Head of Department, Wardrobe – ALIZÉ

Head of Department, Wardrobe – ALIZÉ – Resident Shows Division

Full-Time Position

We are looking for a Head of Department (“HOD”), Wardrobe to lead our Wardrobe team. In collaboration with the Show Technical Director and Costume Shop, this position will lead the wardrobe team to construct, maintain, and run the production costumes in a safe and consistent manner.

The Wardrobe HOD will have the opportunity to:

1. Oversee all departmental task lists and crew scheduling of day and show crews, rehearsals, trainings and show calls with the guidance of the Show Technical Director and Costume Shop;
2. Conduct staff performance reviews and assist with hiring of new employees;
3. Support staff by establishing and training show tracks, staffing and run of show procedures;
4. Work with Technical Director on establishing and maintaining show budgets; manage records, including storage and inventories;
5. Manage the inventory and the order and procurement of supplies for maintenance and upkeep;
6. Establish systems of inspection and maintenance of costumes, shoes and accessories;
7. Work with the Technical Director and Costume Shop to develop systems and procedures for maintenance of information and technical specifications on all costumes and accessories;
8. Lead staff to conduct costume fittings, manage items in Costume Database, transfer costume notes to Costume Shop Team, check in and follow-up of new costumes into inventory system;
9. Coordinate, determine and oversee support for special projects, including the research, purchasing, construction and installations of new show elements, and other projects that include Wardrobe elements or other needs that may fall within the department’s specialty, as directed; Maintain flexible schedule for such projects;
10. Participate in media events;
11. Other tasks include, but are not limited to: regular staff meetings; washing, checking dry cleaning, repair and maintenance of costume/craft items;
12. Ensure all departmental-related documentation is completed accurately and in a timely manner. Set the strategy and standards for proper documentation and train team on best practices;
13. Adhere to and actively promote all applicable German occupational safety and health regulations, including DGUV standards, the Arbeitsschutzgesetz (ArbSchG), and industry-specific guidelines, to ensure the safe operation of all technical and performance-related elements of the production; participate in all required health and safety classes and emergency rescue procedure training;
14. Contribute to a safe and positive working environment at all times by adhering to and following all Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group standards, values, policies and regulations pertaining to safety using equipment and established working methods;
15. Assist other departments when necessary for cross-departmental support;
16. Complete all other job-related duties as assigned.

What does it take for this role? The following hard skills are the basics of what’s needed to be successful in this position:

1. At least five years of previous experience as a professional Costume Technician with experience in costume repair, shoe repair, makeup and millinery on large-scale stage productions;
2. Previous leadership experience leading projects and crew;
3. Working knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel and Outlook). Knowledge of SAP and Photoshop is an asset;
4. In-depth experience in theatrical costumes for large-scale production;
5. Availability to work varied shifts, including weekends and holidays;
6. Ability to perform the essential functions of the job including, but not limited to: crouching, kneeling, standing, lifting, sometimes for extended amounts of time; lifting at least 50lbs unassisted, etc.; Full list of essential functions will be sent in the offer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions;
7. Fluent in English & German, both written and spoken; with an international cast the operational language will be English;
8. Verification of the right to work in Germany for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

As you can imagine, working with a circus can be quite different from other organizations, and at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, we embrace these differences loudly with enthusiasm.

Our emotion-provoking shows are just the tip of the iceberg: laced throughout our organization, you will find creative minds who are empowered to use their voices and be themselves, their truest selves.

When you think of your ideal workplace, what comes to mind? For us, it looks (and really is) like this:

1. Teamwork – we thrive with collaborative teams, regardless of titles or departments;
2. Respect – when we ask someone to join our team, it’s because we trust and respect you;
3. Integrity – whether you work behind-the-scenes or in the office, you’re being counted on. We are a team and integrity go a long way here, and like we mentioned previously, trust is important;
4. Authenticity – we want you to bring your full self to work, this is a place where you don’t need to fit into a box to belong; diverse perspectives foster even more creativity in the workplace.
5. Being heard – you have access to everyone in the organization, use your voice on development questions or suggestions on how to improve the experience. We value open and transparent communication and we want you to be heard!

Come create with us and let us show you what a “circus family” feels like!

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, national origin or ancestry.