This Application Pack Contains 2 Sections

IN CONFIDENCE – WARDROBE SUPERVISOR For Office Use Only

WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

This Application Pack contains 2 sections.

SECTION 1 Job description, terms and conditions, person specification and application guidelines (To be retained)

SECTION 2 Application form and equal opportunities form (To be submitted)

The closing date for applications is 18th June 2017. Late applications will not be considered.

WARDROBE SUPERVISOR

Background

The Lyric Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only full-time producing theatre.

Established in 1951, the Theatre was born when Mary and Pearse O’Malley transformed the back rooms of their house in Derryvolgie Avenue into a drama space. In the 1960s the scale of work expanded considerably and the Lyric Players became a non-profit making organisation with the aim of building a new theatre. In 1968, a new Lyric Theatre opened on Ridgeway Street on the banks of the River Lagan.

Over the next 50 years the Lyric established itself as Northern Ireland’s leading producing theatre, premiering the works of playwrights such as Stewart Parker, Martin Lynch, Marie Jones and Christina Reid. Their works were often performed by some of Northern Ireland’s finest performers, including Adrian Dunbar, Dan Gordon, Conleth Hill, Ciaran Hinds, Stella McCusker, Frances Tomelty and the Theatre’s patron, Liam Neeson.

In 1998 the Board of the Theatre took the decision to redevelop the then dilapidated building which struggled to provide adequate facilities for the more modern productions. After many years of lobbying, substantial grants were approved by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council and a major fundraising campaign was launched.

The new £18.1m state-of-the-art theatre opened its door on 1st May 2011 to critical acclaim, both for the architecture of the theatre itself and for the quality of the productions on the stage. Within its first three years of opening it collected 16 awards for the theatre and its work.

The new theatre includes the 390 seat Northern Bank Stage, the 124 seat flexible Naughton Studio and a modern rehearsal room; all enhanced with attractive hospitality spaces. Behind the scenes there are state-of-the-art dressing rooms, stage technical facilities, wardrobe department and spacious office accommodation.

Each year we produce between 9/10 full-scale productions, 2 of which run concurrently at Christmas. We also receive visiting work from touring companies, most of which plays in the Naughton Studio. In 2016/17 we staged 491 performances of 82 different productions across 2 stages. 63% of performances were of our own work or co-productions. We are the largest employer of theatre practitioners in Northern Ireland.

In recent years we have won 5 Irish Theatre Awards, have been voted NI’s most welcoming theatre, staged co-productions with the Abbey Theatre, Young Vic, Soho Theatre, The Tron Theatre and the Dublin Theatre Festival and toured to London, Glasgow, Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Letterkenny.

There are two full-time positions within the department. They are the Wardrobe Supervisor and the Wardrobe Assistant. Casual staff are contracted on a fixed terms basis when the work requires it.

For more information on the Lyric Theatre visit www.lyrictheatre.co.uk.

The Purpose of the Post

The Wardrobe Supervisor oversees the wardrobe requirements of all productions for Lyric Theatre as well as contributes to the planning of productions in the theatre. They are responsible for appointing, managing and developing the wardrobe teams in conjunction with the Production Manager as well as the management and welfare of the acting companies whilst in the wardrobe department. They will have management and development responsibility for the Wardrobe Assistant. They will be a highly organised individual with a strong work ethic, an enthusiastic a positive team leader and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines. They must equally be comfortable with the administrative responsibilities of the role as well as managing and contributing to the work of the team.

1. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.1 JOB TITLE

This title of this post is Wardrobe Supervisor.

1.2 LOCATION

The post is based at the administration offices at 55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast, BT9 5FB although the role will include working on location with schools and community groups. A mileage allowance will be paid.

1.3 PAY SCALE

The annual salary shall be the subject of negotiation and will be paid monthly in arrears.

1.4 CONTRACT

The position is permanent and full-time.

