Guest Engagement Supervisor at Center Art LLC – Seattle, Washington

Center Art LLC, managed by the Space Needle LLC, partners with Chihuly Studio to operate the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition on the Seattle Center grounds next to the Space Needle.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Guest Engagement Supervisor supports Center Art’s mission, vision, and values, by applying work ethics based in excellence, competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, personalization, accountability, and ownership.

The Guest Engagement Supervisor will provide leadership, direction, and support for the Exhibition Host Team and Gallery Attendants. This position models exemplary hospitality while providing memorable guest experiences through gallery talks, focused art tours, demonstrations, and general conversation throughout the exhibition.

Responsibilities include supervising and scheduling a team; participating in programs/special events; maintaining and updating exhibition standards; attending meetings; reporting; hiring and training; working closely with other departmental leadership; general operations; and other duties as assigned.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS:

• Supervise and inspire a team of Gallery Attendants and Exhibition Hosts.
• Lead by example, demonstrating enthusiasm and a proactive approach to challenges, and promoting a can-do attitude within the team.
• Provide leadership that motivates others, exceeds standards, promotes safety, and ensures excellent customer service.
• Act as PIC for the Exhibitions Department when Guest Engagement Manager is not present.
• Acts with a composed, proactive, and organized demeanor during stressful situations.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive team environment, encouraging open communication and mutual respect.
• Shares responsibility of scheduling with Guest Engagement Manager – including team member schedules, day-to-day operations, tours, special events, demonstrations, and programming support. Has excellent communication skills.
• Provides basic and supplemental training to direct reports.
• Ensure that team activities and attitudes are in harmony with the organization's core values and culture, reinforcing the company's mission and vision.
• Works with the Guest Engagement Manager to maintain, update, and create new educational content that aligns with departmental goals and company mission.
• Contributes to interviewing, hiring, training, performance reviews, approving timesheets, discipline, feedback, and overall supervision of all direct reports.
• Conducts gallery talks, guided tours, and VIP Tours of the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition. Ability to do this on short notice confidently.
• Contributes to managing all tour equipment, radio systems, host kits and other supplies.
• Updates and maintains departmental standard operating procedures, training materials, and other educational resources.
• Attends internal and external meetings.
• Works with the Guest Engagement Manager to keep track of talks, tours, and education station. Sends host reports to higher exhibitions leadership.
• Follows specific departmental budgets and goals.
• Working knowledge in excel and SharePoint. Use a solution focused and proactive approach to administrative tasks.
• Ability to work independently and balance administrative duties with on the floor duties.
• Provides outstanding hospitality and model behavior for the team. Shows good de-escalation skills in both team member altercations and guest-facing scenarios.
• Assists with special programming, art maintenance, and other departmental activities.
• Assists in preserving the collections by providing additional security in exhibition areas.
• Provides information about the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition, other attractions, Seattle, and the surrounding area.
• Promotes a positive, courteous, and professional attitude and appearance to all Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition Team Members and visitors.
• Engages with visitors in a friendly and outgoing manner.
• Serves as an “interpreter” of the exhibition art by helping to give the guest a deeper appreciation for the artwork.
• Actively involves the visitors in the unbiased interpretation of the art.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sensitivity to visitor’s learning styles and interpretation of the art. Sensitivity to team member’s learning styles and interpretation of the art.
• Maintain working knowledge of all Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition policies and procedures.
• Know Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition emergency and fire/life/safety procedures.
• Reassures the guests in times of emergency and participate as needed in emergency procedures.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Lead level or above experience of high-volume customer service experience.
• Lead level or above experience supervising, scheduling, and motivating a team.
• Experience using Microsoft Office.
• Proven success in public speaking or tour guide experience.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and across other functional areas.
• Ability to plan and execute that plan in a timely and efficient manner.
• Professional appearance and attitude.
• Demonstrated history of incredible dependability and reliability.
• Demonstrated history of organizing and tracking sensitive information.
• Strong people skills.
• Ability to react quickly and confidently and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working with a diverse population and varied points of view.
• Ability to effectively communicate using the English language.
• Physical demands – Ambulatory, ability to stand for long periods of time, ability to climb a ladder, walk upstairs, and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Availability - Must be able to work evenings and weekends consistently. Must be a reliable team member who meets dependability expectations in performance reviews.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Knowledge of Seattle and surrounding area.
• Knowledge of art history.
• Enthusiasm for art education and community engagement.
• Basic excel skills
• Educator or Training experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Full Time, Hourly Position

Hourly Rate: $25.05 - $27.00 / hour

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability
• 401k plan, we will match 50% of the first 6% you contribute, equivalent to 3% of your wages
• Deferred compensation into 401(k) account at company Shareholder discretion. Eligible to begin participating after one year of service with an annual plan entry date of October 1st.
• Paid Holidays (7 per year)
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation pay (3 weeks accrual after one year of service)
• Tuition reimbursement of 50%, up to $2500 / year
• New child family leave up to 4 weeks while on approved FLMA and enrolled in company sponsored medical plan
• 35% discount for many purchases at our Retail and F&B Experiences (Discount not applied towards admission ticket purchases)
• 4 friends and family admission tickets per year.
• Charitable Contributions / Matching Gift, up to $500 year
• $165 / month towards orca card or parking

At Chihuly Garden and Glass, we believe in building a vibrant community by connecting people to art in meaningful ways. As an equal opportunity employer, we make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, physical, or mental disability, military status, political ideology, genetic information, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law. All Team Members and potential Team Members who apply for an opening will be considered without regard to these factors. We carefully screen applicants based on qualifications such as their training, education, skills, aptitude, experience, and previous work record.