Location: Kottivakkam, Chennai.
Working Days: Monday to Saturday
Working Hours: 10 am to 7 pm
Festivals From India is hiring on behalf of their client, Chennai Photo Biennale, who are looking for a Front Office & Customer Experience Executive. The ideal candidate will be the first point of contact for everyone interacting with the space — whether in person, over the phone, or online. You play a central role in ensuring that the space runs smoothly, customers are responded to promptly, and operations are handled efficiently.
This is a hands-on role that requires strong organisational skills, reliability, and a consistent, detail-oriented approach. The work is varied and often fast-paced, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities calmly and reliably is essential.
About Chennai Photo Biennale:
Chennai Photo Biennale (CPB) is a non-profit arts organisation dedicated to fostering photography, visual culture, and public engagement with contemporary art in India. Established in 2015, CPB creates platforms for artists, photographers, curators, and cultural practitioners through exhibitions, festivals, educational programmes, workshops, publications, and community initiatives. Its flagship event, the Chennai Photo Biennale, is an international photography festival that brings together diverse voices and artistic practices from India and worldwide. Through its various programmes, including CPB Foundation and CPB Darkroom, the organisation aims to nurture creative talent, encourage critical dialogue, and make visual arts more accessible to wider audiences.
Please note:
- The vetting process for this role comprises 2-3 rounds of interviews and may be followed by a brief assignment.
- Festivals From India is hiring for this role on behalf of our client.
- This is an on-site, full-time position based in Chennai.
Essential Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Hospitality, Commerce, Arts, or a related field (preferred).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail).
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both Tamil and English.
- Basic understanding of office administration, bookkeeping, and customer service practices.
Essential Experience:
- 1–3 years of experience in a front office, administrative, hospitality, retail, studio operations, or customer service role.
- Knowledge of photography and analogue is a plus.
- Experience managing customer interactions across multiple communication channels (phone, email, WhatsApp, and in-person).
- Experience coordinating vendors, deliveries, procurement, and office operations.
- Familiarity with handling petty cash, maintaining records, and supporting routine administrative tasks.
- Experience assisting with events, workshops, or hospitality operations is an advantage.
Key Personal Attributes & Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills with a welcoming and professional approach.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail.
- Punctual, dependable, and takes ownership of responsibilities.
- Proactive and able to anticipate operational needs.
- Calm and composed while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Solution-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing operational requirements.
- Team player with a collaborative attitude while also capable of working independently.
- Trustworthy and able to handle confidential information and financial responsibilities with integrity.
Key Roles/Responsibilities:
Customer Experience & Communication
- Manage all incoming communication across WhatsApp, email, and phone lines
- Handle walk-in customers: film drop-offs, pickups, camera and merchandise sales, and general inquiries
- Maintain clear, polite, and responsive communication across all channels
- Support basic marketing communication through customer interactions and in-store awareness.
Front Office & Daily Operations
- Open the space at 9.30 am and close at 7 pm daily
- Supervise housekeeping staff and ensure cleanliness throughout the day
- Reset spaces at the end of each day for the next day’s operations
- Ensure darkroom cleanliness and readiness
- Conduct basic safety checks (fire safety, health kits, etc.)
Administration & Office Management
- Manage petty cash and support basic bookkeeping
- Track bills, receipts, and routine expenses
- Coordinate office procurement (consumables, cleaning supplies, gloves, food supplies, water, etc.)
- Handle Amazon and other vendor purchases
- Coordinate maintenance vendors (AC, electrical, water supply, etc.)
- Support basic banking tasks (cheque deposits, cash withdrawals)
- Coordinate team hospitality (tea/snacks, workshop days, etc.)
Logistics & Deliveries
- Manage courier pickups and deliveries daily
- Track shipments and follow up with logistics partners (Bluedart, Delhivery, DHL, etc.)
- Coordinate local logistics (Porter bookings, dispatch support)
Residency & Community Support
- Manage residency room bookings, check-ins, check-outs, and billing
- Ensure rooms are prepared and cleaned before arrivals
- Maintain stock and hospitality standards for residents
- Support workshops and events with setup, coordination, and logistics
- Assist in managing Lighthouse bookings for external events
- Coordinate vendors for events (catering, cleaning, additional staff)
Pay: ₹25,000.00 - ₹30,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
