Mens Workroom Technician (Tailor) Fixed-Term Contract

Royal Academy Of Dance; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading arts organization in the UK is seeking a Men’s Workroom Technician for a fixed-term contract. The ideal candidate will have a background in craft skills workrooms and possess practical making, tailoring experience, and knowledge of costume fitting techniques. The role requires collaboration and strong communication skills. Join us to contribute to the world of opera and ballet with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in craft skills workrooms with a major production theatre or film/TV.
• Able to maintain an excellent working knowledge of construction and alteration techniques.
• Knowledge of costume history is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Work to high standards of workshop construction.
• Assist at rehearsals, performances, and fittings.
• Maintain knowledge of techniques, materials, and finishes.

Skills

Craft skills workroom experience

Practical making and tailoring experience

Costume fitting and alteration techniques knowledge

Ability to interpret design concepts

Knowledge of traditional construction methods

Education

Theatrical Costume qualification

Job description

The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. 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 BalletandThe Royal Opera.

The Royal Opera House describes the place we work, not who we are. The whole is always more than the sum of its parts – we may be a House, but three quarters of our audiences experience what we do outside this building. While our Covent Garden theatre is the nerve centre, the impact and influence of the organisation can be felt in every corner of the country, and around the world.

The Royal Opera House Men’s Costume Workroom team produces costumes for the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera to the highest standards. We are seeking to recruit a Men’s Workroom Technician on a fixed-term contract, ending on 31st August 2027.

You will work to the high standards of workshop construction and alteration processes, maintaining an excellent working knowledge of the latest developments in techniques, materials, and finishes. You may also be required to assist at rehearsals, performances and fittings.

Our ideal candidate will be a team player with a collaborative approach to working and strong communication skills, who can evidence the following:

• Experience in craft skills workrooms with a major production theatre or venue, or comparable film/TV experience.
• Practical making and tailoring experience and a good knowledge of costume fitting and alteration techniques.
• A Theatrical Costume qualification or comparable workroom experience in a relevant craft skills area.
• Able to accurately interpret design concepts from scale drawings, sketches, plans and verbal instruction.
• A good knowledge of traditional methods of construction, tailoring and period styles. A knowledge of costume history an advantage.

To submit your application, please provide a supporting statement that outlines how your skills and experience match the essential criteria listed above. We recommend drafting your response in a separate document and then copying the final version into the application form.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK’s leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and skills to join our teams. 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.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, which means that we are actively working to ensure that candidates with disabilities and long-term health conditions feel supported, engaged and able to fulfil their potential in the workplace. We will endeavour to offer an interview to candidates who tell us they wish to participate in the scheme and who demonstrate in their application that they meet the essential criteria for the role, though sometimes due to the volume of qualified candidates with declarations this is not possible.

The RBO is also committed to safeguarding and protecting all children, young people, and adults and we implement robust safer recruitment practices. Due to our safeguarding promise, certain roles will be subject to a DBS check before commencing employment with us, which will be indicated in the advertising.

Click here for more information and to apply

Closing date for applications: Midnight, 27th November 2025

Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies.