February - August 2026
We are currently recruiting for a Senior Assistant to produce modern and period costumes in our Tailoring workroom for the 2026 Festival.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
* Constructing, altering and finishing modern and period costumes to a high standard under direction of senior staff, using excellent machine and hand sewing skills.
* Attending fittings with senior staff and taking notes as required.
* Working to deadlines for scheduled fittings and rehearsals
* To make logical decisions with regard to your designated tasks in consultation with senior staff
* Learning and developing new skills whilst adhering to Glyndebourne workroom procedures.
* Cutting garment components and fabrics using Glyndebourne procedures as directed by senior staff.
* Supporting and guiding less experienced and new staff in Glyndebourne working procedures.
* Maintaining tidiness of stock, workroom and equipment. Ordering stock and collating relevant information as directed.
* Overseeing the collection and storage of all remnants and fabric lengths for the stock and running productions.
* Maintaining safe workroom practices and reporting issues to the Cutters as soon as they arise.
* 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
Education and Training
* Degree or equivalent in Costume / Tailoring/ Fashion.
Minimum Criteria
* Substantial professional experience in costume/fashion construction at a senior level
* Excellent time management and organisational skills
* An understanding of workroom procedures involving a large team
* Excellent skills in costume construction using machine and hand sewing techniques with ability to work with minimum supervision to a very high standard.
* Clear written and verbal communication skills
* An excellent knowledge of period costume
* Sound knowledge of fabrics and haberdashery
* Advanced knowledge of sewing machine maintenance.
* Flexible and adaptable approach to work
* Excellent knowledge of costume terminology and methods of construction
Desirable Criteria
* An excellent knowledge of period costume.
* Good level of computer literacy with the ability to produce and record required documents
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 £14.32 per hour/ £558.48 per week (Grade 3)
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
* Cost price 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 apply by clicking Apply Now to complete our application form.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 26 October 2025 with interviews to take place at Glyndebourne 12 - 14 November 2025.
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