Front Desk Manager

Front Desk Manager Become a part of one of the Bay Area’s most beloved arts organizations. Circus Center is hiring for a Front Desk Manager to ensure outstanding customer service for our program participants and staff.Reports to: Executive DirectorEmployment Type: Hourly, Full Time Regular (40 hours/week)Schedule: Monday - Friday 11 am - 7 pmLocation: On‐site at Circus Center, 755 Frederick Street, San Francisco, CAHourly rate: Hourly rate: $27–$31/hour, DOEBenefits: Benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, transportation reimbursement, and class discounts. Role SummaryThe Front Desk Manager is a senior administrative and customer-facing leader responsible for ensuring that Circus Center’s front desk operations are consistently staffed, highly functional, and aligned with values of safety, clarity, hospitality, and professionalism.This role combines hands-on front desk work, customer service leadership, and systems and team design. The Front Desk Manager owns both the day-to-day experience of students, families, and visitors and the structure, staffing model, and policies that make that experience reliable and scalable via the Front Desk team. Core Outcomes (What Success Looks Like) The front desk is staffed during all Circus Center business hours. Unstaffed periods are rare exceptions, not the norm.Students, parents, instructors, and other visitors receive clear, consistent, and professional information, regardless of who is working the desk.Front desk issues are solved systemically (via policies, documentation, schedules, and training), not unnecessarily escalated or patched ad‐hoc.Front desk staff are scheduled, trained, and deployed effectively to meet operational needs.The Front Desk Manager is a visible, trusted leader on site who balances strong customer service with firm boundaries.  Key Responsibilities Customer Service Ownership Personally deliver high-quality, professional customer service at the front desk during assigned shifts.Own the quality and consistency of all front-desk customer service, both live/in-person and via info@circuscenter.org and other front-desk inboxes.Ensure timely, accurate, and courteous responses to inquiries regarding programs, schedules, enrollments, policies, faculty, and facilities.Take the lead on handling escalated customer service issues, resolving concerns professionally and with appropriate boundaries.Establish clear customer service standards, scripts, and escalation paths, and ensure the team is trained and aligned.Front Desk Coverage & Operations Ensure the front desk is staffed for 100% of defined business hours.Own scheduling for Front Desk Administrators, including contingency planning and coverage for absences.Personally provide coverage, including when no substitute is available.Maintain a welcoming, orderly, and professional lobby and front‐of‐house environment.Check and restock bathrooms as neededTeam Leadership, Structure, & Utilization Hire, train, schedule, and supervise a small, high‐expertise Front Desk team designed to provide reliable coverage during all business hours.Define, document, and continuously refine front desk roles, responsibilities, and scopes of work, negotiating alignment with stakeholders as needed.Build a culture of collaboration and a “yes, and” mindset within the Front Desk team, positioning the desk as a trusted and solutions‐oriented partner.Design staffing models that favor fewer staff members working more consistent weekly hours, enabling deeper expertise, stronger relationships, and clearer communication.Ensure consistent performance across staff through documentation, training, and oversight.Customer Service & Policy Ownership Become an expert in all customer‐facing policies, procedures, and communications.Translate institutional knowledge into clear scripts, FAQs, and written policies for staff and customers.Ensure front desk communications are accurate, consistent, and aligned with Circus Center standards.Uphold boundaries professionally in complex or emotionally charged situations.Problem Solving & Systems Thinking Identify recurring issues or sources of confusion and design scalable solutions.Create, update, and document processes to reduce ambiguity and operational friction.Act independently to resolve issues within scope, escalating only when appropriate.Use feedback from staff and stakeholders to improve systems and workflows.Administrative & Transactional Duties Greet and check in students, staff, and visitors.Assist students with account management, enrollments, schedules, and purchases.Process payments and merchandise sales; properly log and drop daily cash sales.Support class enrollments and registrations.Coordinate party rentals including ensuring event is properly staffedCoordinate ticket sales for eventsReceive and distribute mail, packages, and deliveries.Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming lobby.Support inventory management, including periodic inventory checks and restocking coordination.Collaboration, Scope Alignment & Stakeholders Partner with leadership, Department Chairs, instructors, and administrative staff to clarify what is in scope vs. out of scope for the Front Desk teamEstablish responsibilities and handoffs across stakeholder groups thoughtfully to reduce confusion, duplication, and dropped work.Serve as a key liaison for students, parents, instructors, staff, and other community members.Coordinate with Administrative staff, Department Chairs, and leadership to ensure smooth daily operations.Represent Circus Center professionally to external partners and visitors. Qualifications & Experience Required:3 years prior front desk, reception, or customer‐facing administrative experience.Demonstrated experience supervising or coordinating the work of others.Proven ability to manage schedules, priorities, and operational details.Strong customer service skills with the ability to set and maintain boundaries. Comfort working on site and serving as a visible front‐of‐house leader.Preferred:Experience in arts, education, nonprofit, or community‐based organizations.Familiarity with booking, POS, or scheduling systems (Momence a plus).Physical & Environmental Requirements Ability to sit, stand, walk, and climb stairs throughout the shiftAbility to lift up to 30 lbs unassistedAbility to work in a busy, public‐facing environment with variable noise and temperature conditions About Circus Center Originally founded in 1974 as The Pickle Family Circus, today Circus Center remains a vibrant hub of the circus community on the West Coast. Circus Center is a San Francisco institution, bringing circus arts to our community so anyone can experience the innovation, creativity and wonder of the circus arts. Throughout the year, Circus Center produces professional-quality shows starring our students, instructors, and community members. For more information visit: circuscenter.orgTo apply please send resume and cover letter to: jobs@circuscenter.org Circus Center is an at‐will employer and an equal opportunity employer. Employment is contingent upon adherence to Circus Center policies and Code of Conduct. Company DescriptionAbout Circus Center Originally founded in 1974 as The Pickle Family Circus, today Circus Center remains a vibrant hub of the circus community on the West Coast. Circus Center is a San Francisco institution, bringing circus arts to our community so anyone can experience the innovation, creativity and wonder of the circus arts. Throughout the year, Circus Center produces professional-quality shows starring our students, instructors, and community members. For more information visit: circuscenter.org

Salary : $27 - $31