Lecturer/Costume Shop Manager

UMass Amherst•Amherst, NY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Theater at the University of Massachusetts Amherst seeks a full-time, non-tenure-track Lecturer who will serve as Costume Shop Manager. This is a nine-month appointment with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2027. The initial appointment is for two years; reappointments during the first four years are at the Dean’s discretion and contingent on satisfactory performance and funding availability. The position’s teaching load is 1-1 to balance its administrative, supervisory, and production responsibilities. The Costume Shop Manager oversees Costume Shop operations in support of department productions and teaches and develops curriculum in costume technology. The shop has professional-grade equipment, specialized work areas including a ventilated dye room, and abundant natural light. The manager works with costume design faculty, professional costume staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students, and supervises costume construction, alterations, fittings, wardrobe support, costume stock, equipment maintenance, and costume lending. The role also trains and supervises student employees, instructs students in costume construction and professional theater practices, and supervises graduate students teaching costume technology courses. The Lecturer teaches approximately one costume technology course per semester and develops a rotating repertory of courses, potentially including draping, pattern making, basic tailoring, and foundational costume construction and craft practices. Courses respond to departmental and interdisciplinary needs and serve students in Theater, Fashion Design, Fashion Studies, and related disciplines. The successful candidate is expected to bring a student-centered, mentorship-based approach to teaching and learning, exercise independent judgment, and support the Department’s educational and artistic mission. This position is onsite in Amherst. Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion. It is a 100% full-time-equivalency, nine-month academic-year appointment with full benefits. The anticipated salary range is $65,550–$81,000, commensurate with experience. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.

Requirements

Master of Fine Arts or other terminal degree in Costume Technology, Costume Design, Fashion Design, or a related field.
Demonstrated professional experience in costume construction, draping, pattern drafting, fittings, and wardrobe management.
Teaching experience in costume construction or costume technology at the secondary or collegiate level.
Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
Experience supervising employees, students, volunteers, or production crews.
Experience managing theater production costume budgets, inventories, rentals, and shop operations.
Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Experience with wigs, hair styling, and makeup.
Demonstrated proficiency in one or more specialty areas, including millinery, tailoring, textile paint/dye, draping, flat pattern making, costume crafts, or wardrobe.
Active engagement with professional organizations, industry networks, and individual practitioners.

Responsibilities

Work with designers to interpret designs and participate in costume realization, including pattern drafting, draping, craft and construction, alterations, fittings, complex builds, and related work.
Manage daily Costume Shop operations in collaboration with the Assistant Costume Shop Manager, fostering an organized, accessible, collaborative, and inclusive environment.
Ensure compliance with safety procedures and maintain a safe working environment.
Plan, allocate, monitor, and reconcile costume production budgets for materials, rentals, equipment, and other production needs.
Oversee costume stock and equipment, including maintenance, inventory, and post-production cleaning, repair, and documentation.
Train, supervise, and mentor students in costume construction, pattern alteration, fitting techniques, machine operation, wardrobe procedures, costume maintenance, and other production practices.
Attend production and departmental meetings and collaborate with faculty and staff on educational activities related to costume technology and production practices.
Develop and teach costume technology courses, such as draping and patternmaking, and teach a 1-1 course load.
Revise course materials and assignments, evaluate student learning, provide constructive feedback, and collaborate on curriculum development and interdisciplinary teaching opportunities.
Supervise graduate students teaching costume technology courses.
Participate in departmental governance and administrative activities related to the Department of Theater.