Guest Services Assistant

Starting Salary Expectations: $15.00 per hour

About Maryville College:

Maryville College is a nationally ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years, we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders to study everything so that they are prepared for anything. Our graduates are equipped to address complex problems, engage with diverse communities, and launch meaningful careers.

Nestled in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, our campus combines the beauty of a rural setting with the advantages of an urban center. With a wide range of academic programs and a strong tradition of career preparation, our alumni live “strong of mind and brave of heart,” carrying forward our Presbyterian founder’s charge to do good on the largest possible scale.

Mission

At Maryville College, we offer more than a mission-we offer support. Our employees receive a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; a generous paid time off program; a retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%; tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependents; and the opportunity to grow in a collaborative community that values professional excellence and personal well-being.

“Maryville College prepares students for lives of citizenship and leadership as we challenge each one to search for truth, grow in wisdom, work for justice and dedicate a life of creativity and service to the peoples of the world.”

Values:

• Scholarship: We commit ourselves to lifelong curiosity and learning, to the search for knowledge, and to intellectual creativity.
• Respect: We commit ourselves to honor the worth, dignity, and freedom of ourselves and all creation, and to treat others as we wish to be treated.
• Integrity: We commit ourselves to truth, honesty, dependability, and responsibility in all our actions and relationships.

Position Purpose

The Guest Services Assistant supports front-of-house and guest services operations at the Clayton Center for the Arts, helping create a welcoming, professional, accessible, and memorable experience for guests attending performances, events, exhibitions, and community programs. The position contributes to the success of the Clayton Center by providing excellent customer service, supporting ticketing and event operations, and assisting with hospitality and audience engagement.

SUMMARY

The Guest Services Assistant serves as a primary point of contact for guests of the Clayton Center for the Arts. Working under the Director of Operations & Guest Services, this position provides support for ticketing, front-of-house operations, performances, rentals, receptions, donor gatherings, and other special events.

The Guest Services Assistant works collaboratively with Box Office, Guest Services, technical, and administrative staff to ensure smooth event execution and a consistently high standard of hospitality. The position requires flexibility, professionalism, reliability, and regular evening and weekend availability.

Education and Experience required to ensure success in this position:

Education required to ensure success in this position:

High school diploma or equivalent required. Additional education or training in hospitality, customer service, arts administration, tourism, communications, or a related area preferred.

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

Previous customer service, hospitality, retail, ticketing, tourism, or other public-facing experience preferred. Experience in a theatre, performing arts center, museum, event venue, or cultural organization is a plus. Experience working with ticketing or point-of-sale systems is preferred but not required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership and Collaboration:

Work collaboratively with Clayton Center staff, student employees, volunteers, artists, renters, and campus partners.

Communicate proactively with the Director of Operations & Guest Services regarding guest concerns, operational needs, and event-related issues.

Participate in staff meetings, event briefings, and training as required.

Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, professionalism, and teamwork in all assigned responsibilities.

Data, Technology, and Compliance

Sell tickets to individuals and groups for Clayton Center performances and programs.

Assist guests with ticket purchases, exchanges, and general Box Office inquiries in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Maintain familiarity with the Clayton Center’s performance calendar, programs, policies, and facilities in order to provide accurate information to guests.

Follow established safety, emergency, guest-service, ticketing, and cash-handling procedures.

Stakeholder and Institutional Support

Greet and assist guests in a professional, courteous, and engaging manner.

Provide accurate information regarding performances, exhibitions, facilities, accessibility services, parking, and upcoming events.

Assist guests with seating, will-call, ticketing questions, lost-and-found, accessibility needs, and other special accommodations.

Provide personalized assistance to donors, members, artists, community partners, and special guests as appropriate.

Respond professionally and efficiently to guest questions and concerns, escalating matters to the Director of Operations & Guest Services when necessary.

Support the Director of Operations & Guest Services in developing relationships with local restaurants, hotels, and community partners to enhance the guest experience.

Operations and Technical Oversight

Coordinate with the Director of Operations & Guest Services, Box Office, House Management, and technical staff to support efficient event operations.

Assist with guest arrival, lobby preparation, seating, program distribution, and other front-of-house responsibilities.

Help maintain the cleanliness, organization, presentation, and readiness of lobby and public spaces.

Support performances, rentals, receptions, donor gatherings, community programs, and other special events as assigned.

Fiscal Oversight

Support accurate ticket sales and point-of-sale transactions in accordance with established procedures.

Exercise appropriate care and accountability when handling payments, tickets, and other Center resources.

Strategic Planning and Sustainability

Support group sales, audience development, and promotional efforts as assigned.

Assist with providing information about community amenities and destination experiences to visiting guests, artists, and groups.

Help strengthen the Clayton Center’s role as a welcoming cultural destination for Maryville College and the broader community.

Other:

Perform other responsibilities and special projects as assigned to advance the College’s mission and maintain a respectful, collaborative learning environment.

NOTE: Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty, and students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Strong commitment to customer service and hospitality.
• Professional, friendly, and guest-focused demeanor.
• Ability to interact effectively with community members, donors, artists, students, faculty, staff, and visiting groups.
• Ability to remain calm, courteous, and solutions-oriented when responding to guest concerns or unexpected situations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, public-facing environment.
• Strong reliability, punctuality, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work independently while functioning effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to learn and use ticketing, point-of-sale, and event communication technology.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including regular evenings and weekends.

License, Certification, or Registration Necessary:

None required.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

• Work is primarily performed in a public-facing performing arts and event environment.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods during performances and events.
• Must be able to move throughout the Clayton Center’s performance, lobby, gallery, and public spaces.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Must be able to assist with light event setup, including moving programs, signage, stanchions, and other guest-services materials.
• Regular evening and weekend work is required based on the performance, rental, and special-event calendar.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel between campus buildings or off-campus locations as needed.

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

Standard office equipment and computers; ticketing and point-of-sale systems; radios and other event communication equipment; and basic guest-services and event equipment.