Head of Opera Costume Department

Nationale Opera & Ballet; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 56,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

One-year contract

Salary and benefits package (€4,996–€6

Job summary

Dutch National Opera & Ballet is seeking a Head of Opera Costume Department in Amsterdam to lead the non-artistic side of the department’s operations. You will work closely with the Head of Costume Production to align on budgets, schedules and policies that support staff development, sustainability, and high-quality craftsmanship.

The role requires strong leadership, financial acumen and excellent communication, with English proficiency and willingness to learn Dutch if needed.

Qualifications

• Experienced leader with the ability to manage processes and support the professional development of skilled craftspeople in a creative environment.
• Strong business mindset with a people-centred approach to leadership and policy development.
• Excellent financial and organisational skills and the ability to maintain oversight in a dynamic opera production setting.
• Attentive listener and an excellent communicator, capable of bringing people together and guiding teams.
• Good command of English; willingness to learn Dutch if not already spoken.

Responsibilities

• Lead non-artistic operations of the Opera Costume Department and collaborate with the Head of Costume Production on artistic quality.
• Manage budgets and schedules, ensure deadlines are met, and implement organisational policies (sustainability, professional development, craftsmanship, HR).
• Participate in management meetings to understand strategic direction and translate insights into development goals for the department and staff.
• Provide direct and indirect leadership to department employees, fostering a positive, supportive environment and ensuring the team has appropriate capacity and skills.
• Report to the Director of Technical Operations & Workshops.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Organisational skills

Communication

English proficiency

Willingness to learn Dutch

Job description

Contact

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As our current Head of Department will be retiring this summer, Dutch National Opera & Ballet is looking for a new:

Head of Opera Costume Department

Full-time (38 hours per week)

About us

Dutch National Opera & Ballet is one of the largest cultural organisations in the Netherlands, located in the heart of Amsterdam. With over 700 colleagues representing more than 30 nationalities, we work together every day to enrich the lives of as many people as possible through the wonder, beauty and meaning of opera and ballet. Every detail matters, which is why we value craftsmanship and expertise across every part of our organisation. Would you like to contribute your experience and enthusiasm to making this possible?

About the department

The Opera Costume Department consists of men's and women's tailoring workshops, a dyeing department, a footwear department, a workshop specialising in headwear and accessories, a wardrobe department, costume storage, a purchasing department and a costume production team.

The department employs approximately 45 people, with additional staff joining for larger productions. Every year, thousands of costumes, headpieces, shoes and accessories are created, altered and fitted. The department works closely with our Hair & Make-up Department and external costume workshops.

About the role

As Head of Department, you will be responsible for all non-artistic aspects of the department's operations. You will work closely with the Head of Costume Production, who, together with her team, oversees the artistic quality and results. Your focus will be on the operational, financial and organisational aspects of the department, as well as the wellbeing and development of its employees. Your responsibilities will include managing budgets and schedules, ensuring that agreements and deadlines are met, and implementing organisational policies in areas such as sustainability, professional development, craftsmanship and HR.

Through your participation in various management meetings, you will gain a thorough understanding of the strategic direction of Dutch National Opera & Ballet. You will also stay informed about relevant developments in the wider sector and translate these insights into clear development goals for the department and its employees.

You will provide direct and indirect leadership to the employees of the Opera Costume Department, ensuring effective communication, a positive and supportive working environment, and a team with the right capacity, skills and expertise to meet the department's needs.

You will report to the Director of Technical Operations & Workshops.

Who we are looking for

You are an experienced leader with a proven ability to manage processes and support the professional development of skilled craftspeople in a creative environment. Driven by your passion for the performing arts and the people who bring productions to life, you combine a strong business mindset with a people-centred approach to leadership and policy development. You have excellent financial and organisational skills and are able to maintain oversight and control, even in the dynamic and often demanding environment of opera production. You are an attentive listener and an excellent communicator, capable of bringing people together, inspiring and motivating teams, creating opportunities and managing expectations effectively. You have a good command of English. If you do not already speak Dutch, you are willing to learn the language.

To allow for a smooth handover, we would ideally like you to be available from May 2027.

What we offer

• An initial one-year contract, with the intention of extending it;
• A gross monthly salary ranging from €4,996 to €6,993, depending on your knowledge and experience (based on a full-time position of 38 hours per week);
• 8% holiday allowance and a good pension scheme;
• 30 days of annual leave and 5 additional days off (ATV);
• Attractive benefits for attending our opera and ballet performances;
• Opportunities for growth: we invest in your personal and professional development through education and training;
• A travel allowance, including a cycling allowance for commutes of less than 8 km, and a tax-efficient bicycle scheme;

Dutch National Opera & Ballet embraces diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone.

Contact

If you have any questions about the position, please feel free to contact Pieter Huijgen, Director of Technical Operations & Workshops, by email at [e-mail].

For questions about the application process, please contact our HR Department at [e-mail].