Venue Design Consultant

Thank you for your interest in Charcoalblue!

We are seeking a Venue Design Consultant to join our talented Theatre Consulting team.

We are open to applications from candidates at both Consultant and Senior Consultant level, with the scope, level of responsibility and salary reflecting the successful candidate’s experience, skills and professional development.

At Consultant level, you will work closely with experienced designers and team leaders to develop your venue design skills and take increasing ownership of project work and deliverables.

At Senior Consultant level, you will be expected to bring a strong track record of design and project delivery, take greater ownership of design and client relationships, and provide guidance and support to less experienced members of the team.

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:

1. Why do you consider yourself to be a suitable person for the post and what you would like from the job?
2. Which of your previous experience would you highlight as being particularly relevant? Please highlight any design experience for performance buildings.
3. Describe your experience of designing performing arts spaces and how familiar (or not) you are with the RIBA architectural design stages.
4. Describe your experience and competency using CAD and other drawing tools including Revit.
5. Please highlight the elements of the role requirement where you may need more support in your role.
6. What are your salary expectations in line with experience?

We look forward to receiving your application and expect to interview in September 2026. We will only accept applications via our online system. 

Interviews will either be held remotely (via Microsoft Teams) - time, date and location will be confirmed for shortlisted candidates.  

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE

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 key 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. We are privileged to work with high-profile clients, and alongside some of the most renowned architects in the world, on projects across various sectors, scales and geographies. You will be delivering 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 Leadership team, 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, tailored training and ongoing support to help you succeed. We actively foster a supportive and collaborative working environment which promotes independent work and ownership, alongside continuous support and communication with the wider Charcoalblue team. You will be working across a number of projects, varying in scale, typology and designs stages, and you will be encouraged to manage your own design, project work and deliverables. We encourage individuality of approach, creative thinking, and a proactive initiative involving your own discipline as well as the wider Charcoalblue team.

The role is anticipated to service projects based in EMEA, and occasionally Australia, working with project teams in both local and Australian time zones. You will also collaborate with the global Charcoalblue team to provide Theatre Design support on projects in the US and around the world, including online communication with Charcoalblue designers and external consultants in other time zones.

Key Responsibilities

• When required, produce, and present your own design proposals, spatial concepts, sketches, drawings, reports, specifications, schedules, budgets, and other information.
• Ensure the accessibility and sustainability standards 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.
• Be open to new ideas, technologies, communication, software and design tools, and proactively support innovation in our design work and practices.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to alteration over time as we develop the service.

Qualifications and Key Skills

We are open to receiving applications from candidates with a varied range of background and education. If you meet most of the qualifications below, we encourage you to apply.

ESSENTIAL

• A minimum of three (3) years of experience for consultant-level applicants and approximately seven (7) years of experience for a senior consultant-level applicants, working as a designer with a background in architecture, theatre design, theatre consulting, or similar experience in the construction or performing arts industries. We recognise that career paths and levels of responsibility vary and will consider candidates based on the depth and relevance of their experience, technical capability, project responsibility and professional development.

DESIRABLE

• 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, and a flexible, receptive, and adaptable listener and thinker 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.

For Senior Consultant-level applicants, the following additional experience or capabilities would be desirable:

• Demonstrated ability to lead or take ownership of design workstreams or projects, coordinating the work of internal and external team members
• Experience representing a consultancy or design practice independently with clients and wider project teams
• An understanding of the commercial aspects of project delivery
• Experience supporting, mentoring or providing guidance to less experienced colleagues
• Experience contributing to the development of a design discipline or practice, through knowledge sharing, design reviews, industry engagement, research, innovation or improvements to internal processes and resources.

What’s in it for you?

This is a permanent, full-time role with flexibility built in. You’ll be UK-based, working with flexible hours between 8am–8pm, Monday to Friday, and enjoy a hybrid setup with a minimum of 2 days per week working in one of our studios, balanced with studio collaboration, site visits, and project meetings.

• Ability to request an unlimited number of days off under our “Take What You Need” leave policy
• Studio closure over Christmas and New Years
• Annual company bonus scheme
• Pension auto‑enrolment
• Monthly live event tickets allowance to stay inspired by the industry we design for
• Home working contribution towards internet and utilities
• Private Health Insurance after two years for you and your dependants
• Laptop and peripherals provided
• Company mobile phone scheme

As you grow with Charcoalblue, so do your benefits – we’re in it for the long term.

Start Date

As soon as possible

Salary

The salary range for this role is £35,000 and £65,000 per annum for a 40-hour week. Please note the width of this range is representative of profiles both at a consultant and senior consultant level of experience. Final offers will be contingent on the candidate's professional experience, technical capability and professional responsibility.

Please state your salary expectations in your application in line with your experience.

Charcoalblue intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. Base pay is one part of the total rewards that Charcoalblue provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Charcoalblue provides a robust benefits package to help support you physically, financially, and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit our website’s careers page for more details.

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 Natalia Abril at natalia.abril@charcoalblue.com or via telephone at +44 (0)20 7928 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.