JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITIONWardrobe Manager

REPORTS TOBallet Central Artistic Director

SALARY£22,000 - £24,000 pa

Job Purpose

To act as the main contact for all costumes for Ballet Central (BC) and Central School of Ballet (CSB). The Wardrobe Manager will be fully responsible for the overall preparation and running of the wardrobe, both on tour and at the school’s base. As the company is student-basedthe job role will include elements of a tutorial position.

Key Accountabilities

WARDROBE RESPONSIBILITIES

To maintain and organise the Costume Stock Room; managing an effective system for the provision of costumes for all performances, events, assessments and competitions, ensuring that all costumes are clean and stored appropriately in the CSB wardrobe. To maintain an up to date wardrobe loans book

To ensure that all sewing machines and overlockers are serviced annually, and ensurethat all other necessary equipment are in proper working order throughout the year.

To ensure that necessary supplies of stock for the general running of the wardrobe, whilst at the school and when touring are maintained.

To be responsible for keeping all receipts and records of all petty cash spent and giving a record of this to BC Company Manager and Finance Manager.

To ensure that the all 1st, 2nd year and 3rd year students are measured, and that these measurements are recorded and updated at the start of each term.

To organise and deliver lectures on general costume maintenance, touring responsibilities and costume design on stage in relation to their studies as required.

To advise and guide the students with the preparation of their Graduation costumes. Liaising with Artistic Director and BC Staff members.

To attend all relevant staff meetings especially Ballet Central weekly meetings

PRE PERFORMANCES RESPONSIBILITIES

To be responsible for designing and /or making costumes and for the recreation of existing costumes, finding suitable costume makers when appropriate, for all Ballet Central and CSB performances, events and competitions, with the guidance of the Artistic Director of BC, and liaising with choreographers, teaching staff, and designers.

To be responsible for liaising with outside organisations and individuals regarding the rental, borrowing and making of costumes, arranging preparation, collection, and delivery and cleaning.

To prepare an initial costing to be presented to the Director for the making of any costumes in liaison with BC Company Manager, ensuring that duplicate costumes and accessories are available for cast changes and these are included in the costings.

To produce a costume breakdown, including hair and makeup guidelines,of all costumes taken on Ballet Central tour.

Ensuring that all costumes are produced within the deadline and labelled with the appropriate student’s name.

PERFORMANCES & TOURING RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervising student wardrobe team at all venues, assuring that all the costumes are prepped, washed, ironed/steamed and ready for the performance, and during the get-out organising the wardrobe team to collect & bag up all costumes and accessories, ensuring the costumes are checked off an inventory.

Providing a list of how to care for the costumes with detailed guidelines, how to wash & clean the costumes, settings for iron & steamer, to be given to students within the wardrobe team.

To wash all washable items of costume after each performance.To dry clean costumes when appropriate and within budgetary restraints.

To pack all costumes, including shoes & accessories, for transportation to all venues, together with all necessary items,such as costume rails, sewing machine, steamer, iron and ironing board, washing materials.

To ensure that all students have the correct make-up, shoes, and wardrobe basics required for the tour.

Allocating dressing rooms and making sure costumes are organised and placed withinthe appropriate dressing room.

Allocating a quick change area and helping students with these changes as appropriate andhelping with wig and makeup application when necessary

General

  • Adhere to School policies, procedures and guidelines
  • Assist, support and attend events/performances as requested
  • Contribute to the operating values and ethos of the School as determined in its mission statement
  • Exercise discretion/confidentiality in business, personnel and financial matters externally, particularly regarding press/media and potential competitors

Person Specification

Essential

  • Relevant qualification in costume design and/or making
  • Experience of working within wardrobe management
  • Experience of working within Dance.
  • Experience of touring

Desirable

  • Experience of working successfully as part of a team and independently using initiative to organise workload and meet agreed deadlines
  • Experience of developing good working relationships with all staff and externally
  • Excellent communications skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels both verbally and in writing
  • Experience of working successfully in a changing organisation where flexibility and adaptability are essential
  • Successful experience of managing projects

Terms and Conditions

  • This is a fixed term contract with an annual salary of£22-24,000
  • The post will be offered on an initial 6-month probationary period
  • Normal working hours = 42.5 hours per week, 9am – 5.30pm, including one-hour lunch each day. Evening and weekend working during tour time will be subject to time off in lieu. There are no overtime payments linked to this post.
  • In line with School policy, this post requires a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure
  • Holiday Entitlement: all English Bank & Public Holidays, plus 20 days (four weeks) per annum, rising to 25 days (five weeks) after completion of two years’ service
  • Stakeholder pension available on appointment
  • Opportunity to join Medical Insurance Scheme at a preferential rate on successful completion of probationary period

The purpose of this document is to describe the key accountabilities that the person holding this position needs to achieve. It is in no way an exhaustive list of responsibilities of the role and in any event, the duties and requirements of this role may change from time to time as required by the School and/or Director.

WG/VCSep 2011