Position: Bar and Concessions Manager — Full-Time
Location: Cambridge, MA (American Repertory Theater / A.R.T.)
Salary: $69,500 – $113,700 (salary grade level 056)
Posted: Today

About Harvard Central Administration (CADM): A 5,000+ employee organization that supports the university’s overall excellence by serving the needs of its schools, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and surrounding communities. Through collaborative partnerships, CADM provides high-quality, efficient services to help schools achieve their goals.

Role Overview: Reporting to the Director of Event Sales and Rentals, the Bar and Concessions Manager will lead the food and beverage operation at the American Repertory Theater, supervising hourly staff and serving as a key contact point for patrons. Under Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Managing Director Anna Fitzloff, the A.R.T. is preparing a transformative move to the new state-of-the-art Goel Center for Creativity & Performance, whose bar and kitchen sit at the core of an expansive lobby area—providing an unprecedented opportunity to expand season and private event programming. The Manager will help create an open, welcoming, high-quality cafe offering for midday lunch, intermission, or private events.

Key Responsibilities:

Staff Management

• Hire and train staff in bar, kitchen, and event support roles
• Lead training and development, workflow and performance management, and promotion of an innovative work environment
• Foster a culture of community, trust, respect, professionalism, and accountability
• Assign and direct the work of hourly and temporary staff; address performance and recommend/deliver corrective actions as needed

Operations

• Assist with monitoring menu and inventory management systems, including cost control and loss prevention; complete weekly inventory audits; maintain appropriate inventory levels
• Ensure equipment, front-of-house, and back-of-house spaces are operational and clean
• Design and execute opening and closing procedures
• Partner with the Director of Event Sales and Rentals on food and beverage needs for private events (planning and execution)
• Work with Patron Services, Artistic, and Producing teams to plan concessions and bar services (intermission, pre-/post-show, limited to show schedules)
• Foster and maintain relationships with external vendors supporting theatrical and private events

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure high standards for quality assurance related to food, sanitation, equipment, facility maintenance, and safety
• Ensure compliance with University policies, procedures, and applicable legal rules and regulations
• Maintain TIPS training and food-related training for all bar and concessions staff
• Maintain liquor license and food sales licenses for the institution

Working Conditions: Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed. Subject to wet floors, temperature extremes, and excessive noise; standing and walking for significant amounts of time required. Position frequently involves long hours and widely diverse duties; must be able to lift approximately 20–30 pounds, bend, stoop, and perform other physical exertion, with regular walking and standing.

Basic Qualifications (minimum requirements):

• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant work experience
• Supervisory experience
• Budgeting and inventory management
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, intermediate Excel skills
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with a diverse constituency
• Operational experience with industrial kitchen equipment (dishwasher, oven, ventilation systems, etc.)
• Operational experience with food service applications and computerized menu management systems

Additional Details:

• Visa Sponsorship: Harvard University is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position
• Pre-Employment Screening: Identity (plus reference and background screenings)
• Orientation/Review: 3-month orientation and review period
• Interview Process: May include virtual interviews via Zoom and in-person interviews; selected finalists may be asked to participate in an in-person interview
• Work Location: All duties and responsibilities must be performed at a Harvard or Harvard-designated location; certain visa types may limit work location, and individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment

Benefits: Generous paid time off including parental leave; medical, dental, and vision coverage starting day one; retirement plans with university contributions; wellbeing and mental health resources; family/caregiver support; professional development including tuition assistance and reimbursement; commuter benefits, discounts, and campus perks.

Application Link: Apply through the Careers@Harvard portal (careers.harvard.edu).

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.