to be part of our story.

How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online through the University of California, Berkeley’s application portal: jobs.berkeley.edu. Direct links to the open positions are in the job posting.

  • External applicants: You’ll need to create an account if don’t have one already
  • Current UC employees (“internal applicants”): Make sure your CalNet ID is enabled, then log into UCPath, open the Recruiting WorkCenter, and click the UC Berkeley Campus Careers link.

For step-by-step guidance, visit UC Berkeley Talent Acquisition – Explore Careers.

We do not accept hardcopy resumes — all applications must be submitted through the UC Berkeley jobs portal.

Full-Time

Department: Cal Performances
Campus: Berkeley
Classification: Events Specialist 2
Title Code: 006291
Percent Time: 100%
Work Schedule: Variable (Including Nights & Weekends)
Supervisor’s Title: Director of Venue Management
Personnel Program: Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM)

Introduction

Under the supervision of the Director of Venue Management, the Audience Services Manager assists in the efficient operation of all Audience Services activities in various Cal Performances venues (Zellerbach Hall, Zellerbach Playhouse, Wheeler Auditorium, the Hearst Greek Theatre, and certain performances at Hertz Hall and First Congregational Church). Responsibilities include operational assistance as well as coordination and supervision of Front of House student staff and volunteers.

Responsibilities:

Front of House Lead During Events – Shared

  • Oversees FOH Student Staff and volunteer usher conduct and safety.
  • Resolves critical issues involving patrons at events such as ticketing problems, late seating, crowd control, facility maintenance and general public relations, while employing customer service techniques.
  • Facilitates communication and services with concessionaires, caterers, vendors and other Cal Performances departments, as they pertain to Front of House activities such as receptions or intermissions, to ensure protection of Cal Performances’ interests and maintain consistent customer service to the patrons.
  • Ensures that the ambiance, appearance, and general condition of patron-accessible areas of facilities, including the lobby, auditorium, and restrooms, are appropriate.
  • Provides Venue Operations Manager with any major safety concerns, and building appearance improvement needs encountered during events.
  • Provides directions and information. Oversees digital and hard-copy signage for events.
  • Act in close coordination with Ticket Office staff to employ customer service techniques to effectively interact with patrons, mutually resolving critical issues such as ticketing problems, late seating, crowd control, facility maintenance and general public relations.
  • Oversee execution of receptions, special events, intermissions, artist meet-and-greets, merchandise sales, informational/promotional displays, and other pre/post-event activities.
  • Responsible for and oversees the Patron Services reporting, outlining any extraordinary occurrences at the event; running times, an accounting of employees’ time worked, concessions and merchandise report, accident reports, facilities maintenance items, and other important information for all events.
  • Looks after ADA considerations for all patrons, including ADA seating, facilities, and providing assistance in transport to and from venues when appropriate.
  • Assumes leadership role in emergency situations, leads evacuations or other safety-related procedures; performs crisis intervention; calls emergency services; prevents or removes anything or anyone disrupting an event. Liaises with medical services and/or security services.
  • Communicates effectively with Artist Services, Production and Facilities Services to ensure smooth execution of events in all venues.
  • Works alongside the Venue Operations Manager and Another Planet Entertainment staff at the Hearst Greek Theater to ensure the proper seating of all patrons requiring accessibility accommodations, observe and report patron incidents, and assist all necessary obligations to maintain the safety of operations for Greek Theater concerts.
  • Represents Cal Performances and the University at selected events.
  • Acts as the highest level of Administrative Authority for the Front of House Department.

