Costume Craft Project Lead in Cumnock

The Role:

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The King’s Foundation is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Costume Craft Programme Lead to support the delivery of the Costume Craft Programme — a fully funded, postgraduate-level opportunity developed in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios. Based at the Dumfries House Estate in East Ayrshire, this immersive programme equips students with technical and creative skills, alongside sustainability-led approaches, for careers in the screen and stage costume industry.

The post holder will take a strategic and operational role in the development and delivery of an industry-led, studio-based curriculum. They will lead on teaching costume construction techniques in response to professional briefs, including work on both individual costumes and crowd scenes. Working alongside a small team of staff and visiting tutors, the Costume Craft Programme Lead will ensure that the programme delivers exceptional technical training, fosters creativity, and embeds sustainability throughout.

They will support learners from diverse backgrounds to develop professional-level technical ability, creative confidence, and industry awareness, ensuring the programme reflects best practice in the screen and stage costume sector. They will also contribute to strategic planning, curriculum development, and industry engagement to ensure the programme remains relevant, innovative, and impactful.

Key Tasks

Specific Duties will include:

• Deliver high-quality technical tuition in specialist costume disciplines, including period and contemporary pattern cutting, tailored garment construction, professional sewing techniques, costume fitting and alterations, and finishing methods for screen, stage, and live performance.
• Support students in developing confidence with industrial equipment and small-batch production methods, ensuring precision and professional standards across all work.
• Embed broader learning themes such as sustainable costume practices, working with natural fibres, and preserving craft heritage through traditional construction and embellishment techniques, delivered through tutorials, critiques, and peer-led reviews that promote collaborative and reflective learning.
• Guide and mentor students during self-directed sessions, helping them develop time management, self-evaluation, and the ability to meet programme expectations, while assisting in preparations for guest tutor visits, film/TV project briefs, and final project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities - Programme Delivery

• Contribute to the planning, delivery, and coordination of timetabled workshops and studio activities.
• Ensure all workshop activity aligns with the ethos of The King’s Foundation and the programme’s values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and excellence.
• Collaborate with the project manager and curriculum team to support the development of new content and delivery strategies.
• Manage the timetabling of workshops, resources and mentor sessions with industry professionals.
• Maintain a safe and inspiring learning environment and ensure all necessary materials, tools, and resources are well managed.

Person Specification

The essential skills, knowledge and experience required are:

• Degree-level qualification in Costume, Textiles, Theatre Design, or a related subject, or equivalent, up-to-date industry experience in film, TV, theatre, or live events.
• Strong knowledge of the education and training landscape, including, further/higher education, and alternative pathways into costume careers.
• Proven project management skills, with experience overseeing multiple creative projects, delivering educational or apprenticeship programmes, and managing staff or freelance teams.
• In-depth understanding of sustainability principles and their application within the costume sector.
• Established professional network within the costume, film/TV, and theatre industries.
• Understanding of and support for the ethos and principles underlying The King’s Foundation and Harmony Education.
• Ability to perform under pressure, adapt to shifting priorities, and consistently deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the UK, if required.
• Confident, innovative leader with excellent organisational skills and the ability to work independently.

Other:

• The post will be based at Dumfries House, Cumnock, KA18 2NJ with the requirement to travel on occasion.
• Your working hours will be 37.5 hours per week (which will include evening and weekend working as required to meet the needs of the centre).
• You must have the legal right to work in the UK.
• This post is considered to be a regulated activity therefore any offer will be subject to a satisfactory disclosure check with the Disclosure Scotland.
• Applications: Please submit a cover letter and CV (please note one A4 page maximum each for CV and letter) to Gordon Watson, email address: - hr.recruitment@kings-foundation.org and request an application form.
• Closing date for applications: Monday 22nd September 2025 at 5pm. We aim to conduct interviews in person at Dumfries House on Tuesday 7th October 2025.