Costume Shop Manager

Position

The Costume Shop Manager is responsible for all aspects of costume production and wardrobe operations for Oregon Ballet Theatre’s main company, junior company, and school productions, and marketing, development, and outreach events.

The Costume Shop Manager works independently under general guidelines provided by OBT’s Production Director or OBT2’s Program Director. The work is nuanced as each production has its own unique requirements. The role manages the costume shop’s daily operations, overseeing costume construction & repairs, fittings, rentals, budgeting, equipment maintenance, stock upkeep, and supervision of costume shop and union crews.

The Costume Shop Manager also collaborates with designers and choreographers to achieve artistic goals within resource constraints. This position requires independent problem-solving and efficient prioritization in fast-paced production environments.

Responsibilities

Job Duties / Competencies:

• Oversee all wardrobe-related hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, evaluations, and payroll, including union and over hire personnel.
• Manage workloads to meet production deadlines and foster a supportive environment focused on skill development in patterning, draping, fitting, and construction.
• Ensure confidentiality, uphold safety standards, and maintain an inclusive, respectful workplace.
• Interpret and realize designers’ visions with strong creative and construction skills, including pattern-free costume creation.
• Supervise all aspects of costume production: bids, alterations, maintenance, cleaning, hair/wig and makeup design, fittings, and storage.
• Conduct fittings with professionalism for company members, students, guests, and supernumeraries.
• Maintain detailed records: inventories, plots, dressing tracks, laundry charts, rentals, etc.
• Support marketing, development, and outreach with costume needs for photo/video shoots, touch tours, displays, and other events.
• Participate hands-on in construction, stitching, patterning, crafts, and hair/makeup work as needed.
• Oversee all backstage wardrobe operations at venues: setup, staff schedules, quick changes, laundry, repairs, and dressing rooms. • Collaborate with the Production Director on budget planning, expense tracking, and reconciliation.
• Research and recommend capital purchases; serve as purchasing agent for supplies, dancewear, and shoes. •
• Act as backup shoe manager—ordering, organization, dyeing, distribution, and repairs. • Attend and contribute to meetings, rehearsals, run-throughs, and planning sessions.
• Prepare, pack, and transport costumes to and from venues.
• Assist with season planning, calendaring, and policy development for costume related needs.
• Coordinate costume rentals: pricing, documentation, inventory, and shipping.
• Present costume processes for tours, events, and facility visits.
• Address concerns with active listening, follow-up, and solution-oriented responses.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Costume Shop Manager provides direct supervision to varying numbers of temporary employees including a draper, firsthand, shoe manager, seasonal stitchers and craftspeople, volunteers, and union stagehands, depending on the size and complexity of the production.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This position regularly requires extended hours and weekend work. Flexible scheduling of work hours is an option.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Minimum 4-5 years’ experience or formal training with in-depth knowledge in all aspects of theatrical costuming. •
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the following areas:
  • Costume construction
  • Costume design
  • Costume maintenance
  • Training & management of (union stagehands (IATSE)/non-union crews)
  • Dance/theatre production
  • Nonprofit management o Operations
  • Budgeting
  • Payroll
  • Hiring
  • Contracts
  • Labor laws (unions, etc.)
  • Scheduling
  • Multitasking
  • Interpersonal skills
• Cutting, hand & machine sewing/stitching, draping, pattering, altering, costume crafts such as dyeing, millinery, or leatherwork
• Operating and maintaining industrial and domestic sewing and serger machines
• Ballet shoe fitting
• Experience with makeup & wigs
• Experience with stretch fabrics
• Working with children

Computer Skills:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams)
• Windows operating systems
• Experience with Asana a plus

Apply

Email your cover letter and resume to here. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position will remain open until filled.

About Oregon Ballet Theatre

This is an exciting time to work at Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) – the nation’s 20th largest classical ballet company. OBT is the largest professional dance company in Oregon, employing over 300 people and attracting artists from around the globe with our reputation for excellence. The company is rooted in the traditions of classical ballet, with a repertoire that ranges from the great classics to premieres from some of the most exciting choreographic voices in the field today, including our own Artistic Director, Dani Rowe. Our mission is dedicated to the vitality of, and access to, world-class ballet performance and training in our region.

In addition to our 5-show main stage season, we introduce students to ballet and the importance of lifelong movement through our education and community engagement programs, and we train dancers from three years old to 80 years old through the professional and recreational classes at the Oregon Ballet Theatre School. Many of our students go on to successful professional careers at companies including the Joffrey, the Dutch National Ballet, and within our own organization.