Volunteer Manager

  • Oversees the General Volunteer Usher Program and the Student Volunteer Usher program.
  • Collaborates with the marketing department to increase student outreach and participation through the Student Volunteer Usher program.
  • Interviews and onboarding new volunteers as necessary.
  • Actualizes a robust volunteer training program and annual, bi-annual, and period volunteer meetings to ensure the maintenance of volunteer service quality.
  • Organizes and regularly updates volunteer resources.
  • Maintains a thorough record of all volunteers, contacts, and history, including campus registration.
  • Handles all email communications with volunteers.
  • Provides feedback, and when necessary, initiates disciplinary action on volunteers.
  • Creates the volunteer schedule, and makes necessary changes throughout the season.
  • Maintains and optimizes user experience on the software used for volunteer scheduling (currently: Coda).
  • Revises and implements all volunteer usher policies and practices in order to ensure a high level of service provided to patrons, and a positive experience for the volunteers.
  • Develop and implement Volunteer recognition initiatives and events
  • Gathers feedback from volunteers regarding volunteer satisfaction, program policies and procedures, and patron experience.
  • Addresses feedback regarding volunteers from student staff, patrons, and other Cal Performances staff.
  • Trains student staff in management and communication techniques in relation to volunteers.
  • Advises and assists with tasks pertaining to student staff when necessary.

PEM duties distributed – Shared

  • Work with the entire FOH Admin team in a highly collaborative and communicative environment, ensuring a smooth flow of information and transparency within the department.
  • Retain working knowledge of the work of other FOH Admin, in order to work together easily and efficiently.
  • Is aware of all event information, while advising on topics pertaining to audience experience.
  • Be a key player in the development and management of organization-wide projects and initiatives that promote the importance and benefits of a reputable customer experience.
  • Liaises with the sales and marketing team to measure and interpret customer feedback and utilize this data to inform staff communication and program creation for an ever-improved customer experience.
  • Monitor and respond to customer inquiries, concerns and feedback through various channels, providing prompt response and resolution to customer service issues. Ensure feedback and opportunities for improvement are shared effectively throughout the organization.
  • Development and implementation of a training program and a Policy & Procedure manual for all Front of House personnel.
  • Serve as key organizational leader in creating and implementing a vision of exceptional guest experience.
  • Advocate FOH Student Staff needs peers and the senior leadership team.
  • As needed, interview, hire, train, motivate, schedule and supervise all Front of House and Patron Services staff. Manage leadership, student and volunteer staff during events.
  • Develop and implement a training program and orientation for all Front of House personnel.
  • Development and implementation of emergency procedures as they would pertain to Front of House staff and Patrons.
  • Ensure the ambiance, appearance, and general condition of patron accessible areas of the venues are appropriate
  • Communicates with other departments such as Marketing, Education, Development, TDPS, Operations, and Venue Ops to support events.
  • Maintain facility and equipment to provide maximum accessibility to patrons with disabilities.
  • Coordinate with Marketing and other units as necessary to ensure that marketing materials, program books, inserts and/or surveys are available to all venues for distribution at events.

Required Qualifications

  • Experience in Performing Arts, Event Management, and Public Assembly
  • Excellent customer service skills.
  • Excellent verbal communication skills; ability to give appropriate consideration to others’ concerns in order to address and resolve a variety of problems.
  • Ability to access and manage diverse customer service activities, including unanticipated service needs and/or emergencies.
  • Ability to manage and look after a wide variety of events and patrons, encompassing all kinds of entertainment and university events.
  • Ability to speak in front of large groups of people.
  • Ability to take charge and direct people in a calm and professional manner.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills to effectively recruit, select, train, motivate, and discipline student staff members and community volunteers.
  • Ability to work under pressure of deadlines in a demanding environment.
  • Strong organizational skills, ability to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities.
  • Good writing skills to prepare clear reports and written instruction.
  • Strong working knowledge of computer systems and software including word processing, spreadsheet and data management software.
  • Initiative and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of California ADA regulations and considerations
  • Knowledge of University of California Service Animal Protocol
  • Red Cross CPR/AED, Red Cross First Aid

Compensation

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is: $36.00–$39.00 an hour

Department: Cal Performances
Campus: Berkeley
Payroll Title: Performing Arts Manager 1
Job Code: 000460
Percent Time: 100%
Supervisor’s Title: Senior Director of Operations
Personnel Program: Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM)

Introduction

Cal Performances is the performing arts presenting, commissioning, and producing organization based at the University of California, Berkeley. The mission of Cal Performances is to produce and present performances of the highest artistic quality, enhanced by programs that explore compelling intersections of education and the performing arts. The organization delivers a diverse artistic and educational mission to the University and surrounding communities, as well as internationally through its digital platforms. The organization delivers roughly 350 events per year, maintaining a budget size of roughly $18M and roughly 65 career staff with hundreds of part-time employees, volunteers, third-party partners, and students.

