Location: Watford, London, UK | Email: Helena.a.rose29@gmail.com | 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helena-rose-59747946

Professional Summary

Innovative and results-driven creative leader with extensive experience in large-scale costume performance management, costume, puppet and creature fabrication across theatre, film, television, and themed entertainment. Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams of 60+, managing complex budgets exceeding £500,000, and delivering 30+ high-profile projects annually on time and under budget. Skilled at streamlining backstage operations, driving organisational change and balancing creative vision with operational goals. Passionate about fostering inclusive, high-performing teams and implementing data driven solutions that deliver measurable results.

Core Skills

Leadership & Management: Strategic planning, team development, stakeholder engagement, organisational change, DEI initiatives.

Project Delivery: Budgeting, scheduling, forecasting, vendor management, H&S compliance.

Creative Expertise: Puppet and creature fabrication (foam, plastazote, fur, fleece, sculpting, patterning, advanced sewing. Alterations, complex show-running, rapid repairs. 

Technical Skills: Excel, Tableau, Power BI - data analytics and reporting.

Key Strengths: Creative problem-solving, process improvement, attention to detail, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Professional Experience

Consultant | Manager | Creative Contributor

Freelance | Apr 2023 – Present, Sep 2004 – Sep 2011

  • Collaborate with studios, including Talk to the Hand Puppets and Chris Barlow Puppets and Creatures, on projects for companies including Legoland, CBeebies and LNER, ensuring creative intent and performer safety.

  • Contributed to advertising campaigns (LNER, Quorn), TV productions (Michael McIntyre’s Big Show), and films (Sonic the Hedgehog 3).

  • Maintain and prepare puppets for camera, ensuring durability and adherence to creative direction.

  • Deliver accurate project budgets and R&D solutions aligned with creative vision and stakeholder expectations.

Senior Costume Performance Manager

Royal Opera and Ballet | Nov 2020 – Apr 2023

Assistant Costume Performance Manager - Promoted

Royal Opera and Ballet | Sept 2018 - Nov 2020

Costume Performance Technician - Promoted

Royal Opera and Ballet | Aug 2016 – Sept 2018

  • Led a team of 60+, delivering 30+ major productions annually, under tight timelines with high artistic standards.

  • Oversaw £200k staffing and £300k+ production budgets annually, delivering 95% under budget.

  • Developed and implemented data-driven scheduling and budgeting systems, improving forecasting accuracy.

  • Led post-pandemic restructure, merging two teams with opposing working practices into a cohesive, high performing unit, despite 30% staff cuts.

  • Championed DEI initiatives, increasing team diversity by 40% and leading to 91.7% staff retention annually.

  • Coordinated international tours and global co-producer handovers, ensuring seamless costume operations globally.

Deputy Wardrobe Manager

Royal Shakespeare Company | Matilda the Musical | Aug 2015 – Aug 2016

Costume Assistant

Royal Shakespeare Company | Matilda the Musical | Sep 2011 – Aug 2015

  • Managed and mentored team of 8, ensuring seamless costume operations for West End productions.

  • Oversaw budgets, petty cash, and reporting ensuring compliance and accuracy.

  • Liaised between creative and technical teams to deliver fast responses to production changes.

Early Career Highlights

Head of Wardrobe: Calendar Girls National Tour, Regents Park Open Air Theatre (2 seasons), Johann Strauss Gala National Tour (4 seasons).
Deputy Head of Wardrobe: Flashdance National Tour, Polar Bears (Donmar Warehouse), Peter Pan (Kensington Gardens).

Education

University of Leeds — BA (Hons) Performance Design and Production, 2:1

Volunteering & Advocacy

  • Speaker at UK Parliament APPG for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers.

  • Campaigning for mental health policy change and systemic improvements.