Assistant Costume Shop Manager

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Rosemont (PA); On-site; USD 30,307 - 38,572; Full time

Job summary

Villanova University is seeking an Assistant Costume Shop Manager to oversee daily costume shop operations, including construction, fittings, storage, and training of student workers.

You will supervise build processes, coordinate fittings for Villanova Student Theatre groups, and manage stock and outside rentals. Prior costume shop experience is required, with emphasis on organization and budgeting.”

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree, theatre design or fashion preferred.
• 2–3 years in costume construction, shop management, or as a shop technician.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Costume Build Process for Villanova Theatre productions, creating patterns and using student workers.
• Supervise fittings for student groups, manage scheduling, and train workers.
• Organize costume stock, manage rentals and donations, and assist with budgeting.
• Attend events and design runs, coordinating with the Costume Shop Manager and Production Manager.
• Assist with wig, makeup items, and wardrobe tasks as needed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Verbal communication

Teaching/Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

Associate’s Degree in theatre design

Tools

Sewing machines

Overlock machines

Industrial irons

3D printers

Job description

Assistant Costume Shop Manager

Under the supervision of the Villanova Theatre Department’s (VTD) Costume Shop Manager, the Assistant Costume Shop Manager assists with the technical theatre elements related to costumes, hair/makeup, wigs, and all elements of costume design for VTD productions. The primary responsibility of the Assistant Costume Shop Manager is to supervise the day‑to‑day operations of the costume shop, including construction and fitting of costumes according to the Costume Design, managing the pulling, renting, cleaning, organizing, and storing of all costume pieces, and providing training and guidance to student workers. The Assistant Costume Shop Manager also serves as costume coordinator for all Villanova Student Theatre (VST) and Villanova Student Musical Theatre (VSMT) productions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the Costume Build Process for Villanova Theatre Productions:
  • Create patterns for all costumes pieces that will be built in the shop.
  • Utilize student workforce as first hands and stitchers.
  • Assist Costume Shop Manager and Costume Designer in scheduling and managing fittings, including setting up fitting rooms and taking/distributing fitting notes.
  • Train and schedule work‑study and graduate student first hands and stitchers.
  • Communicate with student design assistants regarding scheduling of fittings, fabric and shopping orders, yardages and notions needed per project and professional practices.
• Lead Technical Coordinator/Costume Shop Supervisor for Student co‑curricular groups:
  • Supervise any fittings, alterations, or builds for VST and VSMT productions.
  • Assist costume shop manager in purchasing, tracking budgets, gathering receipts, and handling returns of all purchased costume elements for these groups.
  • Advise student costume designers on design elements, schedules, and budgets for VST and VSMT productions.
  • Arrange trips to the theatre’s costume stock with student designers.
  • Attend student group production meetings, design runs, and technical rehearsals as required.
• Organization and Oversight of Villanova Theatre Costume Stock:
  • Assist costume shop manager with organization of costume stock.
  • Serve as primary point person for outside rentals from costume stock.
  • Serve as primary point person for costume donations.
• Attend Villanova Theatre Events when Requested:
  • Events may include design runs, technical rehearsals, production meetings, or full‑department events such as meet and greets and orientations.
  • Event attendance will be discussed with the Costume Shop Manager and Production Manager.
• Perform other duties and assist with projects as assigned:
  • Duties may include fulfilling rehearsal requests (rehearsal clothing, shoes, etc.), assisting with wig or makeup items, or assisting with the wardrobe team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Formal Education: Associate’s Degree, preferably in theatre design, technology, or fashion.
• Work Experience: 2–3 years of experience in costume construction, shop management, or as a shop technician.
• Work Skills:
  • Ability to work with individuals of all experience levels.
  • Experience teaching and mentoring students.
  • Strong verbal communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain an inventory of costume shop equipment.
• Specific Job Knowledge:
  • Proficiency in costume construction and alteration techniques.
  • Proficiency in draping and pattern making.
  • Knowledge of costume crafts, millinery, and fabric dying.
  • Basic knowledge of purchasing and accounting.
• Equipment Knowledge:
  • All types of home and industrial sewing machines.
  • Overlock machines.
  • Industrial irons.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal Education: BA or BS in Theatre or fashion with an emphasis in costume construction.
• Work Experience: 3–5 years of experience in costume construction, shop management, or as a shop technician.
• Work Skills: Teaching experience is a plus.
• Specific Job Knowledge:
  • Costume design experience is a plus.
  • Wardrobe experience is a plus.
  • Experience with costume fittings and interacting with actors is a plus.
• Equipment Knowledge:
  • Experience with 3D printers is a plus.
  • Experience with wigs or hair/makeup is a plus.

Physical Requirements and Work Hours

Daytime work hours (primary), nights and weekends as assigned. Must be able to lift and physically move up to 30 lbs. of clothing, stand for 5–7 hours a day, withstand finger pricks from pinning clothing to be sewn, sit and sew for 5–7 hours a day if needed.

Compensation

This position falls within hourly grade 12 and the range is $22.36–28.22 per hour. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.