Front of house manager
Also known as: venue house manager, theatrical house manager, theatre front of house manager, front of house supervisor, theater front of house supervisor, theatre front of house supervisor
About this occupation
Front of house managers are responsible for those areas of a live event venue that are accessible to the public. They make sure interaction with the customers or visitors goes smoothly and professionally. Front of house managers are responsible for ticket sales, any refreshments, and make sure spaces accessible to the public are set out properly. They interact with the venue manager and the stage manager.
Essential skills and knowledge
- ensure health and safety of visitors
- labour legislation
- manage staff
- negotiate health and safety issues with third parties
- monitor guest access
- prevent fire in a performance environment
- monitor ticketing
- promote health and safety
- react to emergency situations in a live performance environment
- manage a team
- carry out end of day accounts
- assess cleanliness of areas
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners (O*NET 13-1121.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
- Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
- Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
- Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
- Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
- Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Enterprising, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination
US median pay: US$61,160 a year (2025), 142,860 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.2)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.7)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.4)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Fundraisers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
- Project Management Specialists
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Media Programming Directors
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
- Recreation Workers
- Fundraising Managers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.