SBIFF Film Center Manager

SBIFF FILM CENTER

Theater Manager

Company Information

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 39 years, SBIFF has become one of the top 10 film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200 films, tributes and symposiums, fulfilling our mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film.

SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community throughout many free educational programs and events. SBIFF’s programs support over 18,000 kids, students and families in our local community by introducing film as an art form to young children with programs like AppleBox and Mike’s FieldTrip to the Movies; teaching film analysis to high school and college students with programs like Rosebud and the Film Studies Program; and teaching the craft of screenwriting and filmmaking with Film Camp and 10-10-10 Mentorship programs. Most importantly SBIFF’s programs are always directed towards the under-represented and under-served communities within Santa Barbara County.

In 2016, SBIFF acquired the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. After a capital campaign and renovation, the theatre is now SBIFF’s state-of-the-art, year-round home, showing new international and independent films every day. In 2019, SBIFF opened its own Education Center in downtown Santa Barbara on State Street to serve as a home for its many educational programs and a place for creativity and learning. In 2024, with support from the City of Santa Barbara, SBIFF acquired SBIFF’s Film Center; a 5-plex movie theatre at 916 State St in the heart of downtown. The theatre is currently undergoing a state-of-the-art renovation that will exponentially elevate SBIFF’s impact to new heights as well as secure the future of the annual 11 day Film Festival.

Job Description

We are looking to hire a passionate and dedicated full-time manager to build a strong team, as well as manage all aspects of the theater operation and the building. The SBIFF Film Center will be open 7 days a week and on all holidays (365 days a year). Staff will be tasked with assuring that the theatre runs smoothly so that every single guest has an outstanding experience.

Ensure successful daily theatre operations by:

• Providing service that is friendly, helpful and fast
• Going above and beyond in customer service and staff management
• Maintaining facilities that are clean, safe and in good repair
• Providing an experience that is comfortable, distraction-free and picture-perfect
• Serving fresh, appetizing and properly prepared snacks and beverages

Responsibilities

The Theater Manager reports to the Director of Theater Operations and the SBIFF Managing Director and is responsible for but not limited to the list below:

• Staff Management
• Create and maintain a positive, productive, safe work environment and encourage all staff to report issues as soon as they arise using an open-door policy
• Build and train a team of two assistant managers, supervisors and theater staff (there are some returning employees)
• Hiring, training, scheduling, and disciplinary actions including termination
• Follow/implement company policies and procedures
• Have regular staff meetings to address any issues early and make sure that all staff are up to date on any changes to operations or changes in policy
• Perform employee performance appraisals every 6 months to recognize and reward good performance and address any areas that may need improvement
• Investigate and address any HR complaints as soon as they are brought to your attention, with the assistance of the Theater Operations Director and the SBIFF Managing Director
• Concession Management
• Provide service that is friendly, helpful and fast to all of our guests
• Ensure staff have everything they need to provide appetizing, properly prepared snacks and drinks
• Order stock from various vendors including concession supplies and janitorial items, based on expected business levels to minimize loss
• Regular inventory reconciliation and investigation of any discrepancies
• Ensure all concession equipment is regularly cleaned/serviced and in good working order
• Work with vendors to perform regular maintenance on all equipment
• Technology Management
• Keep all workstations/POS systems/displays updated and in good working order
• Work with the Theater Operations Director on any IT tasks/rollouts
• Perform basic troubleshooting of computer/network issues before contacting the Theater Operations Director
• Projection Management (training will be provided)
• Ensure outstanding on-screen presentation by diligently checking all projection equipment and working with the Director of Theater Operations to maintain all systems in good working order
• Manage print traffic for incoming films (ensuring content is delivered and associated decryption keys have been received)
• Build pre-approved show playlists including upcoming trailers/promotional clips/queues
• Test all content on screen at least 24 hours before the first screening to find the ideal volume level and check that the picture, sound, masking, subtitles and hearing impaired/visually impaired elements are working properly
• Coordinate and run any events and rentals, with the help of the Theater Operations Director (this can be live shows, film screenings, lectures, Q&A’s, birthday parties, etc.)
• Theater Operations
• Use the weekly Theater Analysis and the yearly Grosses spreadsheets to assess business levels to aid in ordering stock and scheduling the appropriate amount of staff hours
• Create the weekly staff schedule and send it out on Tuesday by end of day, making sure to schedule the appropriate amount of staff hours for the expected business levels and any events or maintenance that needs to be done
• Work with vendors to perform PM services on all equipment including HVAC, projection equipment, water filtration system, etc.
• Spend time on the floor working and mentoring your team, making connections with regular customers and interacting with the downtown community
• Keep track of all marketing materials such as posters, displays and review boards and ensure they are placed appropriately throughout the building
• Process, review and submit bi-weekly payroll reports
• Pick up physical paychecks at the SBIFF office twice per month (for staff who do not elect to do direct deposit)
• Prepare the weekly bank deposit and place change orders for any small bills/coins required
• Work with the Theater Operations Director and Managing Director on projects or special assignments

Position Requirements 

• Three or more years of management experience or similar, with references
• 40 hours over 5 days per week (days off are negotiable but generally are Tuesday and Wednesday)
• Must work holidays 
• Excellent customer service, training and leadership skills
• Experience with POS systems, cash handling and back office administration
• Effective written and oral communication skills along with strong analytical skills
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines in a timely fashion
• Strong organizational planning and time management skills
• A good understanding of workplace safety, sexual harassment prevention (training provided), California labor laws and applicable ADA laws
• A good understanding of the Windows operating system
• A good understanding of Google Docs/Google Sheets/Office365
• A basic understanding of technology, networking and audio/video operations is helpful but not strictly required
• The ability to keep calm in stressful situations, taking the time to make good decisions and relaying instructions to other employees and guests clearly
• Be on call at all times to take emergency calls from staff when not on site if there are operational or projection issues and respond in-person if necessary (some troubleshooting can be done remotely)
• Open-mindedness and the ability to learn new tasks, new ways of doing things, or doing things you have not previously done

Compensation

 An annual salary of $70,000 (paid bi-weekly minus customary withholdings)

• Retirement plan with annual employer contribution
• Medical and Dental insurance 
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Paid time off (total of two weeks accrued each year)
• A parking permit 
• Free movies at the SBIFF Film Center and the SBIFF Riviera Theatre
• Access to special events/premieres/screenings with Q&As
• Private screenings after hours, upon approval

SBIFF is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.