Lecturer/Costume Shop Manager

Title: Lecturer/Costume Shop Manager Executive Area: Academic Affairs College/School/MBU: Humanities & Fine Arts Department: Theater Work Location: Amherst Schedule: Full time Work Arrangement: Onsite   Job Summary The Department of Theater at the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Lecturer who will serve as Costume Shop Manager. While most Lecturers at the University teach a 3-3 course load, to balance the administrative, supervisory, and production responsibilities associated with directing the Costume Shop, the teaching load initially for this position is reduced to 1-1.This is a full-time, 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 made at the discretion of the Dean and are contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of fundingThe Costume Shop Manager/Lecturer oversees the operations of the Costume Shop in support of the Department of Theater’s productions, while also teaching classes on topics in costume technology. The shop features professional-grade equipment and dedicated specialized work areas, including a ventilated dye room. There are windows with abundant natural light. This position involves overseeing the shop, working closely with costume design faculty, professional costume staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students. The Costume Shop Manager supervises costume construction, alterations, fittings, wardrobe support, costume stock management, equipment maintenance, and costume lending. This position trains and supervises student employees while providing instruction in costume construction techniques and professional theater practices, supervises graduate students teaching costume technology courses, and works collaboratively with the Theater Department faculty, directors, designers, staff, and students to support the educational and artistic mission of the Department. The position requires considerable independent judgment, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to student learning and success. In addition to the duties as Costume Shop Manager, this position is devoted to teaching and curriculum development in costume technology. This Lecturer teaches approximately one costume technology course per semester and is expected to develop a rotating repertory of costume technology courses, which may include areas such as draping, pattern making, basic tailoring, and other foundational costume construction and craft practices. These courses rotate through the curriculum in response to departmental and interdisciplinary curricular needs, supporting students in Theater, Fashion Design, Fashion Studies, and related disciplines. The strong candidate will be committed to a student-centered, mentorship-based approach to teaching and learning.   Essential Functions Work closely with designers to interpret designs and to actively participate in costume realization, including pattern drafting, draping, craft and construction, alterations, fittings, complex builds, and alterations.Manage daily shop operations in collaboration with the Assistant Costume Shop Manager, fostering an organized, accessible, collaborative, and inclusive environment that supports efficient work practices, student learning and professional development, and departmental commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.Ensure compliance with safety procedures and maintain a safe working environment.Manage costume production budgets, including planning, allocating, monitoring, and reconciling expenditures 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 courses, such as draping, patternmaking, etc. Revise course materials, assignments; evaluate student learning and provide constructive feedback; and collaborate with faculty and staff on curriculum development and interdisciplinary teaching opportunities in costume technology and related areas. Teach a 1-1 courseload.Participate in departmental governance and administrative activities related to the broader work of the Department of Theater.   Minimum Qualifications Master of Fine Arts or other terminal degree in Costume Technology, Costume Design, Fashion Design, or related field.Demonstrated professional experience in costume construction, draping, pattern drafting, fittings, and wardrobe management, with teaching experience in costume construction or costume technology at the secondary or collegiate level.Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills, with experience supervising employees, students, volunteers, or production crews.Experience managing theatre production costume budget, inventories, rentals, and shop operations.   Preferred Qualifications Experience with wigs, hair styling, and makeupDemonstrated 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.   Additional Details The Department of Theater produces high-caliber, artistic creations on stage, telling human stories that connect audiences and performers in our increasingly interconnected, complex world. We model and practice professional theater-making at every level of our teaching and production process. The Department offers a robust undergraduate program, with a BA major, minor, and a Multicultural Theater Certificate, as well as an evolving MFA program. Our productions are a laboratory for our students, and we nurture a strong commitment to community engagement and participation.This position is subject to final budgetary and administrative approval.   Working Conditions Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.   Salary Information The University expects to pay within an approximate range between $65,550 and $81,000 for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This position is a 9-month academic year appointment at 100% full-time equivalency with full benefits. Please note: The low end of this range is based on the minimum salary for the rank included in the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Massachusetts Society of Professors, UMass Amherst/MTA/NEA. The high-end of the pay range reflects an increase above the median salaries at this rank within the department for faculty who may have multiple years of faculty experience. The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on consideration of all relevant factors, including faculty rank and required relevant certifications, when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.   Special Instructions for Applicants Please upload your cover letter, resume and/or curriculum vitae, a portfolio that presents broad costume technology capability, along with a completed application and contact information for 3 professional references who are willing to provide letters of reference upon request.Please address your cover letter to the Chair of the Search Committee discussing your interest in the position, teaching philosophy, ability to contribute meaningfully to the present and future activities of the Department of Theater, and how your work as teacher, artist, academic citizen and public servant would further the university’s values and goals as outlined in the university’s strategic plan. You can find these values and goals in our strategic plan here: https://www.umass.edu/strategicplan/strategic-plan.The position will remain posted until filled. Review of applications will begin on November 30, 2026. Applications received after this date may not be reviewed.Applicants must be work authorized for employment in the United States on a full-time basis.If you have questions about this position, please contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Professor Yao Chen via email at yao@umass.edu.   This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.