Wardrobe Manager

Nottingham Playhouse Trust Ltd; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free and discounted tickets for perfor

Free Playhouse Pass membership

Discounts on bars

Enhanced annual leave – 25 days +

Enhanced sick pay

Staff events

Discounted parking

Cycle to Work scheme

Training and professional development

Relaxed working environment

Pension scheme

Job summary

Nottingham Playhouse is seeking an experienced Wardrobe Manager to lead the Wardrobe Department for the 2027 UK & Ireland tour of James Graham's PUNCH. You will oversee all costume care and maintenance, manage the department's rota and staff, and coordinate touring venue moves to ensure smooth performances.

The role requires senior wardrobe experience in a producing theatre, strong sewing skills, and the ability to manage budgets and convey clear decisions under live production pressures.

Job description

Wardrobe Manager

Nottingham Playhouse is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Wardrobe Manager to lead the Wardrobe Department for the 2027 UK & Ireland tour of James Graham's PUNCH.

Joining us during the final week of rehearsals at Nottingham Playhouse, you will take responsibility for the safe, efficient and effective running of the Wardrobe Department throughout the production and its 11-week tour.

You will oversee all aspects of costume care and maintenance, ensuring costumes are properly prepared, laundered and ready for every performance. Working closely with performers, Stage Management, venue teams and the wider production company, you will help ensure the production runs smoothly and that wardrobe-related issues are resolved quickly and professionally.

You will also manage the department's rota, supervise the Wardrobe Assistant/Dresser and any casual wardrobe staff, oversee departmental spending and supplies, and lead the wardrobe team's preparations for touring venue moves.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced wardrobe professional to take a leading role in delivering a major touring production.

About you

You will have a proven track record in a senior costume or wardrobe role within a producing theatre or production of a similar scale, with experience of leading a wardrobe department on tour.

You will bring strong costume alteration and maintenance skills, including accomplished hand and machine sewing, alongside an extensive knowledge of current theatre practices. You will be confident managing people, delegating responsibilities, making decisions and responding calmly to the changing demands of a live production.

Highly organised and detail-oriented, you will be an effective communicator who can build positive working relationships with performers, Stage Management, venue staff and colleagues across the production. You will also have experience of informing budgets for touring productions and delivering within agreed financial limits.

The role requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends and other unsociable hours, particularly around performances and touring venue moves. You will be proactive, professional and committed to maintaining high standards of costume care, health and safety, and departmental organisation.

We recognise that candidates may not have every skill listed in the person specification. We are committed to developing and nurturing our employees and will provide appropriate support and training where needed.

About Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham Playhouse creates theatre that is bold, thrilling and proudly made in Nottingham. Named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2025, we are one of the country's leading producing theatres, presenting an ambitious programme of classics, new writing, family shows and innovative commissions.

We are passionate about creating theatre that reflects our city, tells diverse stories and provides life-changing experiences for our communities. We want our theatre to be a place where everyone feels they belong.

What we offer

• Free and discounted tickets for performances, including Press Nights.
• Free Playhouse Pass membership.
• Discounts on our bars offer.
• Enhanced annual leave, starting at 25 days per year and increasing with length of service, plus an additional day off for your birthday.
• Enhanced company sick pay.
• Staff social events, including summer and Christmas parties.
• Discounted parking at Mount Street and St James NCP.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• A relaxed working environment and informal dress code.
• Access to the Nottingham Playhouse contributory workplace pension scheme.

Terms and conditions

The salary is £800 per week, payable weekly by credit transfer. This is a 48-hour buyout inclusive of all hours worked, overtime, publicity calls and other incidental payments. Overtime in excess of an average of 48 hours per week over the engagement will be paid at the end of the contract.

The fixed‑term contract commences on Monday 18 January 2027 and runs until April 2027. Performances take place six days per week at Nottingham Playhouse and five days per week on tour. Evening and weekend work will be required.

The role includes a four‑week probation period and one week's notice. Holiday entitlement is 5.6 weeks per annum, pro rata, with payment in lieu of unused holiday at the end of the contract. A contributory workplace pension is provided through NOW, with a 5% employee contribution and a 4% employer contribution.

Due to the nature of the contract, flexible working requests cannot be considered.

Diversity, inclusion and access

Nottingham Playhouse is committed to equality of opportunity and building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from the Global Ethnic Majority and disabled people.

Applicants who declare as being from the Global Ethnic Majority and/or as disabled will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the minimum criteria on the person specification. We are a Disability Confident employer and welcome conversations about reasonable adjustments to make the recruitment process accessible.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme