Unit Manager Costume Studio Supervisor

Position Description

Manages a unit within a department. Plans, organizes and develops goals and procedures for the unit. Represents the unit to administrators, outside agencies and others on relevant matters. Supervises subordinate staff.

Major/Essential Functions

Technical and Shop Skills

• Ability to execute and lead the construction, alteration, and fabrication of costumes, including patterning, draping, stitching, crafts, and accessories.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent production timelines while maintaining quality, organization, and safety standards.

Costume Studio Management

• Oversee and participate in the realization of garments, crafts, and accessories from design development through production completion, including tracking fabrication progress, labor allocation, and production timelines.
• Manage studio workflow for costume, hair, and makeup elements associated with season productions in collaboration with faculty, staff, guest artists, and student crews.
• Attend and manage all fittings.
• Manage safe operations and maintenance of all studio equipment and machinery.
• Maintain and manage an organized inventory of costume stock and storage on and off site.

Leadership and Management Experience

• Collaborate with School personnel to realize season productions.
• Consult with the Production Manager on scope, labor, and resource allocation.
• Educate, train, and supervise costume employees and student crews according to industry, institutional, and safety standards.
• Supervise and manage all costume studio staff, including undergraduate and graduate production assistants and allotted payroll.
• Attend and participate in season planning efforts, staff meetings, production meetings, postmortem assessments, and other production related meetings.
• Establish and maintain clear expectations, communication practices, and working standards for all studio personnel.
• Provide structured training and skill development opportunities for students within the production process.
• Attend dress rehearsals.
• Train and manage backstage operations in the areas of wardrobe, hair, and makeup.

Physical and Logistic

• Production schedules may occasionally require evening and weekend work during peak rehearsal and performance periods.
• Transport costume stock to and from storage.