Theater & Operations Manager

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Pay: $75,000.00 – $85,000.00 per year

Experience: Movie Theater or Arts Venue Management: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: On-Site — Manhasset, NY 11030

Status: Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

About the Position

Assemble Cinemas will reopen the Manhasset Cinemas — a historic 1936 three-screen cinema in Manhasset, New York — this fall. The venue will present first-run and curated repertory programming alongside an elevated concession experience.

The Theater & Operations Manager serves as the senior on-site leader responsible for the day-to-day operation of the theater and for delivering an exceptional guest experience across all screenings, private events, and community programming. Reporting directly to ownership, this position provides operational leadership across front-of-house operations, guest services, staffing, projection and presentation, POS system and other back end workflows, facility readiness, safety, and event execution. The role serves as the primary operational decision-maker during business hours and public events, ensuring that all programming is delivered seamlessly and to a high standard of hospitality.

We are seeking a personable, hands-on leader — someone willing to clean, run concessions, and work the floor as needed. No role on this team is above any task, and the manager leads by example.

Demonstrated management experience in a theater, event venue, or comparable hospitality operation is required for this role.

Reports to: Ownership  |  Supervises: All Theater Staff 

Primary Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

– Oversee the day-to-day operation of the theater, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained environment for guests, staff, and community partners

– Serve as the primary operational leader on site, responsible for resolving day-to-day issues and exercising sound judgment regarding matters requiring escalation to ownership

– Develop, implement, and continually improve operational procedures to enhance efficiency, communication, and the overall guest experience

– Monitor daily operations to ensure all screenings and events begin on schedule and operate smoothly

Front-of-House Operations & Guest Experience

– Direct all front-of-house operations, including guest services, concessions, box office and ticketing support, usher operations, and lobby management

– Establish and maintain exceptional customer service and presentation standards throughout the venue

– Respond to guest concerns and service issues, resolving situations professionally and implementing appropriate service recovery measures

– Oversee the concession program, including inventory management, vendor relationships, margin performance, and per-capita spending, and support the introduction of beer and wine service upon licensure

Staff Leadership & Supervision

– Recruit, hire, onboard, train, schedule, supervise, and develop a staff of approximately 10–14 part-time and full-time employees, including the Assistant Manager, Projectionist, shift leads, concessions staff, ushers, and porters

– Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and employee development

– Foster a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented workplace culture

– Conduct performance evaluations and manage employee relations matters and staffing recommendations

Projection & Presentation

– Oversee the theater's projection and sound operations, approving the weekly show schedule and ensuring that playlist creation, content and KDM ingestion, and routine quality assurance are properly executed by the Projectionist across all three auditoriums

– Supervise the theater's projectionist and operate the projection and sound systems directly when the projectionist is not on duty

– Serve as the first-line resource for projection, sound, and presentation issues, coordinating with the theater's audiovisual partner on matters requiring specialized service

– Support the execution of special formats and programming, including repertory titles, private screenings, and alternative content

Community Engagement & Local Presence

– Serve as the primary local representative of the theater, building and maintaining relationships with schools, civic organizations, local businesses, religious institutions, and community groups

– Ensure that local businesses, institutions, and community organizations are consistently informed of the theater's programming and engaged in its offerings

– Coordinate the operational execution of private rentals, special screenings, filmmaker conversations, school screenings, and community events, including staffing, setup, vendor support, concessions, and logistics from setup through breakdown

– Provide ownership with regular insight regarding community interests, programming opportunities, and local partnerships

Facility Operations

– Maintain the overall appearance, cleanliness, safety, and operational readiness of the facility

– Coordinate preventative maintenance, repairs, and vendor services

– Ensure compliance with ADA requirements, health and safety standards, fire and emergency procedures, alcohol regulations, and all applicable codes

Financial & Administrative Responsibilities

– Manage the theater's operating budget, including labor scheduling, cost controls, and operational expenses

– Oversee cash handling procedures and daily reconciliation

– Maintain operational records and provide daily reporting to ownership

– Work with accounting team to ensure all POS data, invoices, and bills are handled timely

– Perform additional responsibilities as directed by ownership

Qualifications

– A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible management experience in theater operations, hospitality, entertainment, or a related guest-focused environment

– Demonstrated experience leading teams, supervising employees, and managing daily operations; direct profit-and-loss or budget responsibility preferred

– Proficiency with point-of-sale, theater operations, and ticketing software, and comfort with standard business tools (email, spreadsheets, shared drives, and team messaging)

– Working knowledge of digital projection systems is strongly preferred; at minimum, candidates must demonstrate the technical aptitude to attain proficiency promptly

– Demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with community institutions, local businesses, and civic organizations

– Exceptional customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills, with sound judgment and professionalism under pressure

– Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

– A genuine commitment to the theatrical exhibition experience and to hospitality-driven operations

– First aid and CPR certification is a plus

– Education: High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Schedule

This position requires regular on-site daytime, evening, weekend, holiday, and special event availability based on the theater's programming schedule. Vacation during the opening season and major holiday periods is limited and requires advance approval. This does not affect leave protected by law, including New York State paid sick leave.

Additional Details

Benefits: 

Dental insurance, Employee discount, Health insurance, Paid time off, Vision insurance

All employees accrue New York State paid sick leave; eligible employees are also covered by New York State Paid Family Leave and paid prenatal leave.

Any offer of employment is contingent on a post-offer background check. Criminal history is reviewed on an individual basis in accordance with New York Correction Law Article 23-A, and a criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate.

Assemble Cinemas is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, marital or familial status, domestic violence victim status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, New York State, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply, interview, or perform the essential functions of this role, let us know at any point in the process and we will work with you. You can reach us at jobs@assemblecinemas.com.