Wardrobe Director
2 days ago
Minneapolis
Job DescriptionDescription: Department: Wardrobe Reports to: Costume Director Compensation: $75,000 - $76,400, depending on qualifications Benefits: Benefits Eligible Position Summary The Wardrobe Director leads the Wardrobe team in the care, maintenance, and storage of all costume elements for Guthrie Theater productions and events. In close collaboration with the Wardrobe Coordinator and in collaboration with designers and other departments, this role ensures high standards of craft, continuity, and safety across the production process. The Wardrobe Director is responsible for budgeting and staffing each season as well as planning and budgeting each production. All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility The schedule hours are variable depending on the dynamic needs of the theater. Hours will include evenings and weekends during tech. The Guthrie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building an equitable environment that finds strength in diversity of identity, experience and perspective. We are dedicated to hiring and developing talented teams which are inclusive and welcoming to individuals with different backgrounds, thoughts, and abilities. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply. Primary Duties and Responsibilities 1. Leadership and Supervision • Lead, manage and supervise the Wardrobe Coordinator, Wardrobe Assistants, Wig and Wardrobe Technicians, and Wardrobe Overhires., • Check-in regularly with all direct reports., • Hire full time and overhire Wardrobe staff, including swings, to ensure quality work., • Lead department meetings to communicate pertinent information to employees., • Coach and develop staff members by monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback; facilitating conflict resolution among employees; ensuring adherence to legal and organizational policies and procedures and undertaking disciplinary actions if the need arises; and completing annual performance evaluations., • Approve direct report timesheets and Personal Time Off requests and maintain personnel records., • Actively participate in team building. Foster a work environment of Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility. 2. Project Planning + Implementation • Proactively plan and foster communication within the Wardrobe department and with production leadership on upcoming shows., • Attend production meetings, load-in/strike meetings and production leader meetings. Share pertinent information with Wardrobe employees., • Communicate all relevant technical information to wardrobe crew and other departments so the productions can run in a safe, timely, and resource-effective manner., • Coordinate with Production Management, Costume Shop, Wigs, and Stage Management to develop plans for handling costumes and wigs during performances, load-ins, and strikes., • Consult with production leaders on any wardrobe-related issues that arise during the production process., • Work with Costume Design Assistants to gain information on costumes, costume plots, quick changes, and other technical information relevant to developing timely and accurate Wardrobe run paperwork., • Work with Costume Design Assistants to create an understudy plan that is achievable within given resources. Supervise the execution of the understudy plan., • In collaboration with the Wardrobe Coordinator, create a plan for the wardrobe team for each show, including dressing room assignments, work assignments, inventory, and show run plans / documents., • Coordinate with relevant departments regarding costume special effects as needed., • Lead and support the Wigs, Hair and Makeup team, Wardrobe teams and Costume Design Assistants throughout the tech process with regular meetings, information sharing, communication support and trouble shooting., • Attend all technical notes sessions or appoint a Wardrobe representative. 3. Manage Wardrobe Operations • Ensure that all appropriate department supplies are stocked and replenished and that these resources are managed efficiently., • Ensure that wardrobe department facilities are safe for employees, and that established processes and procedures prioritize the health and safety of the team., • Collaborate with the Wardrobe Coordinator regularly to monitor project progress, equipment and staffing needs., • Manage annual budget to ensure effective utilization of financial resources in collaboration with Production Management., • Work with Director of Production to prepare and maintain capital expenditure lines., • Project and manage expenses for all Guthrie productions, • Work with Events Production Manager to support institutional special events as needed., • Work collaboratively with other departments to determine and implement archival systems about each production for future reference., • Ensure all pertinent information regarding productions and costume department operations is available to all relevant personnel and updated in all file sharing and storage locations as required., • Provide coverage for Wardrobe Coordinator absences as needed., • Execute weekly cobbler runs. 4. Manage Warehouse Operations • Manage the costume warehouse with available costume and wardrobe staff to maintain a safe and easily accessible stock of costumes., • Ensure that equipment is properly maintained and necessary supplies are available., • Collaborate with Design Assistants and Associate Costume Director to plan rack shifts for pulling and / or restocking., • Coordinate the return and restock of costume items to stock during strike., • Demonstrated wardrobe supervision experience in a variety of organizations, or a combination of equivalent experience and training., • Demonstrated leadership, supervision and project management experience., • Demonstrated professional diplomacy in personnel management and designer collaboration., • Demonstrated experience in preparing budgets and labor estimates to keep projects within an acceptable timeframe, budget, and scope., • Knowledge of IATSE collective bargaining agreements strongly preferred. Can balance scale and scope of productions with Costume Director and production management within allocated resources., • Knowledge of fashion, hair and costume history and the principles of design to support production integrity., • Knowledge of local suppliers and sources to maintain both individual productions and department., • Knowledge of costume design and construction to effectively manage the maintenance and repair of costumes., • Knowledge of fabric cleaning products and techniques to manage costume maintenance., • Proficiency in Microsoft Office® products, specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook., • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills., • Can work well under pressure and respond calmly and efficiently to frequent changes during the production and rehearsal process., • Skill and experience in creative problem solving to meet the artistic needs of the show within time and financial requirements., • Strong commitment to safety and ergonomics in the workplace, coupled with knowledge of current best health and safety practice within the US theatre industry., • A valid driver’s license is required., • Can work variable hours depending on the dynamic needs of the theater. Can work evenings and weekends during tech. The Guthrie relies on the talents of many artists and staff, both on and off the stage, to create powerful works of theater at the Guthrie. We are dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference. Acknowledging that there are many identities that are underrepresented in the theater overall, the Guthrie strongly encourages candidates who bring diversity of identity, experience and thought to apply. We also acknowledge that candidates can have unique and non-linear and transferable skills. We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification but have transferrable skills and passion for our mission and vision. WHY SHOULD I APPLY? Be a part of a leading non-profit organization that is committed to serving not only the local Twin Cities community but the industry as a whole. The Guthrie offers top-notch employee benefits and staff perks which includes: • Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employer contributions to HSA, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, Group Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (with employer match up to 4.5% after one year of service), • Transportation: Subsidized passes for Metro Transit buses and trains, discounted pre-tax monthly ramp parking, • Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO), • Complimentary Tickets: To Guthrie productions, • Discounted Tickets: To all shows produced by the Guthrie and to some performances hosted by the Guthrie, • Classes and Camps: Discounts to Guthrie classes and camps The Guthrie Theater engages exceptional theater artists in the exploration of both classic and contemporary plays connecting the community we serve to one another and to the world. Through its extraordinary artists, staff and facility, the Guthrie is committed to the people of Minnesota, and from its place, rooted deeply in the Twin Cities, influences the field as a leading 21st century arts organization. Every year more than 500 people, both on stage and off, help ensure our success in creating and supporting the highest level of theater. As an organization, we are committed to our values of Artistic Excellence, Community, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Fiscal Responsibility. The Guthrie Theater is located in the historic Mill District along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As the largest city in the state, Minneapolis offers a large variety of parks, lakes, great food, festivals, malls and more. LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT The Guthrie Theater would like to acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the Dakota People and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations, including the Ojibwe and other Indigenous nations. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for the position.