1.5 PROBATIONARY PERIOD

The appointment will commence with a probation period of six months which may be terminated at a month’s notice by either side during the period. During this time the organisation reserve the right to dismiss the employee for unsatisfactory performance without recourse to the disciplinary procedure.

1.6 ANNUAL LEAVE

5.6 weeks per annum to include days when the theatre might be closed e.g. bank or public holidays. Due to production demands it may be necessary to work on bank holidays for which a day in lieu will be given.

1.7 WORKING HOURS

The standard working week will be 43 hours over 6 days however due to the nature of this position a significant degree of flexibility is required from the post holder to meet the demands of the theatre’s production schedule.

Evening and weekend is an inherent part of this job.

1.8 DISCLOSURE

1.  If you are successful after shortlisting, depending on whether you will be working with children and/or vulnerable adults, you will be required to undergo an ACCESS NI check.

2.  If you are required to undergo an Access NI check, a copy of their Code of Practice will be made available to you.

3.  You will also be required to disclose any unspent criminal convictions as defined by The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups NI Order 2007 & The Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978. The Lyric theatre has a policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders which can also be made available to you.

4.  Disclosure of a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining the position within the Lyric theatre. You will, however, be asked to disclose if there is any reason why you cannot work in regulated activity with children or vulnerable adults.

1.9 CLOSING DATE

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 18th June 2017. The completed Application Form and Recruitment Monitoring form should be emailed to Cat.rice@lyrictheatre or returned in an envelope marked CONFIDENTIAL and addressed to:

The Monitoring Officer

Lyric Theatre

55 Ridgeway Street

BELFAST

BT9 5FB

Failure to complete and return the Application Form in accordance with the Guidance Notes contained on the reverse of the first page of the Application Form will result in your application being disqualified. Canvassing will disqualify. Late applications will not be considered.

Copies of this job application pack are available to download from www.lyrictheatre.co.uk on request from the Administration Assistant, Lyric Theatre, 55 Ridgeway Street, Belfast BT9 5FB and by email from .

1.10 SHORTLISTING

Only those applicants who appear, from the information provided, to be the most suitable in terms of the selection criteria may be called for interview. It is the applicant’s responsibility to demonstrate clearly on their application form how they satisfy the published selection criteria. It is essential that applicants provide evidence of how they meet the selection criteria, giving examples and specifying exact dates as appropriate. It is not sufficient to simply list the various posts that you have held. The selection panel cannot make assumptions as to your skills, knowledge and experience from the title of previous posts held.

All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

1.11 INTERVIEWS

It is proposed that interviews for this post will be held in the week commencing 26th June 2017.

2. JOB DESCRIPTION

2.1 REPORTING TO

Production Manager.

2.2 RESPONSIBLE FOR

·  Wardrobe Assistant

·  Casual wardrobe team (when appropriate)

The post holder will have responsibility for all aspects of the wardrobe teams as well as the management of the hours and welfare of any wardrobe contractual staff both in the main building at Ridgeway Street and on tour.

The Post holder will also be given the opportunity to design some shows to be agreed with the Executive Producer & Director.

2.3  MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Wardrobe Supervisor will manage all of the wardrobe activities for the Lyric Theatre which will include:

Wardrobe Management

·  planning staff requirements and making any necessary appointments to meet the needs of the theatre programme and production schedules within agreed budgets;

·  working closely with creative teams to realise their designs and compositions maximising the use of the theatre’s available resources;

·  planning and supervising all aspects of wardrobe activities including buying and manufacturing of costumes, the upkeep and maintenance of said costumes as well as taking part in the physical running of productions;

·  liaising with visiting companies or producers to ensure that visits to the Lyric are successfully supported, including the smooth get-in, running and get-out of shows and delivering a high standard of customer service;

·  authorising expenditure within agreed systems and budgets;

·  ensuring the effective running of all wardrobe facilities including the cutting room, laundry and costume stores.

