Description
The Front Office Receptionist serves as a vital ambassador for Bennett Day School, acting as the primary point of contact for families, visitors, and students. Bennett Day School is seeking team members who are deeply committed to a collaborative work environment and dedicated to providing a warm, high-level, and seamless customer service experience. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys working with children and families, and balances an exceptionally welcoming hospitality presence with precise administrative and front-facing support.
THE ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Hospitality & Greeting: Serve as the welcoming face and first point of contact at the front desk; greet parents, students, vendors, and guests with a high-level culture of customer service.
- Communication Management: Manage the school’s central phone line, answering inquiries, routing calls, and responding to general emails efficiently and professionally.
- Administrative & Scheduling Support: Assist with basic administrative tasks, including calendar management, coordinating visitor appointments, and tracking school or tour bookings.
- Parent & Client Relations: Proactively address parent/client needs, questions, and inquiries regarding school programming; cultivate positive relationships through professional calls and emails.
- Building & Arrival Logistics: Monitor building access to ensure a safe, organized, and welcoming environment; assist with peak arrival and dismissal flows as needed.
- Ad Hoc Projects: Execute data entry projects and provide general administrative support to the Operations team; other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or working towards a degree is preferred
- Experience: Prior experience in hospitality, front desk operations, or a customer-facing role. Experience working within an educational or childcare environment is a plus.
- Customer Service Orientation: Strong interpersonal skills, a warm disposition, and a passion for creating positive, joyful experiences for families.
- Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; comfortable handling multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously.
- Technical Proficiency: Comfortable using basic office technology, scheduling tools, and software (such as Google Workspace/Gmail).
- Poise & Problem Solving: Calm under pressure, solutions-focused, and adept at troubleshooting issues professionally.
- Cultural Competence: Commitment to the continual development of one’s cultural competence.
- Physical Requirements: Ability to oversee front area safety and independently lift light equipment or office materials (15–20 lbs) as needed.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or currently pursuing a degree
- Prior experience in hospitality, front desk operations, or a customer-facing role
- Strong interpersonal skills and a warm, customer-service-oriented disposition
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously
- Comfort with basic office technology, scheduling tools, and software such as Google Workspace and Gmail
- Calm, solutions-focused approach and professional problem-solving skills
- Commitment to developing cultural competence
- Ability to oversee front-area safety and lift 15–20 pounds independently
- Experience in an educational or childcare environment
What We Do
Bennett Day School is an independent, progressive PreK–12 private school located in Chicago's West Town neighborhood. Founded in 2014 to create a future-focused educational program and a unique school community, it prepares students for a world reshaped by AI and constant change. The school emphasizes cultivating human advantages such as curiosity and critical thinking to ensure students are equipped for the future.
