Theater Manager - IMAX Experience

Chihuly Garden and Glass•Seattle, WA

35d•$70,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Theater Manager serves as the operational and cultural nucleus of Center Art’s 373-seat IMAX experience. As a liaison between Center Art, LLC and Pacific Science Center, this role ensures seamless coordination, exceptional film presentation, and Transforming Moments for every guest. The Theater Manager oversees all daily operations including custodial, concessions, safety and security, access control, staffing, projection technology, and the overall theater environment. This leader represents Center Art as an ambassador of arts, culture, and community engagement on the Seattle Center campus. Key Responsibilities: Ensure daily theater readiness, smooth operations, partner coordination, and adherence to standards. Oversee all aspects of daily theater operations, including the IMAX cinema, lounge, queueing areas, concessions zone, and adjacent public spaces. Ensure operational readiness at opening, efficient flow throughout the day, and proper close-out procedures. Maintain strong working relationships with Chihuly Garden and Glass, Space Needle, and Pacific Science Center teams (Facilities, Security, IT, Operations, Marketing, Guest Services, and Exhibits). Ensure compliance with all operational standards, SOPs, safety protocols, and Seattle Center campus requirements. Develop, maintain, and modify venue operating hours, budget plans, and transitions between general operations and private/special events. Foster Transform Moments and company Values by ensuring warm hospitality, knowledgeable staff, and a clean, welcoming environment. Hire, train, schedule, and develop team members while promoting a strong service culture. Every role is designed to “flex” strengthening the overall culture and organization’s ability to adapt and thrive. Flex Team Members and Leadership will be trained to assist any member of the team. Maintain cleanliness and uphold 5S standards, address and/or escalate facility issues, manage vendor agreements and relationships. Support high-quality film/audio, equipment maintenance & replacement, and coordinate with technical teams for reliability on uptime. Manage concessions quality, speed of service, compliance, inventory, and guest service integration. Ensure guest and staff safety, emergency readiness, and efficient crowd flow. Manage payroll, scheduling needs, flex service and sales rotation, and breaks. Support budgeting, cost control, and revenue reporting. Track attendance, staffing performance, and operational KPIs. Maintain operational logs, SOP compliance, and documentation, including opening and closing checklists. Review and manage inventory, purchasing needs, and vendor coordination.

Requirements

Excellent guest service skills and demonstrated leadership experience with P&L responsibility.
Minimum 1 year of proven management experience in a high-volume, guest-facing environment.
Ability to work a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
POS system experience and ability to learn multiple platforms.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift up to 35 lbs for extended periods.
Strong communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution abilities.
Food Handler’s Permit.
WA State TIPS training certification

Nice To Haves

Experience in theater, cinema, or live event operations.
AV or projection technology familiarity (IMAX preferred).
Experience supervising concessions or food service.
Knowledge of guest journey & flow strategies, custodial standards, & facility operations.
Background in arts, culture, attractions, or Seattle Center–based environments.

Responsibilities

Ensure daily theater readiness, smooth operations, partner coordination, and adherence to standards.
Oversee all aspects of daily theater operations, including the IMAX cinema, lounge, queueing areas, concessions zone, and adjacent public spaces.
Ensure operational readiness at opening, efficient flow throughout the day, and proper close-out procedures.
Maintain strong working relationships with Chihuly Garden and Glass, Space Needle, and Pacific Science Center teams (Facilities, Security, IT, Operations, Marketing, Guest Services, and Exhibits).
Ensure compliance with all operational standards, SOPs, safety protocols, and Seattle Center campus requirements.
Develop, maintain, and modify venue operating hours, budget plans, and transitions between general operations and private/special events.
Foster Transform Moments and company Values by ensuring warm hospitality, knowledgeable staff, and a clean, welcoming environment.
Hire, train, schedule, and develop team members while promoting a strong service culture.
Maintain cleanliness and uphold 5S standards, address and/or escalate facility issues, manage vendor agreements and relationships.
Support high-quality film/audio, equipment maintenance & replacement, and coordinate with technical teams for reliability on uptime.
Manage concessions quality, speed of service, compliance, inventory, and guest service integration.
Ensure guest and staff safety, emergency readiness, and efficient crowd flow.
Manage payroll, scheduling needs, flex service and sales rotation, and breaks.
Support budgeting, cost control, and revenue reporting.
Track attendance, staffing performance, and operational KPIs.
Maintain operational logs, SOP compliance, and documentation, including opening and closing checklists.
Review and manage inventory, purchasing needs, and vendor coordination.

Benefits

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.
Vacation pay (3 weeks accrual after one year of service)
Paid Holidays (7 per year)
2 personal days / year
Paid sick leave (accrued at the rate of one hour sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 72 hours each year)
Tuition reimbursement of 50%, up to $2500 / year (certain conditions must be met)
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
Paid parking or up to $250 / month towards an orca card