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Location
Bristol - Bristol, BST BS1 4EQ GB
London - London, LND SE1 8LJ GB (Primary)
Category
Design, Theatre Consulting
Job Type
Full-time, Permanent
Job Description
Thank you for your interest in Charcoalblue.
We are seeking a Venue Design Consultant to join our talented team.
As a Venue Design Consultant in the Theatre Consulting team, you will be instrumental in conceiving, guiding, and constructing some of the most amazing and creative venues for the performing arts across the world. Working with clients, architects, and consultants in a collaborative team structure, you will influence the design of a vast range of arts related building projects, all of which share a focus on innovative and inspired solutions to a client’s brief. Our Venue Design Consultants have a key role within that project team which starts in the early concept stages right through to completion and commissioning on site. Working closely with the team, you will be instrumental in defining our venues’ look and feel, shape, form, as well as architectural integration and functional planning of front of house, backstage and technical spaces.
As well as defining architectural and theatrical concepts, your responsibilities will also include technical auditorium design aspects such as sightlines, accessibility, code compliance, design coordination and seating design and specification. You will be expected to effectively communicate design ideas to clients and the wider design team using clear presentation skills and tools and produce supporting drawings and documentation. You will deliver high quality work in line with company standards and help motivate the entire design and construction team with good humour and passion for the performing arts.
You will report to one of our Theatre Consulting EMEA Associate Directors, who you will meet regularly to ensure you are fully supported in your role. Since theatre consultancy is a specialist field, we will provide role‑specific inductions and ongoing training to help you succeed.
The role is anticipated to service our EMEA and Australia based projects working with our external project teams in local and Australian time zones. However, it may also involve collaborating with the global Charcoalblue team to provide Theatre Design support on projects run from our international offices in the US, including coordination of communication with Charcoalblue designers and external consultants in other time zones through the use of video conferencing.
To apply please complete the online application form and submit a short CV (1-2 pages max.) and a cover letter addressing the below prompts:
* Why do you consider yourself to be a suitable person for the post and what you would like from the job?
* Which of your previous experience would you highlight as being particularly relevant? Please highlight any design experience for performance buildings.
* Describe your experience of designing performing arts spaces and how familiar (or not) you are with the RIBA architectural design stages.
* Describe your experience and competency using CAD and other drawing tools including Revit.
* Please highlight the elements of the role requirement where you may need more support in your role.
* What are your salary expectations in line with experience?
We look forward to receiving your application and expect to interview in December 2025. We will only accept applications via our online system.
Interviews will either be held in person at our London Studio, or remotely (via Microsoft Teams) -time, date and location will be confirmed for shortlisted candidates.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide venue design for projects, working alongside Charcoalblue’s experienced designers and team leaders.
* When required, produce, issue, and present your own design solutions, room developments, sketches, drawings, reports, specifications, schedules, budgets, and other information.
* Meet with clients to evaluate and discuss their needs for a project as they relate to theatre design (and beyond).
* Work with the external architectural and engineering team to optimize the theatrical requirements of the project ensuring a continuity of the project’s aesthetic aspirations whilst meeting technical requirements.
* Work with our designers to develop an understanding of local and international building codes and regulations.
* Ensure the accessibility of projects is meeting, if not exceeding, statutory requirements, in line with the ambitions of Charcoalblue.
* Work with our internal design team to present a holistic design solution, balancing all aspects of spatial quality, performance functionality, and budget.
* Participate in site visits for client workshops, architectural coordination, construction progress, commissioning and other purposes as required. This position will require occasional UK and international travel.
* When required, you will actively manage the delivery of auditorium seating design to client deadlines, which will involve management of Charcoalblue resources, client resources, and the work of appointed contractors.
* Ensure your projects are delivered on time, on scope, and on budget.
* Draft emails, presentations, reports, and budgets, as necessary with minimal administrative support, and attend meetings and site visits as required.
* Prioritise the requirements and changing needs of the projects assigned to you, with support from your line manager and project team.
* Contribute to the continual development of our internal design and technical resources.
* Discuss yours and others’ work and share ideas, experience and lessons learned with other designers at Charcoalblue.
* Be open to new ideas, technologies, communication, and design tools and proactively support innovation in our design work and practices.
* Occasional UK and international travel.
* Adhere and promote Charcoalblue Cultural Values.
ESSENTIAL
* Three years of experience working as a designer with a background in architecture, theatre design, theatre consulting, or similar experience, preferably in the construction or performing arts industries.
* CAD skills in both 2D and 3D, including rendering, visualization, and hand sketching.
