Design Manager

Charcoalblue • Chicago, IL

8d • $75,000 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Charcoalblue is seeking a Design Manager, also referred to as an Experience Consultant with a focus on Design Management, to join their Experience Design & Strategy (XDS) team. This is a permanent, full-time position based in the Eastern Time Zone of the US. The role involves guiding the design and delivery of events, executive briefings, and collaboration spaces, often embedded within client teams. Key responsibilities include translating client vision into actionable briefs, managing stakeholders, producing documentation and visuals (user journeys, master planning, guest experience), and acting as a subject-matter expert in a self-directed, managed-services environment. The ideal candidate is communicative, self-motivated, comfortable with ambiguity, and possesses strong interpersonal skills. Candidates must be available for daily meetings during Eastern Time Zone business hours and are strongly preferred to be US East Coast based, within reasonable travel distance to Charcoalblue offices in New York or Chicago.

Requirements

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience required in either the event management and operations field, or in the design and construction of spaces relating to the performing arts, events, executive briefing centers, experiential design, or hospitality & leisure.
• Ability to read construction drawings and specifications, and a professional interest in construction projects
• Skilled in the visual, written, and verbal communication of design issues with capability to think outside the box and bring creative, non-standard, and innovative solutions to the table.
• Adept at synthesizing complex information and high-level concepts into clear, concise, and visually compelling presentations for executive and cross-functional audiences
• Proven vision, leadership, and strategic skills to prioritize evolving initiatives; ability to turn ideas and capabilities into effective initiatives that engage users.
• Ability and proven record of helping to steer decision making and processing.
• Ability to work in a collaborative and fast-paced environment with a high degree of self-motivation and initiative.
• Outstanding verbal and written communicator
• Ability to easily manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Detail oriented with ability to think, plan, and execute on multiple projects in different phases simultaneously with little direct supervision.
• Informed design sensibility, with a curious and open approach to design
• Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing business needs.
• Ability to build relationships with colleagues, clients, vendors, stakeholders, and management.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in design management or client representation relating to events or experiential spaces and/or formal qualification/degree in architecture, interior design, venue design, or related field.
• A practical understanding of the AIA design stages, and the typical level of information required at each stage.
• Experience in experiential design, executive briefing programs, theatre, performing arts, or event space buildings either through direct experience or professional design work.
• An understanding of construction terminology and building systems, and overall project sequence/timing.
• An imaginative approach to problem-solving will be a significant advantage.
• A collaborative and personal approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise and design guidance for Events and Experiences spaces
• Ensure the architectural design of Event, Collaboration, and Executive Briefing Venues, Activations, and Support Spaces are optimized for the overall guest and user experience.
• Develop client requirements documentation for new event and experience spaces and produce briefs for the architectural design team, including architectural requirements, operational considerations and program constraints.
• Develop, document, analyze, and present user journey studies, and wider strategic visioning studies
• Deliver and maintain progress reports and presentations to key stakeholders and partners as required using written and drawn documentation to communicate stakeholder requirements, project aims, and design intent.
• Act as a key point of contact for client stakeholder teams, project managers, and the design teams to ensure accurate communication between all parties.
• Be a trusted, friendly, and flexible collaborator for all client and external partners while balancing diverse team priorities.
• Work with our wider team to develop design standards and guidance as and when needed.
• Be actively involved in Design Team and other key project meetings, providing subject matter expert advice to guide the project with an understanding of schedule and cost considerations.
• Represent and be an ambassador for Charcoalblue, interfacing with professionalism with our clients and collaborators.
• Elevate our ability to collaborate and communicate with clients and brainstorm innovative ways to approach a portfolio of spaces.

Benefits

• Laptop and associated IT peripherals
• Contributions towards home internet and utilities
• 401K plan (employee contributions immediately, employer contributions after two years)
• Life insurance cover
• Short Term Disability
• FSA/Dependents’ Care plans
• Company healthcare plan
• Allowance for live event tickets each month
• Bonus plan

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed