Assistant Director for Costume and Wigs

Royal Opera House; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent Contract

Competitive Salary

Full-time 42.5 hours/week; ROH Covent 

Job summary

The Royal Opera House seeks an Assistant Director for Costume and Wigs, to join the senior management team and lead the Costume Department across ROH locations. You will influence strategy, manage a large workforce, and ensure high-quality costume, wig and make-up production aligned with artistic aims.

Based at Covent Garden with travel to Thurrock and Aberdare as required, you will foster an inclusive environment, lead multiple teams, and report to the Director of Technical, Production and

Qualifications

• Proven track record in a senior management role at a major producing venue.
• Strategic operating experience at a high level influencing the senior team vision.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Costume Department and manage over 300 staff and freelancers.
• Own budgets, strategy and reporting for costume, wigs and make-up.
• Collaborate with creatives and cross-functional teams to realise design ambitions.
• Travel to ROH sites and oversee operations across locations.

Skills

Senior management

Costume production

Leadership

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

This is a strategic role, working across a large department and having overall responsibility for the management and delivery of all costume, wigs & make-up functions in all RBO locations.
To be successful in this role, you will need to have a track record in a major producing venue or organisation, operating at a senior management level and being able to speak to how you influence and lead a varied workforce. A demonstrable understanding of the costume production process is key - alongside a strong working knowledge of the operations of a large costume department. Our ideal candidate will thrive in a complex and multi-faceted environment - offering both the leadership skills required to inspire and develop a department alongside the project, resource and budget management experience that will ensure robust and effective operational management and reporting. A positive, proactive leadership style and the drive to foster an inclusive work environment is essential. Proven experience of managing a large scale, complex operation and being able to effectively advocate cross functionally for the work of your department is key to this appointment.

• A proven track record in a relevant senior management role with a major producing venue or organisation
• Experience in operating strategically at a high level, contributing to the ambitions and vision of a senior team
• Excellent understanding of the costume production process and the work and operations of all aspects of a large costume department
• An understanding of artistic aims and objectives and the needs of creative teams in a producing venue environment
• Highly developed costume technical skills and able to support staff in interpreting and realising design requirements
• Proven experience of managing a large-scale, complex operation and of leading multiple teams
• The ability to work effectively and build good relations with artistic teams.
  The Royal Ballet and Opera, situated in our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world-class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

Our Technical, Production and Costume Department plays a leading role in ensuring our performances are of the highest quality by delivering excellence for every performance, rehearsal and event. We are now seeking to appoint an Assistant Director for Costume and Wigs to join our senior management team, working with the Director of Technical, Production and Costume, Deputy Director (Production and Planning) and Assistant Director (Technical) to collectively lead, motivate and develop over 300 permanent staff, along with a pool of skilled casuals and freelancers. As the head of the Costume Department, you will have ultimate accountability for budgets, future strategy, relationships with creatives and the successful operation of the department and development of its staff.

permanent

• Permanent Contract
• Competitive Salary
• Full time (42.5 hours per week) based at ROH Covent Garden but with travel to our other sites in Thurrock and Aberdare as required., Permanent Contract
• Competitive Salary
• Full time (42.5 hours per week) based at ROH Covent Garden but with travel to our other sites in Thurrock and Aberdare as required.