The Production Manager is responsible for the management of technical elements for Cal Performances events and other University and third-party events staged in the Zellerbach Auditorium, Zellerbach Playhouse, Hertz Hall, Wheeler Auditorium, Hearst Greek Theater, and other off-campus venues, as necessary.

This position is also responsible for our theaters’ technical assets and for leading our production technical departments and contractors, including set/carpentry, lighting, sound, wardrobe, and makeup. Working with a team of 15 career production staff and dozens of occasional production staff, the Production Manager is responsible for leading the advanced production preparations. The Production Manager oversees and manages all stage needs related to the production of each event including stage equipment, staffing levels, advance work, and touring artist requirements. This position works closely with the Senior Director of Operations, Chief Programming Officer, and Rental Business Manager, as well as other leaders, in the planning and budgeting of production considerations. Due to the nature of this work, this position’s schedule includes extensive on-site evening and weekend hours.

Responsibilities:

Production Advance Planning

  • Work with directors, designers, producers, company technical directors, and tour managers to assess and coordinate technical requirements and schedules in advance of each company’s arrival.
  • Under the direction of the Senior Director of Operations and with the assistance of Production Department Heads, plan, manage, and implement all technical and staging aspects for performances and related educational/community programming, in a number of diverse performance venues.
  • Responsible for management of labor and material expense for production portions of project budgets, working closely with the Senior Director of Operations to optimally utilize our financial and human resources. Must manage production expenses to agreed upon budget plan, consulting with Senior Director of Operations or Rental Business Manager when expenses must exceed the budget to minimize net impact.
  • Ensure the dissemination of production details to all other individuals who require it to be successful at their work.
  • Recommend optimal venue seating configurations for each performance and disseminate that information to internal stakeholders, including Ticket Office, Front of House, Artistic Planning, Marketing, etc.
  • Fulfill and negotiate the requirements of contracts, technical riders, and production operations. Recommending solutions to challenges that adversely affect timelines, resources, and scope of projects.
  • Implement a system of reviewing all production activities after each event and documenting lessons learned and how we can continuously improve in delivering productions in effective and efficient ways, including safety, timeliness, management of expenses, employee engagement, process improvement, and artist/renter satisfaction.
  • Advise and specify appropriate and cost-effective equipment to be used for presentations.
  • Advise Cal Performances departments regarding technical needs for special events or residency activities.
  • Assist Rental Business Manager in developing labor estimates for rental or campus events.

Production Leadership

  • Directly supervise Production Department Heads, including assigning work duties and overseeing work being performed.
  • Oversee the timely and complete scheduling of all stage production labor. Works closely with Production Administrative Manager to produce the schedule.
  • Oversee orientation sessions for newly hired Scene Technicians, ensuring that Production Department Heads provide effective and consistent onboarding to all employees.
  • Provide or oversee additional on-site basic theater craft instruction and training of all stage crew employees during pre-hangs, load-ins, rehearsals, shows, load-outs, and/or changeovers.
  • Work with Production Administrative Manager, Production Department Heads, and Human Resources to address performance management issues, including assignments, training and development, evaluation, promotions, and disciplinary matters.
  • Maintain a strong understanding of Labor Relations contracts with our represented employees and oversee our compliance with that contract and participate in meetings between Represented Labor, Union Leadership, and Management to address grievances and other matters.
  • In conjunction with the Production Administrative Manager, maintain and approve monthly payroll records for direct reports.
  • Assist in maintaining a safe working environment. Ensure that necessary and appropriate stage safety training is regularly provided on schedule. Advise leadership of possible risks or hazards and participate in developing and implementing mitigations.
  • Maintain strong relationships with third-party vendors and service providers, working closely with the Production Administration Manager to ensure that our partners deliver the goods and services we need for production in a high quality, on-time, and cost-effective manner.
  • On occasion, perform some duties which are the responsibilities of the Production Administrative Manager or other Production Department Heads, as determined.

