Costume Shop Manager – Charlotte Ballet

Arts & Science; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision and life insurance

403b matching contribution

Discounted performances

Internal opportunities for growth and development

Volunteer opportunities within the arts community

Job summary

Charlotte Ballet, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, is seeking a Costume Shop Manager to oversee costume operations for performances. The role requires 3–5 years of experience in costume shop management and leadership skills, focusing on safety and efficiency.

The manager collaborates with creative staff and ensures high-quality costume production. Compensation is competitive at around $60K, along with benefits such as health insurance and internal growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional costume shop management experience, preferably in dance or performing arts.
• Strong expertise in cutting, draping, pattern drafting, stitching, costume construction, fitting, and garment alteration.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work well under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise costume shop staff and over hire personnel.
• Manage costume construction from concept through execution.
• Collaborate with artistic staff and choreographers to achieve artistic intent.

Skills

Costume construction

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Job description

Founded in 1970, Charlotte Ballet is known for its strong dancers and versatile repertoire, ranging from classical ballet to bold, contemporary works. The company’s professional dancers annually present performances in Charlotte, N.C., during a season spanning from October to June. The Company is also rebuilding our reputation as a distinct voice within the dance field through touring strategies that reach and diversify dance audiences beyond Charlotte. Charlotte Ballet Academy trains students annually and the company has nationally recognized educational and community programs.

Charlotte Ballet operates the Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance in uptown Charlotte. The Center for Dance houses administrative and rehearsal spaces, as well as a 200-seat theater. Our vision is fueled by creativity with a commitment to diversity, equity and access to education and expression. We inspire individuals and communities to explore the boundless potential of the imagination. We value Community, Equity & Inclusion, Respect, Integrity, Creativity and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Costume Shop Manager supervises the general operations of the costume shop and leads the technical execution, fabrication, maintenance, alteration, and refurbishment of costumes for Charlotte Ballet company, Academy, and educational performances.

This role provides leadership to costume shop staff and over hire personnel, partners closely with artistic and production leadership to realize artistic vision, and ensures safe, efficient, and high-quality costume production in a fast-paced performance environment. This position requires significant work time during evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise Charlotte Ballet costume shop staff and over hire personnel, fostering a respectful, collaborative, and efficient shop environment.
• Manage costume construction from concept through execution, including planning, fabrication, fitting, alteration, and final delivery.
• Maintain safe working practices and oversee day-to-day costume shop operations, workflows, and production schedules.
• Refurbish, alter, and recreate existing costumes to support repertory needs and production timelines.
• Collaborate with artistic staff, guest designers, and choreographers to achieve artistic intent for productions and performances.
• Oversee company shoe management, including organization, maintenance, and performance readiness.
• Support costume rentals and related logistics as needed.
• Maintain production paperwork, costume records, and shop documentation to support continuity and historical tracking.
• Supervise and provide guidance to assistant costume shop personnel, wardrobe staff, over hires, and relevant stage support as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of production operations.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional costume shop management experience, preferably in dance or performing arts.
• Strong expertise in cutting, draping, pattern drafting, stitching, costume construction, fitting, and garment alteration.
• Working knowledge of fit and construction techniques specific to dance costuming.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while meeting tight deadlines in a production environment.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with varied personalities.
• Ability to observe, evaluate, instruct, and support staff effectively.
• Experience with production paperwork, record keeping, and costume history documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure.
• Helpful experience in costume crafts such as textile dyeing and manipulation, millinery, leatherworking, jewelry, and beading.
• Some dance background strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and proper insurance required.

Work Environment and Schedule

This role operates in a production-focused, deadline-driven environment with significant seasonal fluctuations tied to rehearsal and performance schedules. Evening, weekend, and holiday work is regularly required to support productions, fittings, technical rehearsals, and performance needs.

Reporting and Collaboration

The Costume Shop Manager reports to the Production Manager and Artistic Director and works closely with costume shop staff, wardrobe staff, production department personnel, Academy staff and dancers, artistic staff and dancers, and cross-functional partners across development, education, and marketing. External collaboration includes designers, vendors, IATSE, choreographers, and patrons.

Compensation Range: $60K

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 403b matching contribution
• Discounted performances
• Internal opportunities for growth and development
• Volunteer opportunities within the arts community