Assistant - Ladies Costume

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Constructing, altering and finishing modern and period costumes to a high standard under direction of senior staff,  using advanced machine and hand sewing skills.
• Attending fittings with senior staff, taking notes and assisting as required.
• Working to deadlines for scheduled fittings and rehearsals.
• Learning and developing new skills whilst adhering to Glyndebourne workroom procedures.
• To undertake your designated tasks following consultation with senior staff 
• Cutting garment components and fabrics using Glyndebourne procedures as directed by senior staff.
• Guiding less experienced and new staff in Glyndebourne working procedures.
• Maintaining tidiness of stock, workroom and equipment 
• Maintaining safe workroom practices and reporting issues to the Cutters as soon as they arise.
• Safe keeping of notes and samples for reference for the Costume Dept.
• Other duties as directed by the Head of Costume.
• Maintain positive relations with all Company members
• To comply with company, departmental and Health and Safety procedures
• To work with diplomacy and discretion with emphasis on safeguarding confidential information. 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Degree or equivalent in Costume / Tailoring/ Fashion.

• Degree or equivalent experience in Costume / Tailoring/ Fashion
• Workroom experience in costume/fashion construction where you have worked as part of a team of 3 or more
• Proven skills and experience in costume construction using machine and hand sewing techniques to a very high standard
• Good knowledge, proven skills and practical experience of making historical period garments to a good standard
• Experience of workroom procedures involving a large team
• A good understanding of a wide range of fabrics and haberdashery and their practical uses
• A strong knowledge of basic sewing machine maintenance (domestic and industrial)
• Sound knowledge of costume terminology and methods of construction that you have used in a workroom environment
• Flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Proven capability to undertake and complete work in line with guidelines provided / standard professional construction time frames
• Clear written and verbal communication skills

• An interest to develop skills and responsibilities within the costume workroom
• Good level of computer literacy with the ability to produce and update documents if needed
• An understanding of fitting room etiquette which you have previously demonstrated in a supportive role

This list of requirements is not exhaustive and other duties outside of this Job Description may be requested by the Head Of Costume to meet operational needs. Whilst this Job Description reflects our current situation it can be amended in the future.

Rate of Pay, Hours and Benefits

This is an hourly paid position and the current rates are £13.21 per hour/ £515.19 per week, plus any agreed increase for 2025.

The contractual hours of work are 39 hours per week, however this may increase during the Festival period. This will be discussed in further detail at the interview. 

6.8 weeks holiday pay pro rata inclusive of bank holidays.

We can offer a beautiful working environment, and the chance to see world-class opera.  For those without their own transport we have a free minibus service to and from Lewes railway station. 

We also offer : 

• Free Pilates and Zumba classes, once a week
• Corporate Gym memberships
• An onsite Physiotherapist
• Subsidised electric car charging
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Subsidised dining at our onsite restaurants
• Free tea and coffee
• Discount at the Glyndebourne shop
• Free on-site parking
• Free minibus service to and from Lewes train station and Ringmer
• Discount at various highstreet retailers through the Glyndebourne benefits hub

How to Apply

Glyndebourne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for vacancies, including ethnically diverse and disabled candidates, who are currently under-represented in our workforce.

To help us monitor the effectiveness of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and our supporting policies and procedures, we ask all job applicants to complete our anonymized and confidential Equal Opportunities monitoring form .

Please then apply by clicking here to complete our application form.

The closing date for applications is 10:00 on Monday 6 January 2025, with interviews to be held on 9 & 10 January.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our vacancies. If relevant to you, please inform us of this in your covering letter. If you have any questions in relation to this or if you would like this advert sent to you in a larger or dyslexia friendly font then please contact a member of the HR team at recruitment@glyndebourne.com.

 Glyndebourne commits to protecting your privacy. We will only use information about you in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and other relevant legislation and regulations. Please see more information in our Company Privacy Notice on our website