Summary
Joining English National Ballet, you will find a community of artists, musicians, theatre and costume craftspeople, creatives, business and administration professionals, all working together to achieve a common goal: to open up the possibilities of ballet, to move more people in more ways.
More Details
About the role
English National Ballet are looking for a Ballet Footwear Manager to support the busy schedule of a touring ballet company.
You’ll oversee the full provision of footwear for all dancers, artists and students performing with the company, from managing a full inventory and liaising large-scale orders from shoe suppliers, to carrying out alterations to shoes for the individual needs of each dancer and for the costume requirements of each performance.
The role combines first-class technical knowledge of ballet footwear with meticulous organisational skills in a key managerial role within English National Ballet’s technical department.
Your main responsibilities as Ballet Footwear Manager will include:
- Coordinate and manage an effective service for measurements, fittings and timely provision of ballet footwear for all dancers, artists, character artists and students rehearsing or performing with the Company
- Liaise with choreographers, designers, and wardrobe staff to meet artistic needs
- Prepare and finish pointe shoes to individual dancer specifications
- Dye, paint, and alter shoes to meet costume and design requirements
- Manage an efficient stock monitoring and distribution system, track stock levels, anticipate requirements, and ensure timely reordering
- As ENB is a touring company, be prepared to travel as needed and work evenings and weekends during performance weeks for any production requirements
Key Selection Criteria
- Experience in wardrobe, costume, or footwear management, preferably in ballet or performing arts with strong knowledge of requirements for pointe shoes, ballet footwear, and character/theatrical shoes
- Ability to prepare ballet footwear to specified design and production needs, including dyeing, painting, reinforcing, and sewing
- Experience in working to a production schedule, with good planning skills and the ability to assess own workload capacity including planning orders, deliveries, distribution and lead times needed
- Strong ability to maintain positive working relations with dancers, artists, team members, creatives, Artistic team members and stakeholders
- Good negotiation skills and ability to manage supplier relationships
Organisation
English National Ballet
Location Type
Specific location
Salary Type
Salaried
Salary (Exact)
£
Closing Date
05/01/2026
Contract Type
Full Time
Job Type
Backstage & Technical