* High level of IT literacy, including a good working knowledge of MS Office and Adobe Acrobat Suite.
DESIRABLE
* BIM and Revit experience.
* Experience in putting together reports, presentations and other visual material.
* Knowledge of relevant building health and safety legislation, and an understanding of all matters relating to the successful operation of venues.
* Knowledge of construction contractual issues and the RIBA Work Stages.
* An understanding of the holistic and operational needs of all building users, including staff, performers, and audiences.
* Understanding of the technical infrastructure of a performance venue is advantageous, including lighting, rigging, acoustics and/or AV systems.
* Knowledge of good backstage and front of house planning, seating and sightlines is highly advantageous, as well as an interest in environmental sustainability.
* You are personable, with an ability to adapt your communication style to liaise successfully with our global team, and ability to employ an awareness of local cultural nuances.
* You are a flexible, receptive, and adaptable listener and thinker with a proactive approach to finding solutions.
* Comfort in large meetings and able to present and discuss ideas.
* Self‑motivated with the ability to prioritize project demands and tasks.
* Bring good humour and a passion for the performing arts.
* Ability to work across multiple time zones.
Interpersonal Skills
* Strong organisational and time‑management skills, with a dependable and consistent approach.
* Careful and thorough, able to produce accurate work.
* Clear and confident communication skills, both in writing and speaking.
* Comfortable managing multiple responsibilities with support where needed.
* Able to maintain focus and use healthy coping strategies during busy periods.
* Approachable and respectful when working with others.
* Confident working independently and collaboratively within local and global teams.
* Open to learning and adapting to evolving business needs.
* Able to prioritise tasks and balance a varied workload.
* Able to meet agreed deadlines while taking care of personal wellbeing.
* Capable of managing basic budgeting and finance‑related tasks where required.
Take-What-You-Need (TWYN) Leave
Team members have no ‘cap’ on the number of days they wish to take in any one year. This means you can plan holiday or vacation time or request time when you need it, without the worry of running out of leave days. TWYN leave requests must follow policy guidelines and team members are encouraged to use a minimum of 20 days of annual leave minimum per annum (prorated in the first year and also prorated in a part‑time position), plus statutory Bank Holidays. Charcoalblue traditionally closes its studios between Christmas and New Year’s Day, resulting in an additional 4-5 discretionary paid vacation days each year.
BENEFITS
To support you in successful hybrid/distributed working, you will receive a laptop and any other associated IT peripherals required for the role upon you joining Charcoalblue. Following successful completion of your three‑month probationary period, you will be eligible to participate in our company benefits package, including:
* Charcoalblue’s annual bonus scheme, subject to the Partnership’s performance year on year.
* An allocation of live event tickets per month, offered to encourage you to immerse yourself in the live events industry as far as possible.
* A contribution to your home internet and home utilities to enable you to work from home effectively in line with our distributed working model.
* Upon successful completion of your second year, you will be eligible to join our Private Health Insurance plan, in line with our company policy.
Other benefits are accumulative as you progress with the company.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Charcoalblue is widely regarded as the most exciting and innovative theatre, acoustics, and experience consultancy in the world. We specialise in the performing arts, live entertainment, media, technology, education, experiential, hospitality, workplace and cultural sectors. We imagine, design, and deliver captivating spaces that entertain, educate, and transform individuals through collective experiences. Guided by listening, collaboration, and a passion for innovation, excellence, emotion, and theatricality, we strive to create extraordinary moments. Since our inception in the UK in 2004, Charcoalblue is now the largest organization of its kind, delivering projects to every corner of the globe. We operate as a cohesive and collaborative team with studios in London and Bristol in the UK, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco in the US, and Melbourne in Australia.
EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION OVERVIEW
We are committed to becoming an increasingly inclusive organization. We continuously work to eliminate unfair and discriminatory practices within the company while encouraging full and equal contributions from our diverse community. Our mission is to foster an inclusive ethos by creating a welcoming work environment across our global practice. We provide recruitment opportunities that are open to all and encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds to ensure our global team reflects the clients we collaborate with and the communities we serve. If you require this application in a different format or need support during the application process, please contact Jake Katz via email at jake.katz@charcoalblue.com or via telephone at +44 207 928 0000. If you have any questions about accessibility or how the role may accommodate your personal circumstances, please reach out.
Charcoalblue strives to provide an environment free from discrimination and is committed to ensuring that all clients and customers can access the services and products we offer, across our three regions. We believe that all individuals – employees and clients alike – are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity.
Salary range for this role is between £35,000 and £50,000 dependant on experience.
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