Wardrobe Buyer Expression of Interest EOI

Wardrobe Buyer Expression of Interest (EOI)

About the Role

As Wardrobe Buyer youll play a pivotal role in bringing costume designs to life by sourcing highquality fabrics garments and accessories for both new and revival productions. Working closely with designers and the wider costume team youll interpret creative briefs offer expert advice on materials and ensure everything is procured efficiently and on budget. This role is perfect for someone who combines an indepth knowledge of costume history with strong supplier networks and a sharp eye for detail and quality.

This is a two year fixedterm contract.

Key Responsibilities

Interpret costume designs and advise on fabric and material choices balancing aesthetic vision with the practical needs of performers and performance conditions.

Proactively source document and maintain a thorough understanding of current and emerging suppliers materials and techniques used in costume production.

Select and purchase haberdashery art finishing materials fabrics and readymade costumes staying uptodate with the latest products and trends.

Place timely orders to ensure all materials arrive when needed avoiding production delays.

Oversee the delivery and distribution of items into the workroom and manage the return of goods where appropriate.

Process purchase orders and invoices accurately tracking and documenting all spending in line with company policies.

Maintain and update the fabric haberdashery and trims library.

Ensure fabric bibles are kept up to date in accordance with internal procedures.

About You

Advanced specialist knowledge of fabrics haberdashery garment construction and accessory sourcing.

Strong understanding of historical costume periods and their modern adaptations.

Proven ability to interpret creative design briefs and translate them into practical sourcing solutions.

Confident in using initiative and making decisions under pressure.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work closely with a wide range of costume and wardrobe team members.

Exceptional organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

About Opera Australia

Opera Australia (OA) is the nations premier opera company and one of its most important cultural institutions. With a rich history and a global reputation for artistic excellence OA presents over 500 performances each yearreaching more than 650000 people through opera musicals and concerts. Its productions span iconic venues such as the Sydney Opera House and Arts Centre Melbourne as well as regional centres across the country. OA is committed to artistic innovation national reach and cultural leadership. It nurtures Australian talent on and off the stage; collaborates with leading international and local companies and brings extraordinary stories to life through music and song. With a fulltime orchestra dedicated chorus and a highly skilled workforce OA is Australias largest performing arts employer and plays a vital role in Australias performing arts landscape and in the lives of audiences nationwide.

For more information about OA please visit

What we offer

As Australias National opera company we are committed to fostering a safe and collaborative environment for all. Our values are Curious Creative Collaborative Brave and Inclusive and we are dedicated to supporting OAs people both onstage and off.

Hybrid and flexible work environment

Strong diversity and inclusion priority

Generous Leave Policy including First Nations Cultural & Ceremonial Leave Cultural & Religious Holiday Leave Education Leave Womens Health Leave Gender Affirmation Leave and more

16 weeks paid Parental Leave and continued payments of superannuation if using Unpaid Parental Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted private health insurance

Access to salary packaging through SmartSalary

Discounted retail goods through our Swag Rewards platform and other affiliated businesses

Complimentary tickets to select Opera Australia shows

If this sounds like you then click Apply to send through your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on the 30 May 2025.

For any enquiries about this role please contact our People team at

Opera Australia recognises and acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands and waters across Australia on which we live perform and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise celebrate and respect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first storytellers who carry the cultural wisdom traditions and Dreaming of this ancient land.

Opera Australia is committed to enabling and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. Our team comes from all walks of life. We acknowledge that all individual differences life experiences selfexpression and talent represent our culture and reputation of Opera Australia. In recruiting for our team we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of education opinions culture ethnicity race sex gender identity and expression.