Design Manager

Charcoalblue

Experience Consultant managing design and delivery of event, executive briefing, and collaboration spaces for Charcoalblue, a theatre and experience consultancy. Translating client visions into briefs, journeys, documentation, and stakeholder-aligned design guidance.

Posted 8/5/2026full-timeNew York City • Illinois, New York • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $75,000 - $110,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in event management, design, and construction of experiential spaces, with strong skills in client representation and communication. Capable of synthesizing complex information into compelling presentations while managing multiple projects effectively.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Event ManagementDesign ManagementClient RepresentationExperiential DesignConstruction Drawings

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Architectural DesignVisual CommunicationWritten CommunicationVerbal CommunicationProject ManagementAIA Design StagesBuilding Systems UnderstandingDetail-Oriented PlanningUser Journey AnalysisStrategic Visioning

Soft Skills

CollaborationLeadershipFlexibilityAdaptabilityRelationship Building

Certifications & Qualifications

Degree in ArchitectureDegree in Interior DesignDegree in Venue Design

Industry Keywords

Experiential SpacesPerforming ArtsEvent Space BuildingsExecutive Briefing CentersHospitality and Leisure

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide subject matter expertise and design guidance for events and experiences spaces
Ensure event, collaboration, and executive briefing venues, activations, and support spaces are optimized for guest and user experience
Develop client requirements documentation and architectural design briefs, including operational considerations and program constraints
Develop, document, analyze, and present user journey and strategic visioning studies
Deliver and maintain progress reports and presentations for stakeholders and partners using written and drawn documentation
Act as a key point of contact between client stakeholders, project managers, and design teams
Collaborate with clients and external partners while balancing diverse team priorities
Develop design standards and guidance with the wider team
Participate in design team and project meetings, providing subject matter expertise while considering schedule and cost
Represent Charcoalblue professionally with clients and collaborators
Improve collaboration and communication with clients and develop innovative approaches for portfolios of spaces

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in event management and operations, or design and construction of spaces related to performing arts, events, executive briefing centers, experiential design, or hospitality and leisure
Ability to read construction drawings and specifications
Professional interest in construction projects
Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in design management or client representation relating to events or experiential spaces (desirable)
Formal qualification or degree in architecture, interior design, venue design, or related field (desirable)
Skilled in visual, written, and verbal communication of design issues
Practical understanding of AIA design stages and information requirements at each stage
Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, visually compelling presentations
Experience in experiential design, executive briefing programs, theatre, performing arts, or event space buildings
Proven vision, leadership, and strategic skills
Understanding of construction terminology, building systems, and project sequence/timing
Ability to help steer decision-making and process information
Ability to work collaboratively and at a fast pace with self-motivation and initiative
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Detail-oriented planning and execution across multiple project phases with little direct supervision
Informed design sensibility and curious, open approach to design
Ability to work calmly under pressure
Flexibility and adaptability to changing business needs
Ability to build relationships with colleagues, clients, vendors, stakeholders, and management
Availability for daily meetings during Eastern Time Zone business hours
Must be based in the New York or Chicago metro area
Ability and willingness to travel to external meetings and US studios, with occasional international project or team-building travel
Cover letter and online application required, including responses to specified experience prompts and work samples/links
Role is non-exempt, 40 hours per week, with a three-month probationary period

Benefits

Comp & perks

Take-What-You-Need (TWYN) Leave with no cap on the number of days
Encouraged minimum of 15 days of paid time off per year, prorated in the first year
Federal and some local public holidays
Additional 4–5 discretionary paid vacation days during the annual Christmas/New Year studio closure
Laptop and associated IT peripherals
Contributions toward home internet and utilities
401K plan; employee contributions immediately, employer contributions after two years of service
Life insurance cover
Short Term Disability
FSA/Dependents’ Care plans
Company healthcare plan following the insurance waiting period
Monthly live event ticket allowance after the three-month probationary period
Company bonus plan after the three-month probationary period, subject to company performance and not guaranteed
Regular check-ins with the line manager