Associate General Manager

Job Title: Associate General Manager  

Reports To: General Manager

Department: General Management

Location: On-Site

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt, Variable Hours Including Mornings and Weekends

Compensation: Range of $55,000-$58,000

Anticipated Start Date: 8/17/2026

About the Arden:

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre Company is a professional regional theatre offering the highest quality theatrical productions and educational programs to the artists, audiences, and students of Greater Philadelphia. Each year, we produce the Mainstage season and Arden Children's Theatre, the city's first resident children's theatre. From our productions that reach over 100,000 audience members each year to our educational outreach programs that inspire and empower 6,000 students in schools across our region, the Arden stands out as a haven for shared stories and a vital incubator to create new work.

The Arden has been an important force behind the vitality of the Old City neighborhood and in the Philadelphia cultural landscape. Last season, 2025/26, the Arden produced five Mainstage and two Arden Children's Theatre productions, resulting in 348 performances seen by more than 95,000 people.  The company is focused on returning to its previous performance levels of FY19, where we produced seven Mainstage and two Arden Children’s Theatre productions resulting in 508 performances seen by more than 106,000 people.

Mission
Arden Theatre Company is dedicated to bringing to life great stories by great storytellers on the stage, in the classroom, and in the community.

Great stories on the stage: We produce a wide range of stories in a variety of styles: classic and contemporary, intimate and epic, fiction and nonfiction, musical and dramatic. Producing the great playwrights allows us to measure ourselves against the masters of our craft while sharing the voices of new writers gives us the opportunity to shape the future of American theatre. We embrace stories for audiences of all ages and bring the same artistic quality to all our work.

Great stories in the classroom: Kids are celebrated at the Arden. We nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence through our educational programming. We foster connections between theatre and reading and promote literacy for our young audiences. We reach thousands of students each year, introducing many of our region's kids to theatre for the first time.

Great stories in the community: We believe in the power of stories to bring people together. We work to build a vital community of artists who excel creatively through shared experiences and with whom our audiences identify. The Arden strives to be Philadelphia's hometown theatre; we seek community partnerships and collaborations, make our work affordable and accessible, and train the next generation of theatre leaders, contributing to the region's cultural landscape

Position Summary:

The Arden Theatre Company’s Associate General Manager is a full-time professional position working alongside the company’s General Manager to support the company’s overall operations.  The Associate General Manager is responsible for the management of Arden’s front-of-house operations, including staffing, procedures, budgeting, and accessibility services.  The Associate General Manager also manages rental operations, including scheduling, staffing and planning.

The Associate General Manager will also support Arden administrative operations and facility systems by collaborating with General Manager and Building Supervisor in management of IT systems, office supplies, and facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Management of Arden Front-of-House

Box Office Operations

• Lead, oversee, and maintain full accountability for all Box Office operations.
• Recruit, train, and manage the Box Office Manager and Assistant Manager.
• Oversee the hiring, onboarding, and scheduling of Box Office staff.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve policies and procedures for daily box office operations.
• Manage all financial aspects of the box office, including transaction oversight, tracking, reporting, and adherence to the box office budget.
• Evaluate, select, and manage relationships with ticketing software providers.
• Provide front-of-house support as needed by filling staff roles during performances or events.

House Management

• Lead and oversee all House Management operations.
• Recruit, train, and supervise House Managers.
• Develop, implement, and ensure consistent execution of house management procedures and guest service standards.

Concessions Operations

• Direct and oversee all concessions operations, including financial performance and service delivery.
• Supervise the hiring, training, and scheduling of concessions staff.
• Develop and manage concessions plans, operating procedures, and budgets.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure quality products and services.
• Design and optimize concessions layouts, displays, and sales strategies to maximize revenue.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of Front of House technology, including POS systems, digital displays, and concessions equipment.

Accessibility Programs

• Lead and manage all accessibility initiatives to ensure an inclusive patron experience.
• Oversee programs such as captioning, assistive listening devices (ALDs), audio description, and other accessibility services.
• Manage accessibility equipment, including maintenance and inventory.
• Collaborate with internal departments to integrate accessibility into performance planning and scheduling.
• Build partnerships with community organizations and resources to expand and enhance accessibility offerings.

Rental Operations

• Manage rental inquiries, negotiate agreements, and oversee scheduling of rental events.
• Coordinate space usage and technical needs in collaboration with General Management, Production, and other departments.
• Recruit, train, and schedule rental staff; serve as the primary Arden representative during rental events as needed.

Administrative Operations Support

• Oversee company IT systems, including vendor management and staff support.
• Collaborate on office supply inventory management and purchasing.
• Assist in the development, coordination, and distribution of company-wide schedules, calendars, and communications.

Facility Systems Support

• Maintain working knowledge of all facility systems across Arden’s properties, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, structural, and security systems.
• Support the General Manager in overseeing facility system operations and maintenance.
• Provide staff training, guidance, and support related to facility systems as needed..

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with special projects across General Management, Operations, and Production as assigned.
• Support the development and implementation of systems that enhance organization, efficiency, and operational clarity.
• Create, maintain, and organize documentation of institutional procedures, policies, and best practices.
• Participate in cross-departmental collaboration to support organizational goals and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Have demonstrable experience in facilities management and maintenance.
• Be a successful collaborator with an ability to engage with a wide range of people.
• Have a broad-based knowledge of common facilities practices, equipment, and suppliers.
• Have budget management experience and the ability to create and monitor budgets and expenses.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Have creative judgment, excellent problem-solving skills, and be detail-oriented.
• Be willing and able to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theatre, which includes a variety of hours including evenings and weekends. 
• Be someone with initiative, creativity, and a collaborative spirit.  Must have the ability to work within a fast-paced, dedicated management team—rolling up your sleeves must be a favored tactic. 
• Express a passion for theatre and the Philadelphia cultural community with a genuine interest in becoming a driver of Arden’s mission and vision.

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to work productively and communicate effectively with others- both within the organization and with external stakeholders and supporters.
• Strong problem-solving skills: ability to think quickly, critically and strategically.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while effectively prioritizing responsibilities.
• Strong results-oriented mindset with a focus on achieving goals and driving outcomes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a high level of interpersonal effectiveness.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 50 pounds regularly/occasionally.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs regularly.
• Must be able to work while standing or sitting at a desk for extended periods.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders and work at height occasionally.
• Must be able to use and manipulate keys, hand tools, and other equipment.

Benefits:

• Arden Theatre Company provides Medical and Disability Insurance, Flexible Savings Plan, 403(b) Defined Contribution Plan, and paid vacation, personal, and holiday leave.

Arden Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an environment of mutual respect. Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.  Applicants from historically underrepresented groups in the theatre industry are strongly encouraged to apply.