A Box Office Manager is responsible for overseeing the sale of all tickets, while also being responsible for transactions and ensuring the security of money exchanged.
What are the main responsibilities of a Box Office Manager?
- Supervising Box Office staff including Ticket Sellers and Assistants
- Providing excellent customer service to all attendees of a production
- Ensure staff members are properly trained to operate the ticket system and that they’re familiar with the policies and procedures
- Create department schedules
- Hiring new staff and completing performance evaluations
- Coordinate with the venue owner and production staff to establish ticket prices and ensure proper collections of all taxes and fees if applicable
- For each performance the Box Office Manager must deliver the house count (number of tickets sold) and identify any audience members who may have specific access requirements to the House Manager.
- Responsible for counting both electronic and cash transactions
- Monitor and assign cash drawers to Ticket Sellers at the start of each work day and must ensure the box office takings correspond to the tickets sold
Search opportunities to help you get into theatre here
What qualifications do I need?
You do not need any formal qualifications to become a Box Office Manager, although customer service and management experience is beneficial. For additional training, Business Administration or Accounting could provide the necessary skills for this role.
What skills do I need?
- Attention to detail
- Numeracy skills
- People skills
- Responsible
- Dependable
- Team player
- Able to lead a team
- Effective conflict resolution skills
What does a career in Box Office Management look like?
You can begin your career as a Box Office staff member as this is a standard requirement to be a Box Office Manager. Many of those who work in the box office often began as Front of House Staff or Ushers. Read our blogs 'What do Front of House Staff do?' and 'What does an Usher do?' It is likely you will have an interview for the role of a Box Office Manager. Read our blog 'How to tackle nerves and anxiety before an interview or audition.'
How much can I earn?
Box Office Managers can be both full-time, part-time or contracted. SOLT/Bectu rates for 2024 suggest a 40 hour weekly rate of £717.57 for the top role in Box Office.
The above is a guide. Pay, salary or fee can vary depending on the theatre or company, as well as your personal experience. National institutions or commercial productions can pay in excess of the above, with profit-share or community theatre paying less.
You can find theatre jobs via The Stage Jobs here
References:
https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/box-office-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
https://www.artsjobs.org.uk/jobs/search/43443
https://www.mgcfutures.com/box-office-manager/
https://www.spektrix.com/en-gb/blog/theatre-box-office-manager-interview
https://members.bectu.org.uk/advice-resources/library/3176
Photo: Alex Brenner
Updated: 6th June 2024
