Boston College IntroductionFounded in 1863, Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic university located six miles from downtown Boston with an enrollment of 9,484 full-time undergraduates and 5,250 graduate and professional students. Ranked 35 among national universities, Boston College has 888 full-time and 1,281 FTE faculty, 2,711 non-faculty employees, an operating budget of $1.4 billion, and an endowment in excess of $3.5 billion.
Job DescriptionPosition Details:
Department: 053601 - Theater
Position: 00011299 - Costume Shop Supervisor
Grade: 2ND
Full-Time Equivalent Hiring Range: $48,700 to $60,850 (9 month range $36,525 to $45,637); salary commensurate with relevant experience.
The Theatre Department at Boston College seeks an experienced professional to plan, manage, and supervise the Costume Shop's daily operations, including the cutting and construction of costumes for five productions each academic year. This is a full-time 9-month benefits-eligible staff position starting in mid-August 2025 and running through mid-May each year.
The key Costume Shop Supervisor responsibilities include:
- Be present and available in person during Regular Costume Shop Hours.
- Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and collaborative shared workspace environment.
- Establish and maintain a positive collaborative relationship with costume design faculty and student costume designers to execute designs for five overlapping Theatre Department productions each academic year.
- Plan, oversee, and execute the construction of all costumes. Create patterns using flat patterning and draping skills; conduct and supervise measurements, cutting, stitching, alterations, fittings, and costume crafts. Assist with researching and purchasing costume pieces as needed.
- Plan, monitor, and execute the workflow of all costume shop tasks for concurrent productions.
- Generate and adhere to costume-specific production calendars. Ensure all costumes are ready for use before technical rehearsals.
- Communicate clearly and promptly in person and via email with all members of the production staff and artistic teams, production manager, department chair, other faculty and staff, external colleagues, and students.
- Attend and participate in department meetings, production meetings, technical rehearsals, and dress rehearsals.
- Balance independent working time with time spent supervising student helpers.
- Monitor, maintain, and effectively organize shop and dressing room equipment and supplies, costume stock and storage, inventory of costumes and materials, as well as incoming and outgoing costume rentals. Purchase costume-related materials and supplies.
- Possess operating and basic repair knowledge of home and industrial sewing machines, sergers, industrial irons, and steamers; understand and implement safe use of fabric dyes.
- Schedule, assess skill levels, instruct, and supervise beginning students in basic hand and machine sewing skills. Hire, train, and assign tasks to intermediate-skill level student technicians.
- Strike all costume spaces after the conclusion of each production. Execute repairs, all cleaning and laundry tasks, and restock of all costume pieces.
- Track costume expenses during and after each production. Accurately organize and submit receipts each month.
- Collaborate and consult with faculty and production staff regarding future equipment repairs and purchases, allocation of labor resources, and production budgets.
- Schedule and coordinate borrowing appointments. Maintain reciprocal borrowing agreements. Oversee, coordinate, and restock donation intakes.
RequirementsPhysical Demands/Working Conditions
Complete work in a busy theatrical costume shop setting with exposure to noise, dust, heights, and moving parts. Primary functions require physical ability and mobility to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and pull; to climb ladders; and to operate sewing equipment and machinery requiring repetitive hand movement and fine motor coordination.
- Bachelor's degree in theatre and relevant experience in sewing, costume construction, and tailoring.
- Prior experience working in a theatrical costume shop and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong collaboration, written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Robust strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills; flexibility and ability to adapt to changing needs.
- Advanced patterning and costume construction skills; experience with costume crafts; knowledge of costume history.
- Ability to instruct, supervise, and effectively work with students of various levels of skill.
- Proficiency with Word, Excel, and Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
- Budget management experience.
- Frequent evening and weekend hours are required for technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and strike after the last performance of each production.
Preferred:
- BFA in costume technology.
- Experience with make-up and wigs is beneficial.
Closing StatementBoston College offers a broad and competitive range of benefits depending on your job classification eligibility:
- Tuition remission for Employees
- Tuition remission for Spouses and Children who meet eligibility requirements
- Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Low-Cost Life Insurance
- Eligibility for both University-Funded 401k and Employer-Sponsored 403b Retirement Plans
- Paid Holidays Annually
- Generous Sick and Vacation Pay
- Additional benefits can be found on https://www.bc.edu/employeehandbook
Boston College conducts pre-employment background checks as part of the hiring process.
Boston College's Notice of Nondiscrimination can be viewed at https://www.bc.edu/nondiscrimination.
