Permanent
Based in Covent Garden, London
Full time; 42.5 hours per week
£54,100.80 per annum
The Royal Opera House aims to enrich people`s lives through opera and ballet. It seeks to be accessible and engaging, to develop audiences across the UK and to break new ground in the presentation of lyric theatre. Our Technical, Production and Costume Department plays a leading part in ensuring our performances are of the highest quality by delivering technical excellence for every performance, rehearsal, and event.
The Royal Opera House Costume Performance team seeks to provide a professional, high-level duty of care for the repertoire of the ROH performing companies across Opera and Ballet, in both rehearsal and performance. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a large team at a busy time, with a full schedule of Ballet and Opera ahead.
What are we looking for?
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic manager who can bring a positive style of leadership, with a hands-on, inclusive and participatory approach, who will role model exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and build strong, effective working relationships across the organisation.
This role will suit a candidate who is passionate about leadership, can evidence working at the top of their field and who can foster a culture of continuous excellence in costume provision. You will have strong relationship management skills and the ability to work in tandem with the Costume Production team to ensure there is a bridge and clear open communications between the ROH Production and Running teams. Furthermore, you will be an organiser who is experienced in the recruitment, scheduling, development and retention of highly trained staff.
Our requirements for your application are:
- Appropriate professional qualification and/or substantial demonstrable experience in costume provision for a large theatre company.
- Extensive knowledge of the latest techniques, materials and products used for costume making and maintenance.
- Exceptional trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills.
- Substantial experience in managing a large Costume Performance team and an ability to advise on the most effective execution of complexities such as quick changes and costume effects.
- Strong interpersonal skills and excellent customer care.
- Experience with effective scheduling, resource planning and budgeting for a busy department.
The Royal Opera House is a unique and exciting place to work. As such, we have a unique and exciting Costume Performance Team structure and terminology to match. To add familiar context for any wider theatre colleagues wishing to join us and to help place your skills in the appropriate role, this role may be known asHead of Wardrobe or (Senior) Wardrobe Manager/Master/Mistress in other organisations.
Please note, although previous experience with Opera/Ballet will be highly regarded, it is not essential. We welcome applications from qualified candidates with a broader theatre background and would like to hear what you can bring to our organisation.
If you can see yourself as a member of the Costume Performance team, head to the application form and tell us more.
The Royal Opera House is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive. We particularly welcome applications from those who are from a global majority background and/or those who are disabled, as they are under-represented within our organisation. As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential minimum criteria for our vacancies.
Please download the Senior Costume Performance Job Pack to find out more about the role, department, our values and our culture.
If you have any questions, would like to have a confidential conversation, or have access requirements for your application, please contact the ROH Recruitment Team on [email protected]
Closing date for applications: 8am, Friday 12th May 2023.
Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies.
