Senior Assistant- Tailoring in Lewes

25 January - 29 August 2027

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Assistant to join our Tailoring workroom on a part-time contract for the 2027 Festival.

You will produce costumes to the highest standards within set deadlines for all Glyndebourne productions for the 2027 Festival and support junior members of the team in their work.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

• Constructing, altering and finishing modern and period costumes to a high standard under direction of the Senior Cutter and Cutter, using excellent machine and hand sewing skills.
• Attending fittings with the Cutters 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 the Cutters and other senior members of the team.
• Learning and developing new skills whilst adhering to Glyndebourne workroom procedures.
• Cutting garment components and fabrics using Glyndebourne procedures as directed by cutters.
• 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 & Experience

Education & Training

• Degree or equivalent in Costume Construction / Tailoring/ Fashion.

Minimum Criteria

• Substantial professional experience in costume/fashion construction at a senior level minimum 7 yrs professional experience
• Demonstrable knowledge of tailoring practices, techniques and canvassing
• 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
• Provable knowledge of period costume
• Excellent 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
• Proven ability to work to tight deadlines under pressure

Desirable Criteria

• Good level of computer literacy with the ability to produce and record required documents
• Tact and diplomacy
• Good understanding of H&S in the workplace
• Experience of working in a Theatre Environment
• Experience of working through technical rehearsals
• A positive attitude to responding to notes from rehearsals

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 of work & Benefits

This is an hourly paid position. The current rate is £14.75 per hour.

This is a part-time position with the preferred hours of work being 31 per week Tuesday to Friday, however we would accept applications for 24 hours/ 3 days per week for the right candidate.

Overtime and possible weekend work may be requested with advance notice.

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:

• Subsidised dining at our onsite restaurants
• Discount at the Glyndebourne shop
• Staff events
• Corporate Gym memberships
• Free Pilates and Zumba classes
• Free tea and coffee
• Free on-site parking
• An onsite Physiotherapist
• Cost price electric car charging
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Long service awards
• 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.

Please apply by clicking ‘Apply Now;’ to submit your application. Candidates must be able to provide evidence of their right to work in the UK.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 22 November 2026. with interviews to be held in early December.

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 application. 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.

The Glyndebourne Festival (running from May to August), features a programme of six operas in its 1,200-seat opera house, attracting audiences from around the world. The Autumn Season (October to December) extends Glyndebourne’s reach, offering audiences the opportunity to experience fresh perspectives and new works in a dynamic and exploratory setting. Together, the Festival and Autumn Season welcome over 125,000 attendees annually, with many more engaging through online streaming and other digital platforms.

Remaining financially independent since its inception, Glyndebourne is a registered charity that relies on box office income, memberships, and donations to fund its operations. Committed to artistic excellence, audience development, and accessibility, Glyndebourne continues to expand the reach and appreciation of opera for all.