| Job Description: |
The Patron Services Coordinator is a forward-facing role at UF Performing Arts, focused on creating welcoming, seamless experiences for patrons, artists, and campus partners at every event. Supporting front-of-house operations, reception services, and event staffing, this position helps ensure performances, rehearsals, and special events are accessible, well-coordinated, and smoothly executed. Ideal for a people-centered, organized professional who enjoys a fast-paced, live-event environment, the role combines planning with hands-on support assisting with staff and volunteer coordination, scheduling, and event logistics while upholding high standards of customer service, accessibility, and safety.
About UF & UF Performing Arts
University of Florida Performing Arts (UFPA) is one of the country’s leading university presenters, dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural hub that presents world-class performances and artistic experiences for the University of Florida campus and the North Central Florida community. More than just a presenter, UFPA believes the performing arts are for everyone, offering a diverse season of music, dance, theater, and spoken word that inspires, educates, and connects audiences while reflecting the richness of global artistic expression. Performances take place across several distinctive venues: the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featuring a 1,700-seat mainstage theatre with reception foyers and an intimate UpStage setting; the Squitieri Studio Theatre a black box style theatre with approximately 200 seats; the historic University Auditorium, celebrated for it’s acoustics with seating for around 840 ; and the Baughman Center, an elegant serene space accommodating about 96 guests for smaller events and community gatherings.
As a dynamic university unit, UFPA supports campus events and fosters meaningful engagement through the arts, welcoming both campus and community audiences. Patron experience, accessibility, and hospitality are central to UFPA’s mission, which also includes a strong commitment to community engagement through arts education, school partnerships, and outreach programs that bring creativity directly to students and area residents. UFPA’s mission is to ignite cultural and artistic connections for the students, residents, and visitors of North Central Florida.
About the Opportunity
The Patron Services Coordinator serves as a key member of the UFPA operations and event services team, providing leadership for front-of-house personnel and volunteers while overseeing daily reception operations. This position is ideal for a highly organized, people-centered professional who thrives in a fast-paced, event-driven environment and enjoys balancing planning, supervision, and public-facing service.
Key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing reception office operations, including visitor services, mail, phone coverage, lost and found, parking permits, and event tracking
- Coordinating day-to-day front-of-house operations
- Developing, managing, and publishing FOH staffing schedules for performances, rentals, rehearsals, and special events
- Supervising FOH staff and volunteers during events, including ushers, reception staff, and other event personnel
- Recruiting, training, onboarding, and supporting hourly FOH staff and volunteers
- Planning and executing volunteer recognition, training, and engagement events
- Supporting payroll tracking, recordkeeping, and event expense reconciliation
- Collaborating closely with the Event Services Coordinator and operations leadership to support seamless event execution
- This role also plays a critical part in upholding UFPA standards related to customer service, ADA accessibility, safety procedures, and risk management.
Gainesville offers a vibrant blend of culture, education, and natural beauty. Home to the University of Florida, the city features a lively arts scene, historic neighborhoods, abundant parks, and easy access to Florida’s springs, beaches, and outdoor recreation. Gainesville provides the energy of a college town with the quality of life of a close-knit community.
Work Schedule
The standard schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; however, due to the nature of performing arts and event operations, this role requires flexibility and regular work outside traditional business hours including frequent evening, weekend, and variable-hour shifts to support performances, rentals, and special events. Schedule adjustments are made based on event needs and with advanced notice.
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