Associate Costume Director

Who We Are:

Based in Stratford, Ontario, the Stratford Festival is one of the world’s foremost repertory theatre companies. It operates year-round, presenting a season of about a dozen plays each year between the months of April and November, a rich stream of digital content and hundreds of events designed to deepen understanding of the plays. For every person a theatregoer sees on our stages, we have seven people working behind the scenes, some of the world’s most dedicated and experienced arts workers.

The Stratford Festival is committed to ongoing work to support equity, inclusion, anti-racism and anti-oppression in all areas of our work. These areas include play selection, casting, marketing and public relations efforts, education programs, production, recruitment of staff and volunteers, and the composition of the Board of Directors.

Why You Should Apply:

• Creative work environment     
• Paid operational shutdown in December, with flexibility of days being used at alternative times during the year
• Group Insurance Benefits
• Employer matched RRSP
• Employee Assistance Program to encourage work-life balance and strong mental health
• Complimentary & discounted ticket offers and events
• Employee discounts on merchandise and event space
• Being a part of the magic of live theatre!

The Associate Costume Director is responsible for assisting the Costume Director in the planning, coordinating and implementing of wardrobe and wig requirements for Stratford Festival productions, film series, and special projects. They manage financial and human resources and evaluate designs and proposals within the parameters of established budgets and schedules, advising Designers and the Director of Production accordingly.  

Responsibilities:

• Assist in creating budgets for upcoming season planning, and advise on design and period implications
• Work with Department Heads and Designers to realize the look and design of each production as completely as possible within budget parameters
• Advise on production schedules as it relates to Wardrobe and Wigs Construction and Show Running
• Assist in devising the work schedule for the Wardrobe and Wigs build and coordinate the assigning of workload for the wigs department with the department heads
• Oversee the organization and management of the Wardrobe Attendant and Wigs and Make-Up departments including resolution of day to day problems
• Advise on the planning of training programs, and execute the programs accordingly
• Assist in negotiation of Wigs and Make-Up, and Wardrobe Attendants Union contracts
• Check and approve timesheets for all related departments
• Accurately forecast departmental budgets
• Ensuring the ongoing maintenance of the wardrobe maintenance facilities in each theatre
• Attend all dress rehearsals
• Recruit, manage and provide direction and support to employees, fostering professional development, effectively managing performance and maintaining a caring and inclusive work environment.
• Adhere to the Stratford Festival Health & Safety Commitment and Procedures, and ensure that safe work practices and policies are supported and enforced within reporting structure.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma program, typically a two year program, or equivalent, (i.e. Community college, Technical Institute or Trade School, etc.).
• 6 to 8 years of related experience
• Knowledge of Repertory Theatre an Asset
• Ability to interpret Designs and patterns
• Experience managing in a unionized environment considered an asset.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel

Behavioural Competencies: 

• Leadership: successfully guide others to maximize their capabilities to achieve a collective goal; help them to succeed and thrive
• Organization skills: create structure and optimally use resources to achieve results and ensure productivity
• Problem-Solving: able to identify challenges, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.

This posting closes 5:00pm August 14, 2024

Shared Values:

• Inclusion: contribute to an environment where everyone is welcome, valued and respected; consistently demonstrate an open-mindedness and intellectual curiosity that promote and celebrate the diversity of perspectives.
• Innovation: put experience and knowledge into creative problem-solving and the continuous improvement of the organization.
• Rigor: show integrity in behaviour, attention to detail in work and commitment to excellence and professional evolution
• Caring: be empathetic, understanding and attentive to others
• Connection: establish and maintain trusting relationships that are respectful and constructive

Who Should Apply:

We welcome applicants of every identity, and encourage applications from Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Deaf, disabled and 2SLGBTQ+ folks. We are committed to accommodating people with disabilities throughout the recruitment process and beyond. If you require accommodation (including, but not limited to, an accessible interview site, alternative format documents, ASL Interpreter or Assistive Technology) during the recruitment and selection process, please let our recruitment team know.

No candidate will meet every desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we’d love to learn more about you!

If you would like to contribute your own remarkable talents to North America’s largest not-for-profit theatre, we’d like to hear from you.