Assistant Clinical Faculty and Costume Shop Supervisor

Alfred University; Village of Alfred (NY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Costume Shop Manager to lead the costume construction efforts within its Performing Arts Division. This role involves teaching costume construction, supervising students, and managing the costume shop's operations. Ideal candidates will have a BA/BFA in a costume-related field and at least three years of practical experience. You will be responsible for maintaining equipment, overseeing costume production, and ensuring a safe and professional work environment. Join a vibrant community committed to mentorship and inclusion, and make your mark in the world of performing arts education.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of practical experience in costume construction or related field.
• Experience teaching costume construction at the college level.

Responsibilities

• Teach costume construction and supervise students in the costume shop.
• Manage costume production and maintain inventory and equipment.

Skills

Costume construction

Draping

Pattern making

Costume crafts

Tailoring

Hair/wigs

Makeup

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

BA/BFA in costume-related field

MFA in Costume Design

Tools

Sewing machine

Serger

Job description

The Alfred University Performing Arts Division’s Performance Design and Technology Department seeks a Costume Shop Manager to begin fall of 2025. This position will teach costume construction and related topics, supervise, and execute the creation and construction of costumes and costume craft items, maintain costume shop equipment, facilities, and inventory, as well as supervise practicum students and student workers. This position also models safe and professional work practices, supervises costumes through the full production process, manages the budget and purchasing, creates paperwork, and works in the costume shop constructing costumes.

Salary: $51,500-$53,000 - 10-Months

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Teaching & Mentoring
   Teaches three courses annually. Serve as a model of professionalism and act as a resource for students within the teaching-learning environment. Instruct students in the technical aspects of costume construction and the proper and safe use of associated machinery. Supervise students constructing costumes and correcting deficiencies; Develop, implement, and review effective teaching/learning processes, incorporating appropriate methodology, technology, and other tools; Remain current in discipline and update course content when appropriate to reflect current levels of student knowledge in the discipline. Oversee costuming requirements and related student staffing throughout production including technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, wardrobe crews, and strike.
2. Shop Management
   Maintain an inventory of supplies and materials required for daily operations and ordering replacement items as necessary. Maintain shop equipment and work to improve shop technical capabilities. Maintenance of the costume stock by organizing and managing costume inventory. Supervise loans or rentals to on and off-campus groups. Hire and schedule student workers and provide necessary training.
3. Costume Production
   Facilitate the production of costumes for divisional productions by working with student, faculty, or guest designer. Interpret costume design package, typically including renderings, sketches, swatches, and verbal instructions to plan and execute costume construction. Perform or supervise others in the costume production process including draping, patterning, sewing, assembling, altering and/or fitting, as well as construction of other costume craft items. Maintain costume appearance through performance run including laundry.
4. Model the university mission to support and advance student growth through the university's commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and intersections.
5. Contributes to the overall success of the Division by performing other essential duties (service, recruitment, and committee work) and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• A BA/BFA in costume-related field or professional equivalence
• At least three (3) years practical work experience in costume construction or related field
• Basic stitching by hand, machine, and serger.
• Proficiency in one or more: draping, pattern making, costume crafts, tailoring, hair/wigs, makeup
• At least one semester experience teaching costume construction or similar at the college level
• Strong oral and written communications skills, as well as interpersonal skills appropriate for a professional and academic environment.
• The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, time management, workflow, meeting deadlines and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrate collaborative, problem-solving personality with organizational skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in Costume Design
• Costume Shop management experience in a professional and/or academic environment, including ability to create necessary paperwork.
• Experience working and/or teaching in a performing arts educational environment.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit a completed application for consideration. Review of applications will begin March 30, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Application Process:

Please submit as a single PDF (not to exceed 10 MB) with a letter of application, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references, and either a sample portfolio or a link to your professional website.
Priority review of application materials will begin March 30, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Alfred University
Located in rural Western NY, Alfred University is the second oldest co-educational college in the United States and one of the earliest to have enrolled African American and Native American students. The Division of Performing Arts includes four departments: Theater, Music, Dance, and Performance Design and Technology housed in excellent facilities. Theater and music offer BA degrees and all departments offer minors. For more information:
https://www.alfred.edu/academics/colleges-schools/performing-arts/
The Division of Performing Arts is part of Alfred University, an accredited member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.