Senior Public Service & Hospitality Associate

We have two theater halls (the Main Hall and the Blue Hall), a café (Mevr. Dudok), and a theater restaurant (Zindering). We welcome more than 200,000 visitors each year. We work closely with the Dutch performing arts community, and with Utrecht-based companies, festivals, and institutions in particular. We also support local Utrecht artists and are strongly committed to education and talent development. We believe it is important that everyone feels welcome. Sustainability, equality, reciprocity, and complementarity are central to this. 

What will you be doing?

Together with your immediate colleagues, you will be responsible for the performance of approximately 70 employees. In collaboration with two other Senior Staff Members, the Food and Beverage Coordinator, and the Head of Food and Beverage, you will set the direction for the department. In addition, you will carry out assignments for the department and various project groups that align with your knowledge and interests. 

As a Senior Customer Service & Food and Beverage Associate, you’ll serve as the backbone of our food and beverage team during performances and events, working an average of two to three evenings a week. Your workday often begins in the late afternoon. With a team of 8 to 14 colleagues, you ensure a warm welcome for our theatergoers and flawless service. You maintain an overview, keep the team’s energy high, resolve last-minute challenges, and coordinate smoothly with colleagues from technical services, programming, performing companies, and other departments. You also lead the emergency response team when necessary.  

In addition, outside of evening hours, you’ll work to improve our service: you’ll coach staff during annual reviews, help shape the program for special events, and—based on visitor feedback, mystery visits, and your own experience—contribute to a future-proof and inclusive theater. Finally, you’ll advise programmers, producers, and schedulers on preparations for new events. In short: you’re a unifying leader with a keen eye for quality and hospitality. 

Who are you?

• Hospitality is in your blood: you have an eye for detail and know how to give guests a great evening. 
• You are a natural leader and motivate your team with energy and enthusiasm. 
• You think in terms of solutions, adapt quickly, and remain calm and friendly under pressure. 
• You are creative and enjoy translating the theater’s strategic plan into concrete actions for your department in an original way. 
• You know what it takes to ensure an event runs smoothly. Experience in the hospitality industry is preferred. 
• Flexibility comes naturally to you: you’re happy to work an average of three (weekend) evenings a week. 
• You have an SVH diploma (Social Hygiene) and a first aid certificate, or you are willing to obtain them. 

What do we offer you?

We offer you a versatile and varied role in an inspiring workplace, right in the heart of Utrecht, where you’ll work alongside a close-knit team of 75 colleagues.  In every department, we strive for diversity and give you plenty of room to be yourself. Experimenting, learning, and growing—you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do all of that with us. In this way, you’ll actively contribute to an inclusive performing arts world. Given the composition of our team, we prefer someone who identifies as a woman or x.  

You’ll start with a one-year contract for 24 to 28 hours per week (to be determined), with the serious intention of continuing our collaboration if we get along well. Our terms of employment comply with the Dutch Performing Arts Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Nederlandse Podia) 2025–2026, under which your salary is determined based on your experience and skills and falls within pay scale 6 (€2,844.10 – €3,950.74 for 36 hours). You’ll have 25 vacation days per year, and we’ll add public holiday hours to your leave balance. This way, you can choose which public holidays you’d like to take off.  

To make sure you feel confident in your role, we provide a comprehensive onboarding program. You’ll be trained by your immediate colleagues, and you’ll never be on your own.  

In addition, we offer attractive employee benefits, such as the opportunity to attend performances at an employee rate, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development, and you’ll enjoy free meals during your shift. 

You’ll also receive a unique cultural gift: free admission to performances. Cabaret, theater, dance, music—the choice is yours. You can often even bring friends along. 

Does this job posting spark your interest?

We invite you to apply by April 29 via the job posting on our website; please see this link. We believe that talent develops in many ways. That is why we use a questionnaire instead of a standard cover letter. This form helps us better understand your ideas and motivation. You will receive a response by phone or email within 7 days of the job posting’s closing date. Interviews are scheduled for week 19, with a second round in week 20. Finally, there will be a discussion regarding the terms of employment. 

Not sure if you meet all the requirements? We encourage you to apply anyway, even if you don’t meet every single requirement.  

If you would like to learn more about this position, please contact Pim Kouwenberg, Hospitality Coordinator, atp.kouwenberg@ssbu.nl.  

We value diversity  

The power of theater brings people together. We place great value on diversity at all levels of the organization, and all colleagues are equal members of the theater team. We welcome everyone; we’re curious about your talent and how you can make a difference for our organization. We’re looking for new colleagues who want to contribute to an inclusive Stadsschouwburg Utrecht. You’re welcome here!  

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.