Thank you for your interest in Charcoalblue.

We are seeking a Theatre Design Consultant to join our talented team. To apply, please complete the online application form and submit a short cover letter (1-2 pages max) addressing the questions below:

1. What makes you a great fit for this role, and what are you hoping to gain from the opportunity?     
2. What of your previous professional or educational experience would you highlight as being particularly relevant to this role?
3. Describe your level of experience and competency using BIM & CAD software, other visual software for designing and documentation, as well as comfort using hand sketching or drawing to illustrate a design intent.
4. Tell us about a performance venue you consider to be highly successful as a place for performance and human interaction.      

We look forward to receiving your application.?We will only accept applications via our online system.?

Interviews will be conducted either remotely (via Microsoft Teams) or in person at our New York Studio, starting in January 2026. The time, date, and location will be confirmed for shortlisted candidates.??

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE
We are seeking a candidate to join our global Theatre Consulting team as a Theatre/Venue Design Consultant.

You will be responsible for building planning and auditorium design, creating functional and inspiring spaces where the performing arts and other events can thrive. Depending on the project’s scope you will be responsible for originating documents such as building area schedules and sketch diagrams of spaces, as well as creating and delivering presentations ranging from space precedents to construction phasing concepts.

You will report to one of our Directors or Associate Directors, meeting regularly with your line manager 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES   

• Develop initial auditorium concept and design establishing the form  function and identity, to include audience and performer egress. Create seating layouts, seating design, and detailed sightline studies.
• Be a key point of design synthesis for multiple internal team members, including technical systems designers and acousticians.
• Be a key point of design contact and coordination and collaboration with project architects, including reviewing and commenting on architectural and engineering drawings, reviewing construction progress on-site, and performing measurements and punch listing for the commissioning of seating systems.
• Create and present design presentations, written reports, 2D and 3D drawings and sketches, and written specifications to document and communicate your design work.
• Ensure that the demands of your projects are met and delivered to a high standard of quality.
• Work within multiple project teams simultaneously while meeting deadlines, arranging your calendar, and balancing project deliverables as they occur.
• Project travel to meetings as well as construction site attendance will also be required for located throughout North America.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to alteration over time.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY SKILLS
We value diverse experiences and educational backgrounds. If you meet most of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply. At Charcoalblue, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.

Essential

• Ability to express design ideas through hand or computer-generated sketches. 
• Experience in creating reports and presentations, including proven ability to lay out text, photographs, and drawings (using Microsoft Office/InDesign/Adobe or a similar package).
• Excellent visual assessment and communication skills, including the ability to conceptualize and communicate three-dimensional ideas in 2D media.
• Experience with communicating effectively with people at varying levels within an organization.
• A proactive and imaginative approach to finding solutions which meet the constraints of a given project.
• Confidence in presenting and discussing ideas, both in internal and external meetings.
• Ability to factor knowledge of theatre and venue operations into your design work to create venues, front of house, and back of house spaces where artistic, functional, and audience needs combine  .

Desirable

• Knowledge of contractual issues and the AIA project stages and associated levels of work output.
• Excellent drafting skills in both 2D and 3D; an ability to demonstrate competent rendering and visualization skills.  
• Experience with Autodesk Revit and BIM documentation. 
• Some experience with creating and navigating VR models and experiences for design visualization.
• Experience in the design of other theatre building elements, including rigging and staging, stage lighting, audiovisual, and/or acoustic design elements.
• Basic knowledge of the technical systems of a performance venue including lighting, rigging and/or AV systems and an awareness of good backstage architectural planning, environmental and acoustical design parameters.  
• Demonstrated understanding of, or capacity to learn and apply, relevant local and state building codes and safety legislation in design work.
• Ability to assess sightlines and audience accommodation concepts in all public areas of a venue.

Interpersonal Skills

• Highly organized, excellent time management skills, and reliable.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Adept at multi-tasking.
• Able to work calmly under pressure.
• Friendly and professional manners.
• Ability to work successfully on your own initiative, as well as part of a local and global team.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing business needs.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a diverse workload, sometimes in a pressured environment.
• Ability to meet deadlines, as well as maintain both perspective and a sense of humor.

About Charcoalblue

Charcoalblue was established in the heart of the UK theatre industry in 2004. Since then, we have carved out a reputation as the world's leading integrated Theatre, Acoustic and Experience Consultancy service. We now operate as a cohesive and collaborative team across six international studios in the UK, USA and Australia, delivering projects to every corner of the globe.

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