Head of Department - Costume Design
Posted 5 hours 50 minutes ago by NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL
Permanent
Full Time
Academic Jobs
Buckinghamshire, Beaconsfield, United Kingdom, HP9 1LG
Job Description
Full time (35 hours a week), salary in the region of £65,000 per annum, depending on experience
The National Film and Television School (NFTS)
Beaconsfield
Shape a new department at a school entering its most exciting chapter
First established in 1971, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) has evolved into one of the world's leading institutions for film, television and games. Consistently named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top international film schools, the NFTS is the UK's premier training ground for creative talent, and right now, it is in the middle of its most ambitious expansion in its history.
Backed by £10 million in government funding and a growing community of world-class supporters (including Netflix, the Walt Disney Company, Sky, Channel 4, ITV, Prime Video and All3Media) the NFTS is expanding its campus, increasing student capacity by 25%, and launching bold new courses in costume design, hair and make-up, virtual production and advanced animation. Construction is now underway on The Cubby Broccoli Building, a spacious new facility named in honour of the legendary Bond producer and due to open to students in January 2027. The building will be home to the school's new Costume Department and others.
A new department, a defining moment
The new MFA in Costume Design for Film and Television is one of the exciting new courses of this expansion, and a direct response to industry demand for highly skilled costume designers and supervisors. This practice-led, two-year full-time MFA will prepare students for professional work at the highest level of film and high-end television. Working closely with directors, producers, cinematographers and production designers on live NFTS productions, students will develop advanced craft skills, creative authorship, and the leadership required to run costume departments on complex productions. They will graduate with a professional portfolio, two substantial realised garments, structured industry work experience, and a practice-based dissertation.
About the role
We are seeking an outstanding screen costume professional to lead this new department from the ground up. As Head of Department, you will shape the curriculum, build the team, forge industry relationships, and create the culture of a brand new area of provision within one of the world's most respected film schools. This is a rare opportunity to build something genuinely new, in a moment of genuine institutional momentum.
About you
You will be an experienced costume designer with a strong track record in film and/or high-end television, and a passion for developing the next generation of talent.
For further information about this role and details of how to apply, please visit
Closing date for applications: Sunday 10th May 2026
At the NFTS, people are at the heart of what we do. We're an inclusive employer and are committed to equality of opportunity and building a culturally diverse workforce. We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and to increasing our representation of staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to: Director, NFTS
The Head of Department will lead the NFTS MFA in Costume Design for Film and Television. This course is a practice-led, two-year full-time programme that prepares students for professional work as costume designers in film and high-end television. The course attracts talented students and leading contributors from the UK and internationally, and is designed to develop advanced craft skills, design leadership, and the production confidence required to lead costume departments at the highest level.
MFA - Costume Design For Film and Television
Purpose of role:
The Head of Department provides academic and professional leadership for the Costume Design MFA, ensuring it remains rigorous, industry-relevant, and at the forefront of screen costume practice. The role combines hands-on teaching and studio supervision with curriculum ownership, student support, budget oversight, and active engagement with the school's wider academic community and external industry partners. This is a role for someone who brings both significant industry credibility as a costume designer and a genuine commitment to nurturing the next generation of screen costume talent; people who can lead departments with authority, creativity, and professional confidence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Teaching
This role requires an experienced screen costume professional with a strong track record as a costume designer in film and/or high-end television, who is committed to developing the next generation of industry-ready designers.
The course attracts talented students and leading contributors from across the UK and around the world. Leading the programme therefore requires a genuine passion for diverse perspectives and for helping individual creative voices to flourish within the discipline of screen costume.
A key part of the role is supporting students to develop not only advanced technical and design skills, but also the leadership capabilities, professional confidence, and industry understanding needed to take on head-of-department responsibilities in complex production environments.
During their time at the NFTS, students work on live productions, complete substantial realised garments, undertake industry work experience, and develop a practice-based dissertation. Supporting this breadth of development often requires a significant investment of time and individual attention from the Head of Department.
Our graduates are expected to enter the industry with strong portfolios, production experience, and the authority and ambition to progress into leading roles in screen costume design.
The National Film and Television School (NFTS)
Beaconsfield
Shape a new department at a school entering its most exciting chapter
First established in 1971, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) has evolved into one of the world's leading institutions for film, television and games. Consistently named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the top international film schools, the NFTS is the UK's premier training ground for creative talent, and right now, it is in the middle of its most ambitious expansion in its history.
Backed by £10 million in government funding and a growing community of world-class supporters (including Netflix, the Walt Disney Company, Sky, Channel 4, ITV, Prime Video and All3Media) the NFTS is expanding its campus, increasing student capacity by 25%, and launching bold new courses in costume design, hair and make-up, virtual production and advanced animation. Construction is now underway on The Cubby Broccoli Building, a spacious new facility named in honour of the legendary Bond producer and due to open to students in January 2027. The building will be home to the school's new Costume Department and others.
