Design Leadership & Technical Delivery

• Lead the design of audiovisual systems across multiple projects, acting as lead designer for your area of specialism and taking responsibility for the quality, coordination and delivery of design information.

• Develop design principles, system strategies and technical solutions that respond to the client brief, operational requirements, architectural vision, performance needs and project budget.

• Produce and oversee the preparation of drawings, specifications, reports, schedules, calculations and other technical information, including Charcoalblue’s design intent and system information.

• Lead technical discussions with clients, users and project stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into coherent, deliverable design solutions.

• Communicate the functionality, purpose and benefits of audiovisual and stage lighting systems clearly and appropriately to different audiences, including creative designers, clients, technicians, architects, engineers and contractors.

• Work collaboratively with architectural and engineering teams to ensure that appropriate infrastructure, spatial requirements, support, power, data, containment, environmental conditions, access and other dependencies are incorporated into the wider design.

• Collaborate closely with Charcoalblue design colleagues across disciplines, including stage lighting, stage engineering, theatre design and acoustics to deliver seamlessly coordinated design solutions on multi-disciplinary projects.

• Provide technical leadership during design development, construction and implementation, resolving complex design and coordination issues and ensuring that the intended performance and functionality are maintained through to completion.

• Provide cost projections for audiovisual systems throughout the project lifecycle, working with manufacturers, suppliers and distributors to test assumptions, validate budgets and undertake early market testing.

• Lead and contribute to value engineering exercises, developing alternative solutions that reduce cost while protecting functionality, performance, quality and client value, and clearly communicating the implications of design changes.

• Attend site visits as required, including construction progress reviews, inspections, commissioning, witness testing and other technical activities, providing appropriate technical input and reporting.

Project & Team Leadership

• Act as Team Leader on projects where appropriate, taking responsibility for project planning, coordination, resource management, quality, programme and commercial performance.

• Work with Team Leaders and project directors to establish clear work plans, objectives, deliverables, resource requirements and priorities.

• Balance design quality, project requirements, available resources and commercial considerations, making objective and informed decisions throughout the project.

• Demonstrate the ability to manage and contribute to projects profitably, understanding fee, scope, resource and programme implications and identifying risks and opportunities at an early stage.

• Ensure project demands and deliverables are met while fostering a positive and collaborative working environment that inspires confidence and supports high-quality outcomes.

• Undertake project Quality Assurance reviews of colleagues’ work when required, providing constructive feedback and ensuring compliance with Charcoalblue standards and agreed project requirements.

• Support the development and implementation of consistent design standards, methodologies, drawing conventions, specifications and technical resources across the practice.

Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Consistently deliver work to a high professional standard, following Charcoalblue’s quality assurance processes and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, standards, guidance and industry good practice.

• Uphold and champion Charcoalblue’s quality standards across projects and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.

• Participate in internal audits and use their findings to improve working practices, processes and project delivery.

• Identify opportunities to improve technical methodologies, workflows, tools and resources and contribute to their implementation across the practice.

• Contribute to the continual development of Charcoalblue’s internal design and technical resources through collaboration, knowledge sharing and the development of house standards and styles.

Leadership, Mentoring & Knowledge Sharing

• Provide technical leadership, guidance and mentorship to consultants and other members of the team, sharing knowledge and supporting their professional development.

• Provide training and informal coaching as required, helping colleagues develop their technical, project and consultancy skills.

• Support senior management in encouraging innovation, collaboration and consistently high-quality design.

• Act as a role model for Charcoalblue’s cultural values and demonstrate these values in relationships with colleagues, clients, consultants, contractors and other project partners.

• Continue to develop personal knowledge of theatre, audiovisual technology, technical presentation, construction and related industries through self-directed research, continuous professional development and Charcoalblue’s Training & Development programme.

Client, Industry & Business Development

• Develop trusted relationships with clients and project partners, acting as a confident and knowledgeable representative of Charcoalblue and its technical expertise.

• Represent Charcoalblue and its services externally through conferences, presentations, publications, training sessions, study tours and other industry opportunities.

• Act as an ambassador for Charcoalblue, positively promoting the practice, its projects, services and expertise while supporting both personal and partnership business development objectives.

• Identify opportunities for innovation, collaboration and the development of new services, technologies and approaches within audiovisual and theatre consultancy.

• Contribute to the wider development of the practice by sharing sector knowledge, market intelligence, emerging technologies and lessons learned from projects.

General

• Collaborate positively and proactively with colleagues across Charcoalblue and with external design and project teams.

• Demonstrate sound professional judgement, taking ownership of responsibilities and escalating significant risks, issues or decisions appropriately.

• Undertake occasional travel, including international travel, as required by projects, clients and Charcoalblue activities.

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

Qualifications and Key Skills

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

Essential

• Significant and demonstrable experience working in live performance venues.

• Plus minimum three (3) years of experience working as a technical systems designer or as a consultant

• High experience in computer drafting. We work predominantly in REVIT, therefore proficiency in REVIT is preferred, however previous experience in either Vectorworks, or AutoCAD would be considered.

• Professional experience with the standard suite of Microsoft Office and GSuite products.

• Professional experience with Adobe Acrobat and / or Bluebeam Revu - we operate a paperless office and use the PDF format for all document issues.

Desirable

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical information clearly through verbal explanation, written communication, sketching, technical drawings and formal presentations.

• Ability to independently plan, manage and deliver workstreams against agreed scope, programme and budget, with minimal management input and appropriate escalation of key issues.

• Expert-level knowledge of audiovisual systems and strong knowledge of stage lighting, networking, infrastructure and systems integration. Good understanding of broadcast, streaming, lecture room and presentation technologies.

• Relevant higher education qualification, technical theatre training and/or professional industry qualifications such as AVIXA, or equivalent professional experience.

• Demonstrable experience acting as lead or primary stage lighting and/or audiovisual systems designer across design, documentation, construction and commissioning phases on significant projects in the UK and/or EMEA.

• Strong practical understanding of stage lighting and/or audiovisual design, network architecture, infrastructure, systems integration and relevant Health & Safety, electrical and industry regulations.

• Experience developing and reviewing technical and contract documentation for stage lighting and/or audiovisual systems on new-build and refurbishment projects.

• Strong knowledge of the operation, technical requirements and construction of theatre, performing arts and live performance buildings, with experience and interest in live performance, broadcast, streaming and/or events.

• Experience of architectural lighting and/or audiovisual immersive environment installations, either temporary or permanent.

• Excellent graphic and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and consistently within established design and corporate standards.

• Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary and distributed global teams, including across different time zones and cultures.

Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

• Highly organised, reliable and able to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of quality and attention to detail.

• Confident in developing trusted relationships with clients, architects, contractors, suppliers and other consultants, and able to represent the organisation professionally at meetings, workshops and presentations.

• Able to lead technical workstreams, provide direction and mentoring to less experienced colleagues, and take ownership and accountability for the quality and delivery of work.

• Commercially aware, with the ability to manage project resources and budgets and contribute to fee, scope, business development and client relationship activities.

• Calm and effective under pressure, with sound professional judgement, a collaborative approach and the flexibility to adapt to changing project and business requirements