POSITION TITLE: House Manager
SUPERVISOR: Manager, Conference Services
TERM: August 2026 – April 2027
REMUNERATION: $19.00/hour
ESTIMATED START DATE: August 17, 2026
HOURS OF WORK:
- This is a casual, part-time position with hours scheduled based on operational and event needs.
- House Managers may work between 0 and 25 hours per week.
- Shifts may be scheduled during the day, evenings, and weekends.
- Greater availability will generally result in more scheduling opportunities, while limited availability may result in fewer shifts.
About the Dalhousie Student Union
The Dalhousie Student Union (DSU) is the official representative body for more than 20,000 Dalhousie students, providing advocacy, services, programming, and support for over 250 student societies to enhance student life and build community on campus.
Position Overview
The House Manager is a customer-service-focused role that serves as the primary point of contact for visitors, event organizers, students, conference delegates, and community members using the Student Union Building (SUB).
The Student Union Building hosts over 12,700 square feet of event and meeting space and welcomes a wide range of users including students, Dalhousie departments, conferences, summer camps, cultural groups, community organizations, and external clients.
Working a combination of daytime, evening, and weekend shifts, House Managers oversee front desk operations, support events, assist clients and guests, coordinate room readiness, and help ensure the smooth daily operation of the facility.
Key Responsibilities
Client & Guest Relations
- Act as the primary point of contact for clients, guests, conference delegates, students, and visitors.
- Greet guests and provide exceptional customer service.
- Respond to inquiries and provide information about DSU services, programs, and building operations.
- Handle client requests and assist in resolving concerns or complaints professionally and efficiently.
- Answer incoming telephone calls.
Event Support & Coordination
- Serve as the on-site representative for events taking place within the Student Union Building.
- Conduct pre-event inspections to ensure rooms are prepared according to event contracts and setup requirements.
- Verify that rooms are unlocked, clean, presentable, and ready for use.
- Ensure room temperatures, furniture layouts, and event setups meet client expectations.
- Perform final event readiness checks, including technology, furniture placement, and signage.
- Assist with room setup and teardown when required.
- Provide support to event organizers throughout their event and communicate any issues to the Manager, Conference Services.
Audio Visual Support
- Set up and troubleshoot in-house audio visual equipment.
- Assist clients with projectors, presentation screens, microphones, sound systems, and basic presentation technology.
- Escalate technical issues when necessary while maintaining a high level of client support.
Administrative Duties
- Sort and distribute mail to student societies and SUB tenants.
- Assist with filing, data entry, record keeping, and document management.
- Complete reports, logs, and other administrative tasks assigned.
- Support general office and reception operations.
Additional Duties
- Carry the assigned House Manager cell phone while on shift and remain reachable for operational and event-related communications.
- Respond promptly to calls, text messages, and other communications related to building operations, events, and client support.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager, Conference Services.
- Assist with special projects, events, and operational initiatives as required.
- Support other Student Union Building staff and departments when appropriate.
- Contribute to maintaining a positive, welcoming, and professional environment for all building users.
Required Qualifications
- Must be a Dalhousie University student who is not graduating before April 2027.
- Previous customer service experience.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow event specifications and room setup requirements.
- Ability to effectively communicate with clients, guests, students, staff, and external partners.
- Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends.
Assets
The following qualifications are considered strong assets:
- Front desk, hospitality, or hotel experience.
- Banquet, conference, or event experience.
- Audio visual experience, including projectors, screens, microphones, sound systems, and presentation technology.
- Experience working with diverse groups and providing exceptional customer service.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, carry, and move equipment, tables, chairs, and event materials weighing up to 40 lbs.
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts and events.
- Ability to assist with room setups and teardowns, including moving furniture and event equipment.
- Ability to navigate multiple floors of the Student Union Building and respond to event-related needs throughout the facility.
Application Information
Application Deadline: July 2, 2026
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Dalhousie Student Union welcomes the contributions that individuals from traditionally marginalized communities, as outlined under the prohibited grounds for discrimination in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, bring to our organization. These include racialized people, Indigenous people, women, lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer people, and people with disabilities. We encourage applicants to self-identify in their application if they are members of a marginalized community.