Production Operations

  • Act as the “Manager on Duty”, overseeing all staging, workflow, and schedule for pre-hangs, rigging, load-ins, rehearsals, performances, load-outs, and changeover days.
  • In collaboration with the artists, direct the implementation of all related elements required by events. Work with touring technicians, designers, or artists during load-ins, rehearsals, performances, and load-outs in assessing and resolving event technical problems and event budgetary issues.
  • Ensures strong communication between the production team, Artistic Planning, Event Managers, and Audience Services during each event, so that the artists, renters, and audiences have an optimal experience at Cal Performances, including being a key participant and leader in our regular production and event planning cross-departmental meetings.
  • Lead the creation of solutions to challenges that adversely affect timelines, resources, and scope of production projects.
  • Arrange for the procurement of technical equipment required for an event, as needed.
  • Serve as onsite technical contact for event production needs.
  • In coordination with the Production Administrative Manager, document all event stage labor, vendors’ expenses, consultants, and labor hours within designated software systems.
  • Assist Rental Business Manager in reporting actual labor expenses for all rental events.

Equipment and Facilities Maintenance

  • Oversee preventative maintenance on equipment
  • Develop and solicit competitive bids for equipment, purchase/replacement, capital projects, and special vendor services. Make recommendations on best value or best pricing.
  • Keep an inventory of the Cal Performances’ technical supplies and appropriate replacement cycles.
  • Assist leadership in the preparation of a maintenance plan. Identify and advise Cal Performances leadership on both short-term and long-term maintenance and equipment needs.
  • Serve as the on-site work leader for maintenance projects as assigned.
  • Oversee the maintenance of effective technical specifications to share with artist companies and renters of our venues.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Required

  • Strong knowledge and experience acting as a Technical Production Manager for theater, dance, and/or other live performance and special event operations, including producing, production management/stage management, and operations in a theatrical venue that hosts touring artists.
  • Experience in major professional technical theater productions in venues with advanced technical capabilities, including knowledge of technical theater protocol, chain-of-command, and stage equipment and practices.
  • Strong management and leadership skills to effectively recruit, hire, train, motivate and evaluate personnel, including taking corrective action as required with a variety of experience levels, including union members, road crews, and part-time staff in completing their daily tasks. Ability to exhibit a positive, approachable attitude; open-mindedness and objectivity, a willingness to collaborate, and general professionalism and civility at all times
  • Knowledge of budgeting and financial management concepts and techniques.
  • Negotiation, analytical, and research skills to interpret data, prepare conclusions and successfully negotiate terms and conditions of contracts and proposals that are in the best interest of the institution.
  • Excellent interpersonal communication skills, including the skills to work effectively with diverse publics. Must be able to work across departments internally to collaborate and influence effective outcomes for Cal Performances.
  • Excellent organizational and analytical skills and skills to perform effectively under deadlines.
  • Excellent problem recognition, avoidance, and resolution skills.
  • Knowledge of current state and federal OSHA standards applicable to professional theater environments as well as industry safety standards and recommendations.
  • Strong knowledge of emerging production technologies and industry trends and standards. Including knowledge of common software tools such as AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Lightwright, and standard MS Office software.
  • Ability to move and manage items weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Able to work long hours, overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays onsite. Position may also occasionally work remotely as work demands allow.

Preferred

  • Appreciation for a wide variety of performing arts, including dance, music, and theater.
  • Experience working as a stage professional on tour with various theatrical or touring productions is preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience or training

Compensation

The salary range for this position that Cal Performances reasonably expects to pay is $120,000–135,000.

Part-Time

We have no part-time positions open at this time.

Temporary

We have no temporary positions open at this time.

Fellowships and Internships

We have no fellowship or internship positions open at this time.

UCB Student Opportunities

All open student positions are listed on the UC Berkeley Work-Study Program website. Please refer to work-study website at https://workstudy.berkeley.edu.

Work Study students will be given hiring preference, but applications from other UC Berkeley students will be accepted.