·  working in conjunction with the Production Manager to co-ordinate any planned tours or transfers by the theatre;

·  In conjunction with the touring Technical Manager, and Stage manager overseeing the administration and welfare of both the acting company and wardrobe team whilst on tour;

·  Liaising with other departments in respect of maintenance of Theatre equipment e.g. Blacks, FOH whites etc.

Management

·  Developing and training the Wardrobe Assistant and any other staff/apprentices;

·  Promoting a commitment from the wardrobe team to high levels of technical excellence, flexibility and customer service;

·  Working with programming colleagues to schedule activities in both auditoria and any outside tours, transfers or site-specific projects;

·  Line managing and directing to the Wardrobe teams;

·  Contribute to the day to day running of the organisation and serve its long-term interests as a member of the Lyric’s management team;

·  Attending and contributing to production meeting and management meetings;

Health & Safety

·  contribute to the development of the health and safety policy and the development of safe and efficient systems of working;

·  keeping abreast of current developments in health and safety and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Theatre’s Health & Safety Policy;

·  ensuring the maintenance and safety of all working areas and implementing best practice across the department;

Commercial Activities

·  controlling and managing agreed budgets;

·  complying with all relevant legislation

·  Assisting in the supervision and delivery of conferences and other commercial lettings of the Theatre.

·  Assisting in the setting up of the Lyrics costume hire activities and subsequently managing the day to day running.

This list is for guidance only and is not exhaustive. The post holder will also be required to carry out other reasonable duties as required by the Executive Producer/Production Manager.

3. PERSON SPECIFICATION

3.1 ESSENTIAL

·  A minimum of 3 years’ practical experience of wardrobe within theatre and events including experience of leading a team;

·  Good organisational & administrative skills;

·  Good practical knowledge in specialist areas such as wig maintenance, dress-making, cutting and tailoring;

·  Able to multi-task, work calmly under pressure and meet tight deadlines consistently;

·  fitness and stamina to fulfil the requirements of the post and

·  Good communication skills.

3.2 DESIRABLE

·  Experience of touring both medium scale & small scale and internationally;

·  Experience of computer software including Word, Excel & Office;

·  Costume design experience;

·  Holding a valid driving licence and

·  Practical experience of make-up and/or wig making.

4. GUIDANCE NOTES

Please read carefully

Completing the Form

1.  You must complete all sections of the Application Form. Only pages 3 onwards of the Application Form will be made available to the selection panel.

2.  Please complete the form clearly and legibly, preferably in CAPITAL LETTERS or typescript.

3.  The personnel requirements for this post are set out in this Form. You must address all the requirements listed and demonstrate clearly how you meet each one.

4.  Do not exceed the space provided. We will not consider any attachments, CVs or other supplementary material.

Returning the Form

5.  The Application Form must be signed and dated

6.  The Application Form must be returned addressed to ‘The Monitoring Officer’

7.  Your completed Application Form must arrive by the stated closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.

8.  Information in support of your application will not be accepted after the closing date for receipt of applications.

9.  If you wish to submit your application via email, please return to

General

10.  Canvassing will disqualify.

11.  A candidate found to have given false information or wilfully to have suppressed any material fact will be liable to either disqualification or, if appointed, dismissal.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

12.  To demonstrate the Lyric Theatre’s commitment to equality of opportunity in employment we must monitor the community background of our employees and job applicants as required by the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989. Please complete and return the Monitoring Form attached. The Form will be detached on receipt and will not be seen by the short-listing panel.

SECTION 2

Personal Details

Surname Forename(s)

Title

Home Address:

Post Code

Home Tel No Mobile No.

Bus. Tel. No. Email

Assistance

Please provide us with information about any assistance or additional provision you require us to make to facilitate your attendance at interview.

Declaration

I hereby certify that all the information given by me in connection with this application is correct to the best of my knowledge, that all the questions relating to me have been accurately and fully answered and that I possess all the qualifications which I claim to hold.

Signed

Date

Details of secondary/grammar schools or technical college attended

Name of School/College / Address of School/College / Dates Attended
to
to
to

References