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Job Description / Duties

Job Title: Wardrobe Manager
Reporting to: Director, Artistic Operations
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Type of Position: Full Time, Permanent
Division: Company
Department: Production
Direct Reports: Lead Wardrobe, Second Wardrobe, Cutter, Stitchers, Dyer/Breakdown Artist, Make-up Leads/Consultants, Wig/Hair Leads/Consultants.

Purpose: Reporting to the Director, Artistic Operations, the Wardrobe Manager is responsible for supervising all aspects of the company wardrobe in preparation, building and execution. The Wardrobe Manager will lead the day to day management of the department including general organization and oversight, scheduling, fitting supervision, crew management, expense tracking, buying, build planning/execution and budget management as set by the Director, Artistic Operations.

Detailed Tasks Associated with Key Deliverables

1. Crew scheduling and leadership.

 Establish crew calls with the Production Manager to satisfy the needs of each production.
 Manage the daily, weekly and project deadlines as required by the demands of each individual production.
 Encourage a high standard of execution in costume construction, organization and documentation.
 Hiring and managing IATSE ABRC crew as governed by the Alberta Ballet White Contract.
 Managing make up and wig/hair requirements as determined on a show by show basis. At times this will include hiring the appropriate individuals to complete prep and consultation in these departments.


2. Build and preparation for new creations and re-mounts/rentals.
 Creating a build schedule based on the budget provided by the Director, Artistic Operations and the provided costume designs.
 Compiling all new design information including materials used, vendors and material pricing and for remounts.
 Assisting/facilitating the designer in purchasing the appropriate materials for the new design, and for remounts.
 Managing the rebuild/maintenance requirements for the Nutcracker on a yearly basis as determined by the age and condition of the costumes.
 Scheduling dancer fittings with stage management when required.

3. Expense tracking, budget management and reporting.
 Tracking all expenses for the department including invoices and visa statements.
 Entering all expenses into a shared expense tracking worksheet that is directly monitored by the Production Manager.
 The Director, Artistic Operations will provide comprehensive budgets per year that the Wardrobe Manager will be responsible for managing.
 Design breakdowns for new builds including build hours/piece and project quoting/costing.

4. Administration
 Responsible for the general organization of information contained within the wardrobe department.
 Creating fitting sign in sheets for the dancers and ensuring that the daily dancer schedule as well as the sign in sheets are posted prior to fittings daily.
 Maintain the company wardrobe inventory as a whole both at the company studios and the warehouse locations.
 Provide administrative support to the wardrobe department and function as the liaison between the wardrobe department, the company, designers and external parties.

5. Special Event and Marketing support.
 Manage requests for costumes that are required as part of special events, performances and marketing/development opportunities.
 This includes providing dressed mannequins and/or prepping costumes for auxiliary performances.

Qualifications / Required Skills

 Strong leadership skills, team building skills, and a positive and open attitude towards feedback.
 5 years minimum wardrobe experience that may include but not limited to theatre, film and commercial experience.
 3 years minimum costume shop management.
 A post secondary education in either costume construction, theatre arts or fashion construction is considered an asset.
 Strong understanding of the costume design and build process.
 Budget management skills an asset.
 Experience in dance and/or tutu construction a requirement.

Working Conditions / physical requirements
 The established schedule in the studios is Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. This position is a year round, full time, permanent position and may require evening and weekend work, schedule dependant.
 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, and speak and hear. The employee must lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
 Must be prepared to use his or her own personal vehicle for occasional company business, and will be reimbursed per kilometer.
 A demonstrable ability to handle a deadline oriented, fast paced environment.
 Successful candidates will be required to complete a police background/vulnerable sector check as a condition of employment, as well as provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19.

Additional Information

The position of Wardrobe Manager is a salaried, management position with days and hours of work to be determined by the Director of Artistic Operations and follow Alberta Labor Standards guidelines. The Wardrobe Manager position is subject to any and all Alberta Ballet company policies and procedures.
All overtime must be discussed and receive prior written approval by the Director, Artistic Operations.

Please submit your cover letter and resume through our career site: www.albertaballet.com/careers

Salary: Starting at $62,000 per year

Contact Information

Please contact Human Resources @ hr@albertaballet.com

Employer Profile

Alberta Ballet’s mission is to ignite the curiosity and imagination of people in communities across the province through dance training, creation and performance. We have proudly served the province since 1966, bringing dance to tens of thousands of Albertans each year, and we’re preparing to embark on a renewed commitment to share more dance with more Albertans. 

Our school offers a comprehensive professional training program for students in grades 7 – 12. It’s one of just a handful of ballet schools in North America to a world-renowned ballet curriculum alongside on-site academics and to include a residence option. We also provide recreational programming, welcoming all ages in Calgary and Edmonton to learn ballet. 

Alberta Ballet is committed to an inclusive workplace culture. This includes valuing diversity in our workforce, providing a safe work environment and fostering a culture of belonging. We believe a workplace with equal opportunity employment fosters creativity and strengthens connections to the communities we serve.