A new department, a defining moment
The new MFA in Costume Design for Film and Television is one of the exciting new courses of this expansion, and a direct response to industry demand for highly skilled costume designers and supervisors. This practice-led, two-year full-time MFA will prepare students for professional work at the highest level of film and high-end television. Working closely with directors, producers, cinematographers and production designers on live NFTS productions, students will develop advanced craft skills, creative authorship, and the leadership required to run costume departments on complex productions. They will graduate with a professional portfolio, two substantial realised garments, structured industry work experience, and a practice-based dissertation.
About the role
We are seeking an outstanding screen costume professional to lead this new department from the ground up. As Head of Department, you will shape the curriculum, build the team, forge industry relationships, and create the culture of a brand new area of provision within one of the world's most respected film schools. This is a rare opportunity to build something genuinely new, in a moment of genuine institutional momentum.
About you
You will be an experienced costume designer with a strong track record in film and/or high-end television, and a passion for developing the next generation of talent.
For further information about this role and details of how to apply, please visit
Closing date for applications: Sunday 10th May 2026
At the NFTS, people are at the heart of what we do. We're an inclusive employer and are committed to equality of opportunity and building a culturally diverse workforce. We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation and to increasing our representation of staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to: Director, NFTS
The Head of Department will lead the NFTS MFA in Costume Design for Film and Television. This course is a practice-led, two-year full-time programme that prepares students for professional work as costume designers in film and high-end television. The course attracts talented students and leading contributors from the UK and internationally, and is designed to develop advanced craft skills, design leadership, and the production confidence required to lead costume departments at the highest level.
MFA - Costume Design For Film and Television
Purpose of role:
The Head of Department provides academic and professional leadership for the Costume Design MFA, ensuring it remains rigorous, industry-relevant, and at the forefront of screen costume practice. The role combines hands-on teaching and studio supervision with curriculum ownership, student support, budget oversight, and active engagement with the school's wider academic community and external industry partners. This is a role for someone who brings both significant industry credibility as a costume designer and a genuine commitment to nurturing the next generation of screen costume talent; people who can lead departments with authority, creativity, and professional confidence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership and Teaching
- Lead and teach on the MFA course in Costume Design, delivering sessions across core subject areas and providing one-to-one tutorial support to students.
- Oversee the teaching programme as a whole, including the scheduling and quality of specialist teaching by visiting tutors and other staff.
- Monitor and review each student's progress, attending review meetings and providing rigorous, constructive feedback at every stage of their course.
- Support students in developing the judgement, confidence, and authority required to lead costume departments on complex screen productions.
- Play a leading role in preparing students for life after the school, equipping them with the networks, skills, and confidence to achieve their intended career destinations.
- Take ownership of ongoing curriculum review and development, ensuring the course remains current, industry-relevant, and intellectually demanding.
- Maintain and develop a roster of visiting tutors, keeping records up to date and planning course schedules and activities to a high standard.
- Contribute to student selection processes, including interviews or application review, to ensure the school attracts talented and motivated participants.
- Engage proactively with colleagues across other NFTS departments to develop shared teaching, workshops, and cross-course initiatives that benefit students.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with industry partners, ensuring the department works collaboratively with the screen sector to create opportunities, relevance, and real-world engagement for students.
- Represent the department positively within the school and beyond, fostering a culture of collaboration, ambition, and mutual respect.
- Work proactively with the school's Marketing team to promote the course effectively, representing the course at open days, outreach events, taster days, and other recruitment activities.
- Act as an ambassador for the course, and the NFTS, to prospective students, industry partners, and the wider creative and academic communities.
- Review and manage the departmental budget in collaboration with the school Management Accountant, maintaining responsible budgetary control within agreed limits.
- Carry out associated administrative tasks in a timely and organised manner, consistent with the smooth running of the course.
- Take responsibility for the Health and Safety of all persons engaged in Department activities, including students, staff, tutors, suppliers and volunteers, and report any H&S matters arising in your department to the Management Team and H&S Manager as required/appropriate
- Working with the Curriculum Coordinator, ensure that all persons engaged by the Department are H&S competent as persons who will be working with and may be responsible for students as young persons
- Ensure that a Risk Assessment is carried out, approved and implemented in any project or workshops. Tasks may be delegated to staff/tutors, however the duty to ensure compliance remains with the Head of Department and it is the Head of Department's responsibility to approve Risk Assessments
This role requires an experienced screen costume professional with a strong track record as a costume designer in film and/or high-end television, who is committed to developing the next generation of industry-ready designers.
The course attracts talented students and leading contributors from across the UK and around the world. Leading the programme therefore requires a genuine passion for diverse perspectives and for helping individual creative voices to flourish within the discipline of screen costume.
A key part of the role is supporting students to develop not only advanced technical and design skills, but also the leadership capabilities, professional confidence, and industry understanding needed to take on head-of-department responsibilities in complex production environments.
During their time at the NFTS, students work on live productions, complete substantial realised garments, undertake industry work experience, and develop a practice-based dissertation. Supporting this breadth of development often requires a significant investment of time and individual attention from the Head of Department.
Our graduates are expected to enter the industry with strong portfolios, production experience, and the authority and ambition to progress into leading roles in screen costume design.