Lead, Entertainment

Position Title:         Team Specialist -Lead

Department:           Entertainment

Classification:         Part Time/Non-Exempt

Direct Report:         Manager, Entertainment      

Position Summary

Under the Direction of the Manager of Entertainment, the Team Specialist-Lead will function as a Supervisor and assist with the coordination of the staff in the efficient operation of all daily Entertainment programming across the Aquarium, including Georgia Aquarium’s Mascot Program, Entertainment Activations, Scripted Facilitations, Atmosphere Character Performances, and all other programs. This may also include the planning and supervision of the set-up and operation for all technical/production elements and providing for all other logistics as required by the various programs.

In addition, the Team Specialist-Lead will oversee Entertainment operations as they relate to Special Events and revenue-generating programs, such as Sounds of the Sea. This will include collaboration with Aquarium Partners and External Clients, supervising third-party Vendors, and coordinating with/hosting visiting Performance Groups. They will also act as an Entertainment liaison to the other departments/management teams throughout the Aquarium as required.

In addition to these duties, The Team Specialist-Lead will be responsible for assisting with the training of Entertainment staff, as directed. The Lead will act as a Show/Dance Captain, monitoring performances to ensure standards for quality and consistency are being met across the full complement of programming components.

The Lead will ensure the proper operation of all Entertainment programming and the adherence to all established schedules. They will ensure all staff maintain the artistic direction for all programming as set by the creative team and that they comply with all standards, policies, and procedures required to maintain a safe and engaging Guest Experience.

In addition to the leadership responsibilities, the Team Specialist-Lead may also appear as a Featured/ Character Performer or Character Handler to support the schedule, as required.

Responsibilities:

1. 1. Oversee daily operations ensuring adequate staffing and preparations, and that all performances are presented on schedule and are held to established standards for quality, efficiency, and safety.
   2. Serve as liaison and provide daily coordination of Aquarium Vendors and/or external Performance Contractors to ensure a smooth pre-production process and successful on-site operation.
   3. Assist in preparations for Special Event Activations and seasonal offerings such as Haunted Seas, and other Production/Entertainment facilitations as needed, which may include creative conceptualization, vendor coordination, maintaining and ordering supplies, coordinating volunteer needs, testing technical elements prior to the event, helping to create/maintain event SOPs, training staff on daily event operations, and other duties as required.
   4. Supervise special event activations and seasonal offerings such as Haunted Seas, and other Production/Entertainment facilitations as needed, which may include appearing as an atmosphere character, featured character, or leading the operation of the event as a Production Supervisor.
   5. Assist in the creation of daily schedules for staffing and rotating programming.
   6. Assist management in other administrative /record keeping tasks as needed.
   7. Assist management with the creation and maintaining of staff operation and training
   8. Manage the basic care, handling, storage, upkeep and maintenance and daily operation of props, set pieces, and costumes, including dressing room spaces, as directed, and coordinating with outside departments and vendors as necessary to manage repairs or replacements, and maintain appropriate inventory as required.
   9. Coordinate gathering initial size charts and scheduling required costume fittings with Wardrobe Dept. for all staff as needed.
   10. Lead scheduled rehearsals and creative development
   11. Help develop innovative ways to involve the guests directly in the entertainment
   12. Comply with and communicate to team members established schedules for all facilitations and perform daily duties as directed.
   13. Help to establish and lead partnerships and collaborations with other artistic organizations which are mutually beneficial, and which raise the quality of our entertainment experience for the guests.
   14. All performers will be required to work as a mascot in a Character
   15. Able to stand, walk, jump, run, and move around in the mascot costume for extended periods of time up to 45 minutes for as many as 6 sets a day. Must have the stamina to perform physically demanding activities such as dancing, waving, bending, and engaging in active crowd participation.
   16. Occasional appearances may require work occurring at an off-site location, supervision of fellow team members, coordination of event logistics, and execution of off-site performances.
   17. Maintain/Supervise a clean, safe, and working office
   18. Must be able to follow through with operations and coordination with limited supervision and supervise Entertainment Team members during daily operations/special events/work calls/rehearsals.
   19. Data entry, filing, and administrative duties as
   20. Provide accurate and thorough information to guests about the
   21. Collaborate with designers and staff to execute vision of entertainment facilitations as directed.
   22. Assist with Production Presentations in both the Sea Lion and Dolphin venues as
   23. Perform other duties as workload

 Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent theater, music or film experience required.
2. Previous 3 years of theatre, film, or music/live entertainment performance
3. Experience in theater settings (i.e., auditoriums, arenas, ), Renaissance Faires, Festivals, Theme Parks, or Cruise Ships preferred.
4. Previous experience with live entertainment or special event production is preferred.
5. Previous 1 year of customer service experience in a fast paced, high-volume setting preferred.
6. Theatrical improvisation, juggling, ability to play a musical instrument, tumbling, clowning, singing, mascot experience, mime, dance, direction/choreography, or up-close magic experience preferred.
7. Effective leadership
8. Effective problem analysis and resolution
9. Superior verbal and written communication skills
10. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
11. Ability to be flexible and shift priorities to meet departmental

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or The employee must have good hand/eye coordination and balance.
• The employee must be able to lift 25 pounds over head and lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Mascot costumes can weigh between 15-30 pounds or more and the mascot head is often large and can be heavy. The performer must be able to bear this weight, particularly in the head, neck, shoulders, and back, for long periods.
• Mascot costumes are close fitting with many layers. This will cause the temperature in the costume to be warmer than the performance environment.  It also can limit visibility, hearing, and movement.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the
• The noise level in the work environment is usually

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision:  To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion