Design Manager

• 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

• 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

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.

• Event Management
• Design Management
• Client Representation
• Experiential Design
• Construction Drawings

• Architectural Design
• Visual Communication
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Project Management
• AIA Design Stages
• Building Systems Understanding
• Detail-Oriented Planning
• User Journey Analysis
• Strategic Visioning

• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Flexibility
• Adaptability
• Relationship Building

• Degree in Architecture
• Degree in Interior Design
• Degree in Venue Design

• Experiential Spaces
• Performing Arts
• Event Space Buildings
• Executive Briefing Centers
• Hospitality and Leisure