Costume Shop Manager | College of Arts & Letters

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

About Us:

Throughout its history, the University of Notre Dame has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the arts. From building art collections to constructing world-class performance venues, Notre Dame has continuously invested in purposeful engagement with the arts—on campus and within the broader community.

We are seeking an experienced Costume Shop Manager to join the The College of Arts & Letters Production Team.  This individual will lead the daily operations of the costume shop and play a vital role in supporting productions for the Film, Television, and Theatre season, the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, and Opera Notre Dame. 

About the Position

Reporting to the Production Manager, the Costume Shop Manager oversees all aspects of costume shop operations, including costume construction, fittings, budgeting, staffing, and maintenance of the University's costume collection. This position collaborates closely with faculty, guest artists, costume designers, and production staff to ensure artistic goals are achieved while maintaining production schedules and fiscal responsibility.

The Costume Shop Manager combines advanced technical expertise in costume construction with leadership, mentorship, and administrative oversight. This role supervises student employees and temporary artisans while fostering a safe, collaborative, and inclusive working environment.

This is a full-time position with frequent evening and weekend responsibilities during production periods.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Production Execution & Technical Leadership

• Collaborate with costume designers to execute artistic visions through advanced costume construction, draping, pattern-making, tailoring, and alterations.
• Lead costume shop workflow for all productions, developing schedules that ensure costumes are completed before technical rehearsals.
• Construct, modify, and repair costumes, fabrics, and costume accessories as required.
• Coordinate costume fittings with designers and performers and implement fitting adjustments.
• Assist designers with pulling costumes from stock and purchasing or sourcing materials, fabrics, and costume pieces.
• Supervise student workers and temporary costume artisans to ensure high-quality craftsmanship and timely completion of production deadlines.
• Participate in production meetings and provide technical expertise related to costume construction, crafts, wigs, hair, and makeup.
• Attend dress rehearsals and performances as assigned and coordinate costume maintenance and strike activities following each production.

Personnel Leadership & Student Mentorship

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise student employees, wardrobe supervisors, and temporary costume artisans.
• Provide hands-on instruction and professional mentorship to students pursuing theatrical production and costume technology.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, professionalism, inclusion, and workplace safety.
• Establish weekly shop schedules based on production priorities and supervise all assigned labor, including staff, contractors, student employees, and volunteers.

Administrative & Budget Management

• Manage costume shop budgets, including tracking expenditures for materials, labor, rentals, and purchases.
• Coordinate payroll for student employees and temporary staff.
• Prepare contracts, rental agreements, invoices, and purchasing documentation.
• Maintain detailed records of production progress, budgets, labor schedules, and payroll.
• Monitor inventory of shop supplies, notions, expendable materials, and specialized equipment while planning future purchases.

Costume Collection Management & Community Engagement

• Oversee the organization, preservation, and long-term maintenance of the University's costume collection.
• Manage costume rentals and loans for campus users and external organizations.
• Generate rental agreements, invoices, and inventory records while ensuring timely return, cleaning, repair, and restocking of costumes.
• Serve as the primary liaison for costume rentals, applying departmental policies and providing customer service to university and community partners.

Shop Operations & Safety

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe costume shop environment in accordance with University policies and OSHA safety standards.
• Perform routine maintenance of sewing machines, pressing equipment, dye equipment, and other specialized costume shop tools.
• Evaluate equipment needs and recommend long-term capital improvements.
• Support other production activities and departmental initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Costume Design, Theatre, Fashion Design, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–7 years of professional experience in a theatrical costume shop.
• Demonstrated supervisory or leadership experience managing staff, student employees, or production teams.

Required

• Advanced knowledge of costume construction, including draping, pattern-making, tailoring, alterations, and fabric treatments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage departmental budgets, production schedules, purchasing, and labor across multiple overlapping productions.
• Experience collaborating effectively with costume designers, directors, faculty, guest artists, staff, and students.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to recruit, train, supervise, and mentor student employees and temporary staff.
• Familiarity with OSHA and industry-standard safety practices for theatrical shop environments.
• Valid driver's license with the ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Preferred

• Extensive knowledge of costume technologies, including fabric dyeing, millinery, costume crafts, mask-making, and wigs.
• Strong understanding of contemporary and historical costume and fashion styles.
• Demonstrated interest in mentoring and training emerging theatre technicians and student workers.
• Experience using software for scheduling, budgeting, inventory management, and costume shop administration.
• Experience working in an academic or educational theatre environment.

Additional Information

Application Deadline : July 26, 2026

Hiring Pay Range : Up to $70,000, commensurate with experience.

Required Application Materials : A resume and cover letter are required to be considered for this position.

Please upload both documents in the Attachments section of your application.

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.