Royal & Derngate

Job Description

Department: Production

Job Title: Head of Wardrobe

Responsible to: Head of Production

Responsible for:

Deputy Head of Wardrobe Wardrobe Assistant Freelance Wardrobe staff

Job Purpose:  To be responsible for achieving and maintaining a high standard of operational efficiency in the Royal & Derngate’s Wardrobe Department  Lead on all aspects of making, hiring, cutting, altering and maintaining of costumes for Royal and Derngate productions  Cost-effective control of budgets  Ensure a pleasant and safe working environment  Planning and development of the department’s capability to meet the organisation’s programming needs.

1. To be responsible for the efficient day to day running of the Wardrobe Department 2. To supervise the making, buying, hiring or borrowing of costumes and wigs for Royal & Derngate productions and activities to deadlines and budgets as agreed with the Head of Production 3. To be the first point of contact for designers with regard to all aspects of costume. Creating a positive and welcoming dialogue, providing creative solutions to design problems 4. To oversee and undertake the manufacture, alteration, finishing, cleaning, maintenance dyeing and breaking down of costumes, costume accessories and, as appropriate, wigs 5. To instruct the dressers in their duties and to advise the production team of any perceived difficulties in costume changes 6. To oversee, storage and maintenance of costume and wigs, record items borrowed or hired, and make returns as required 7. To maintain good relations with all suppliers 8. To advise the Head of Production on Wardrobe costing during the planning process of productions and manage all assigned budgets. 9. To advise the Head of Production of any developing cost, technical or timescale Job Ref: Head of Wardrobe December 2016 Royal & Derngate

Job Description problems, in order that remedial action can be taken in good time. 10. To maintain the Department’s equipment in good working order, and to make recommendations for replacements and additions. 11. To be responsible and account for all monies issued and to adhere at all times to the procedures laid down in Northampton Theatres Trust’s Financial Regulations. 12. To provide induction training for new, full and part time departmental staff and placements 13. To attend production, staff, and other meetings as appropriate. 14. Promote and adhere to the organisation’s culture and values. 15. To provide the highest level of customer service and audience care at all times 16. To be aware of, adhere to, and implement any legislative requirements consistent with overall duties of this post, with particular regard to Health and Safety policies and procedures, Data Protection Act 1998 and Equal Opportunities. 17. To undergo relevant training and development required by the Head of Production. 18. To carry out any other tasks that will, from time to time be allocated by the Head of Production or the Operations Director on an ad hoc or continuing basis, commensurate with the general level of responsibility of the post.

Job Ref: Head of Wardrobe December 2016 Royal & Derngate

Person Specification

Essential Desirable

Experience Experience  Experience in textiles  Producing theatre company, and/or Repertory theatre system  Proven experience in a producing theatre  Running a Theatre Wardrobe Department  Experience of cutting both men’s and women’s period and modern costume Knowledge/Qualifications  Experience of altering and making men’s and women’s costume to a  First Aid at Work certificate high standard.  IOSH Managing Safely  Experience of Prop Costume making.  Driving Licence  At least 3 years experience of Theatre costuming at a senior level  Wardrobe scheduling Skills/Abilities  Labour deployment Specialist skills such as tailoring, millinery and wig dressing  Materials procurement  Budget control  Efficient time management with ability to work to strict deadlines

Knowledge/Qualifications  Theatre costume making skills to a high standard  History of fashion  Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and other legislative requirements  Understanding of, and commitment to, live performance

Skills/Abilities  Able to plan work effectively  Able to work creatively  Excellent interpersonal skills  Good Communication skills  Staff deployment  Staff Training and Development skills  Initiative to work alone with minimum of supervision

Job Ref: Head of Wardrobe December 2016