About the Role

The Deputy Head of Wardrobe plays a key role within the Wardrobe Department, supporting the Head of Wardrobe in delivering high-quality costumes for all Wiltshire Creative productions and projects.

This is a hands-on, practical role with a strong emphasis on costume making, alteration, and maintenance. The Deputy assists in all areas of production wardrobe work, supervises casuals and dressers as needed, and ensures smooth day-to-day operation of the department.

The postholder will deputise for the Head of Wardrobe in their absence, taking on management, budgeting, and departmental coordination as required.

Key Responsibilities

Costume Construction & Realisation

• Cut, make, alter and repair costumes to professional standards, following designer specifications
• Assist with fittings, ensuring costumes meet both artistic and practical requirements
• Source, purchase or hire costume elements as directed
• Maintain an excellent standard of costume finish, fit, and presentation
• Provide practical support to freelance makers, ensuring continuity of quality and communication between team members
• Support quick changes and dressing during technical rehearsals and performances when required

Department Support & Deputising

• Support the Head of Wardrobe in planning and delivering all wardrobe activity across productions, co-productions and visiting work
• Supervise casual staff, dressers and volunteers
• Deputise for the Head of Wardrobe in their absence — including leading the team, attending production meetings, and liaising with designers, production staff and stage management
• Assist with maintaining departmental budgets and records, submitting timesheets and purchase orders as required
• Contribute to maintaining and improving systems for costume tracking, laundry schedules, and departmental documentation

Laundry, Maintenance & Stock Management

• Support Laundry when required, ironing, and costume care
• Carry out or coordinate costume repairs, alterations, and replacements throughout a production’s run
• Assist in maintaining wardrobe facilities, laundry equipment
• Support the workspace organisation and contribute to the storage and cataloguing of costume stock, ensuring items are returned, repaired, and stored properly
• Assist with processing costume hires and returns

Health & Safety

• Follow all Health & Safety policies and ensure safe use of machinery, tools, and cleaning products
• Report faults, hazards or maintenance issues to the Head of Wardrobe or Technical Manager promptly
• Contribute to risk assessments and COSHH process when required

General

• To always act in the best interests of Wiltshire Creative
• To take positive action to promote Equal Opportunities in all aspects of the work of Wiltshire Creative
• To agree to abide by Wiltshire Creative’s policies, as set out in the Staff Handbook
• To maintain confidentiality in all areas relating to Wiltshire Creative
• Contribute positively to a collaborative and creative working environment.
• Support sustainability initiatives through environmentally responsible wardrobe practices.
• Work in line with Theatre Green Book standards, supporting Wiltshire Creative’s environmental sustainability goals through responsible sourcing, reuse, and waste reduction.
• To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible
• To be flexible and to undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by Management

About You

Skills

• Strong garment construction, pattern cutting, and alteration skills
• Competence in laundry processes, pressing, and basic fabric care
• Basic knowledge of wig, hair, or make-up maintenance

Experience

• Proven experience in a wardrobe or costume department roles.
• Qualification in Costume, Fashion, or Theatre Production (or equivalent experience).
• Familiarity with budget tracking and simple administrative systems including IT.
• Basic understanding of Health & Safety and risk assessment procedures.

Attributes

• Calm, adaptable and supportive under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy and discretion
• A collaborative, self-motivated, organised worker
• A proactive communicator with a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork
• Passionate about costume and theatre production
• Ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• Flexible availability including some evenings and weekends

Download the Recruitment Pack

View/Download Deputy Head of Wardrobe Recruitment Pack