Costume Shop Manager

COSTUME SHOP MANAGER

OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE

Updated 4/11/2025

At Old Sturbridge Village, historical clothing is more than a uniform — it is one of the most visible expressions of our mission. We are seeking a Costume Shop Manager to lead this crucial work: the hands that keep living history alive. OSV’s Costume Shop manages, maintains, and improves the historical clothing and uniforms throughout the museum. Our dress is a key component to the immersive programs we offer. Our historic clothing, sometimes referred to as “costume,” is based on artifacts from the OSV Collection, artifacts from other museums, and handwork advice books of the early 19th century. This position will oversee the purchasing of fabrics and sewing supplies, the fitting of staff for historical clothing, the production of clothing, and the maintenance of clothing pieces. The Historical Clothing Department issues clothing to Discovery Adventure participants, High S Interns, College Interns, Fellows, Volunteers, and Staff, as well as outside groups for special events, filming projects, and special programs — encompassing 500+ individuals. As a part of the Interpretation division of the museum, this person will also occasionally work directly with our public audience through interpretation, tours, talks, and small workshops.

Within the Department of Interpretation, the Costume Shop Manager and works closely with the Collections Manager and Program Coordinators. This position will oversee one Assistant Manager, historical clothing fellow, volunteers, and college and Old Sturbridge Academy internsand will coordinate work with outside contractors, such as dressmakers and dry cleaners.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A) or equivalent combination of education and experience in a clothing related field.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in clothing construction with an emphasis on historical methods, including pattern making, machine sewing, and hand sewing.
• One year or more experience managing, training and mentoring staff & volunteers.
• Proven ability to manage a detail-oriented program including, but not limited to, day-to-day managing, creating budgets, buying and organizing supplies, production of historical clothing, care and upkeep of historical clothing, plus seasonal activities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences. Education experience is a plus.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the Village’s Historical Clothing Department, including day-to-day management of paid staff, volunteers, and fellows. Oversee the development, production, and upkeep of all Historical Clothing for Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) and Coggeshall Farm Museum (CFM).
• Work closely with Collections and Research Department and program staff to review and improve the historical clothing in use at OSV and CFM.

• Manage an annual budget for all costs associated with the operation of the Historical Clothing Department.
• Work with leaders in the program division to create opportunities for Historical Clothing to be used effectively as a teaching tool.
• Work directly with Museum Education to plan, develop, and implement immersive educational programs for Old Sturbridge Academy.

• Serve as an active ambassador and advocate for OSV & CFM’s Historical Clothing program both within the museum and externally. Develop innovative programming focused on historical clothing to draw new visitors to both OSV and CFM.

• Plan, assign, and direct work; assess effectiveness of programs and staff.
• Year-to-year responsibilities include recruiting, training, and mentoring staff, annually conducting performance appraisals, and participating in staff calibration sessions.
• Plan, organize, lead, and/or participate in all special events and work with OSV’s Marketing Department to promote programs.
• Successfully balance face-to-face communication with use of technology in order to ensure clarity of communication with colleagues.
• Understand, identify and appropriately respond to the multiple learning styles of a diverse audience that includes students, families and other life-long learners; actively engage these audiences using a range of techniques including hands-on, participation, tours, demonstration, lecture and others.
• Preserve the historic buildings, gardens, landscapes, artifacts and reproductions in OSV and CFM by caring for them properly.
• Ensure the safety, security and cleanliness of work areas; Safeguard visitors and staff by being alert to foreseeable health and safety hazards.
• Understand and observe all OSV policies and federal, state, and local laws.
• Work evening programs such as but not limited to Halloween and Christmas programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proven knowledge and passion for the subject and activities of historical clothing.
• Ability to establish own work plan and priorities, using established procedures to assure timely completion of assigned work in conformance with departmental policies and practices; problems lacking clear precedent are reviewed with supervisor prior to taking action.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk and hear, and occasionally to be outside for periods of time. The employee is regularly required to use hands to handle, feel, and perform detailed work; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, manage and motivate a diverse workforce.
• Be honest, reliable, and demonstrate a passionate commitment to the public program/education field.
• Attention to detail, organization, quality of guest experience and customer service.
• Have the ability to communicate ideas and information clearly both verbally and in written format.
• Strive to build and maintain productive and respectful relationships with all team members and guests.
• Must be a team player and flexible to assist in other divisions when the need arises.
• Effective problem solver – anticipating, preventing and managing issues as they arise.
• Must be an effective listener and be able to understand and clarify concerns and issues.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear; occasional extended periods outdoors.
• Regularly required to use hands for detailed work including handling, feeling, and fine motor tasks; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must be able to work some weekends, occasional evenings, early mornings, and holidays.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.

Individuals in this position are subject to a Criminal Conviction Record check upon hire and every other year thereafter.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $43,000-$52,000 per year

Benefits: Dental insurance; Employee assistance program; Employee discount; Flexible spending account; Health insurance; Life insurance; Paid time off; Retirement plan; Vision insurance

Work Location: In person