Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: Charcoalblue

Location: Bristol, England, United Kingdom / London, England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Experience Design & Strategy (XDS) / Design Management

Date Posted: 2026-08-04T22:47:51

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on acting as an Experience Consultant within the Experience Design & Strategy (XDS) team, specializing in Design Management for events, executive briefings, and collaboration spaces.

• Key responsibilities involve translating client visions into actionable design briefs, managing diverse stakeholder expectations, and producing critical documentation for user journeys, master planning, and overall guest experience optimization.

• The position requires a proactive, self-directed individual comfortable with ambiguity, capable of embedding within client teams to deliver managed services with a high degree of autonomy.

• Success in this role hinges on strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to foster innovative approaches to designing and delivering enhanced experiences across various sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is presented as an "Experience Consultant" with a specialization in "Design Management." While the title is "Design Manager," the core function described aligns with a client-facing consultancy role focused on translating strategic vision into tangible design and operational plans for experiential spaces. The emphasis on embedding within client teams and managing a portfolio of projects suggests a strong operational and project management component, typical of revenue-generating GTM operations roles focused on client success and project delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Provide expert subject matter guidance on the architectural and experiential design of event, collaboration, and executive briefing venues, activations, and supporting spaces to optimize guest and user experiences.

• Develop comprehensive client requirement documentation for new event and experience spaces, translating these into detailed briefs for architectural design teams, incorporating operational considerations and program constraints.

• Conduct, document, analyze, and present user journey studies, strategic visioning, and wider experiential strategy reports to inform design decisions.

• Prepare and deliver progress reports and presentations to key stakeholders and partners, utilizing written and visual documentation to clearly communicate requirements, project objectives, and design intent.

• Serve as a primary liaison between client stakeholder teams, project managers, and internal/external design teams to ensure seamless communication and alignment.

• Foster a trusted, friendly, and flexible collaborative environment for clients and external partners, adeptly balancing competing team priorities.

• Contribute to the development and refinement of design standards and guidance within the XDS team as required.

• Actively participate in Design Team and other critical project meetings, offering subject matter expertise to guide projects with a keen awareness of schedule and cost implications.

• Represent Charcoalblue professionally as an ambassador, interfacing with clients and collaborators with integrity and high standards.

• Enhance the team's collaborative capabilities and client communication strategies, proactively identifying innovative approaches for managing a diverse portfolio of spaces.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed emphasize a blend of strategic design thinking, detailed documentation, client management, and cross-functional collaboration. This is highly relevant to operations professionals who manage complex projects, ensure clear communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders, and drive execution against strategic objectives. The need to "develop design standards and guidance" points to a process improvement and scalability component.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While a formal qualification/degree in architecture, interior design, venue design, or a related field is desirable, the company is open to varied experience. A bachelor's degree is generally expected for this level of consultancy.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience is required, either in event management and operations, or in the design and construction of spaces related to performing arts, events, executive briefing centers, experiential design, or hospitality & leisure. A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in design management or client representation for events/experiential spaces is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Design Management & Client Representation: Proven ability to manage design processes and represent client interests effectively, particularly in experiential or event contexts.

• Stakeholder Management: Capability to engage with and manage diverse client and project stakeholder teams, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

• Documentation & Briefing: Expertise in developing client requirements, producing detailed briefs for design teams, and creating progress reports and presentations.

• User Journey & Strategic Visioning: Experience in developing and documenting user journey studies and strategic visioning reports.

• Construction Drawing Interpretation: Ability to read and understand construction drawings and specifications, with a professional interest in construction projects.

• Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to think outside the box and provide creative, non-standard, and innovative solutions.

• Communication: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, adept at synthesizing complex information for executive and cross-functional audiences.

• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced, self-directed environment with high initiative.

Preferred Skills:

• Formal qualification/degree in architecture, interior design, venue design, or a related field.

• Practical understanding of AIA design stages and required information at each phase.

• Experience in experiential design, executive briefing programs, theatre, performing arts, or event space buildings.

• Proven vision, leadership, and strategic skills to prioritize evolving initiatives and translate ideas into effective user-engaging initiatives.

• Understanding of construction terminology, building systems, and overall project sequencing/timing.

• Imaginative approach to problem-solving.

• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously with meticulous attention to detail.

• Informed design sensibility with a curious and open approach.

• Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.

• Skill in building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, vendors, and management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Essential" qualifications clearly point to operational experience in project execution, client management, and technical understanding of space design and construction. The "Desirable" skills further enhance the profile with strategic thinking, advanced design principles, and leadership potential, which are crucial for roles that influence client strategy and project outcomes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies in Design Management/Client Representation: Showcase projects where you translated client needs into actionable design plans, managed stakeholders, and oversaw the design process for events, experiential spaces, or similar environments.

• Documentation Examples: Include samples of client requirement documents, design briefs, user journey maps, strategic visioning reports, and progress reports/presentations.

• Visual Communication: Demonstrate ability to communicate complex design concepts visually, potentially including master plans, site plans, or sketches relevant to space design.

• Process Optimization Examples: Highlight instances where you improved design processes, stakeholder communication, or operational efficiency within projects.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Provide examples of how you designed or optimized workflows for design projects, ensuring clarity, efficiency, and stakeholder buy-in.

• Implementation & Automation: Illustrate experience in implementing design plans and managing their progression through construction or delivery phases, noting any use of project management tools or methodologies.

• Measurement & Analysis: Show how you analyzed project outcomes, user feedback, or operational performance to inform future design decisions or report on project success.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role involving client-facing consultancy and design management, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just showcase finished products but the process and operations behind them. This includes how requirements were gathered, translated into briefs, managed through design stages, and communicated to stakeholders. Demonstrating an understanding of project lifecycles, documentation standards, and iterative improvement is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £38,000 - £65,000 per annum, based on a 40-hour working week. The wide range accounts for varying levels of experience, with potential for Senior Experience Consultant level consideration for exceptionally qualified candidates.

Benefits:

• Unlimited Leave Policy: "Take What You Need" policy offering flexibility for personal time off.

• Studio Closure: Company-wide closure over Christmas and New Years.

• Annual Company Bonus Scheme: Performance-based bonus opportunities.

• Pension Auto-Enrolment: Standard pension scheme contribution.

• Live Event Tickets Allowance: Monthly allowance to stay inspired by industry events.

• Home Working Contribution: Support for internet and utilities costs for remote work.

• Private Health Insurance: Provided after two years of service for the employee and dependents.

• Equipment: Laptop and peripherals provided for work.

• Company Mobile Phone Scheme: Mobile phone provision.

Working Hours: Flexible hours between 8 am – 8 pm, Monday to Friday, with a standard 40-hour working week. A hybrid setup requires a minimum of 2 days per week in one of the company's studios (London or Bristol).

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is broad, reflecting the potential to hire at different experience levels within the "Experience Consultant" band, or potentially a Senior role. Candidates are advised to state their salary expectations clearly, aligning them with their demonstrated experience and skills. The benefits package is comprehensive, with unique offerings like unlimited leave and event ticket allowances, which can be attractive to professionals in creative and client-facing roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design, Architecture, Experiential Design, Event Production, Cultural Consulting. Charcoalblue applies expertise from the cultural sector to workplace, sports, exhibition, and events markets.

Company Size: The provided data doesn't specify exact employee count but mentions a "growing Charcoalblue Experience Design & Strategy (XDS) team" and a "wider Charcoalblue team" with "multidisciplinary design and management skillsets." This suggests a medium to large consultancy with specialized departments.

Founded: The company was founded in 2007 (based on external company data). The Experience Design & Strategy (XDS) team is a dedicated business unit within the group.

Team Structure:

• The XDS team is a distinct business unit within Charcoalblue, comprising specialist Design Managers, Design Strategists, Experience Designers, Digital Design Consultants, Design Coordinators, creative, and Technical Designers.

• They often work closely and are fully embedded within client teams, acting as an extension of the client's workflow.

• Collaboration extends to the "vast array of multidisciplinary design and management skillsets across the wider Charcoalblue team." Methodology:

• Data-Driven Client Engagement: Applying expertise gained from cultural organizations to diverse markets, focusing on creating enhanced experiences for various user groups.

• Embedded Consultancy: Working closely with clients, often embedding within their teams to deliver managed services.

• User-Centric Design: Emphasis on optimizing spaces for overall guest and user experience, supported by user journey studies and strategic visioning.

• Collaborative Design Process: Fostering strong relationships and communication between clients, project managers, and design teams.

Company Website: https://charcoalblue.com/ (Inferred from domain_derived)

📝 Enhancement Note: Charcoalblue's culture appears to be a blend of deep expertise from the arts and cultural sector applied to commercial and experiential projects. The embedded, client-centric model suggests a high degree of autonomy and responsibility for individuals, requiring strong interpersonal and project management skills, akin to internal GTM operations roles focused on client delivery and strategic partnerships.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as an "Experience Consultant" with a "Design Manager" title, falling within the 5-10 years of experience bracket. It implies a mid-level to senior-mid-level position that requires significant autonomy, client-facing capabilities, and the ability to manage complex projects independently. Senior Experience Consultant level may be considered for candidates with exceptional skills and experience.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly detailed, the role involves working "embedded within a client team" and collaborating with "our wider team." This suggests reporting to a lead within the XDS team or a senior manager at Charcoalblue, while also managing client relationships and project deliverables directly.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts client success by ensuring spaces are optimized for user experience, translating strategic vision into tangible design outcomes, and managing the design and delivery process. This contributes to client satisfaction, project completion on time and budget, and the overall reputation and revenue generation for Charcoalblue's XDS services.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like executive briefing centers, event design, or hybrid workplace strategies.

• Leadership Development: Potential to move into Senior Experience Consultant roles, leading larger projects or client accounts, and mentoring junior team members.

• Process Improvement: Contribute to developing new design standards, methodologies, and best practices for the XDS team, influencing the firm's operational efficiency and service offering.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Gain exposure to a wide range of projects and multidisciplinary teams within Charcoalblue, broadening professional experience.

• Client Relationship Management: Develop long-term relationships with high-profile clients, potentially leading to repeat business and strategic partnership opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path emphasizes both technical specialization and leadership within a consultancy framework. For operations professionals, this translates to opportunities in project leadership, strategic client engagement, and contributing to the operational frameworks that drive service delivery.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid setup requiring a minimum of 2 days per week in one of the company's studios (London or Bristol), balanced with remote work and site visits. This indicates a modern, flexible work environment.

Office Location(s):

• Bristol: 43 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4QP, GB

• London: 17 Short Street, London, SE1 8, GB

Candidates are preferred to be UK-based and within reasonable travel distance to these offices for occasional needs.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model, studio presence, and emphasis on team collaboration suggest an environment designed for both focused individual work and dynamic team interaction.

• Tools & Technology: Candidates will likely utilize standard professional software for design, project management, and communication. A laptop and company mobile phone are provided.

• Client Integration: A significant part of the role involves working embedded within client teams, requiring adaptability to different client workspace environments and project cadences.

Work Schedule: Flexible hours between 8 am – 8 pm, Monday to Friday, with a 40-hour working week. This flexibility allows for managing project demands and personal work-life balance, typical in client-facing consulting roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature and flexible hours are standard for many professional roles but are particularly important for client-facing positions that may require extended hours or travel for site visits. The expectation of studio presence indicates a commitment to team cohesion and in-person collaboration when needed.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application: Submit online application form with a cover letter addressing specific prompts and including links to work samples.

• Remote Interviews: Conducted via Microsoft Teams, with times and dates confirmed for shortlisted candidates. Expect multiple stages.

• Portfolio Review: Your submitted work samples will be a key component. Be prepared to discuss projects in detail, focusing on your role, process, challenges, and outcomes.

• Stakeholder/Team Interviews: Likely to involve discussions with members of the XDS team and potentially senior management to assess technical skills, cultural fit, and collaborative capabilities.

• Case Study/Presentation: While not explicitly stated, it's common for such roles to include a presentation or case study exercise demonstrating your ability to translate complex information and present strategic solutions.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 projects that best demonstrate your design management, client representation, and problem-solving skills relevant to events, experiential spaces, or similar environments.

• Focus on Process: Detail the "how" and "why" behind your projects. Explain your approach to understanding client needs, developing briefs, managing stakeholders, and overcoming challenges.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data or specific examples to illustrate the success of your projects and your contribution to achieving client objectives (e.g., improved user experience, successful event execution, efficient design delivery).

• Visual Clarity: Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, visually appealing, and easy to navigate. Use high-quality images and clear, concise descriptions.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience that directly aligns with Charcoalblue's focus on events, collaboration spaces, and client-embedded consultancy.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Charcoalblue's Work: Research their portfolio, client list, and approach to design and strategy.

• Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions: Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific client challenges, stakeholder conflicts, or design dilemmas.

• Articulate Your Design Philosophy: Be ready to discuss your approach to design management, user experience, and collaboration.

• Practice Presentation Skills: Rehearse presenting your portfolio and answering questions clearly and confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes a thorough review of a candidate's practical experience and ability to articulate their process. A well-structured portfolio that highlights operational execution, client management, and problem-solving is critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Visualization: While specific software isn't listed, expect proficiency in tools for architectural visualization, master planning, and potentially space planning (e.g., AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Vectorworks, Adobe Creative Suite).

• Project Management: Tools for managing timelines, tasks, and resources (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Microsoft Project).

• Documentation & Presentation: Standard office productivity suites (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace) for creating reports, briefs, and presentations.

• Communication Platforms: Microsoft Teams is specified for interviews, suggesting its use internally for collaboration. Other platforms like Slack may also be used.

Analytics & Reporting:

• The role involves developing "user journey studies" and "strategic visioning studies," which may require data analysis and reporting capabilities, potentially using tools for data synthesis and visualization. CRM & Automation:

• While not a core CRM role, managing client relationships and project pipelines will involve CRM-like functionalities. Experience with client databases or project tracking systems would be beneficial.

• Automation might be relevant in terms of process optimization within design workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job description doesn't list specific software, candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with common tools used in design management, project execution, and client communication within a consultancy or agency setting. A strong understanding of project lifecycle management tools and documentation platforms is essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client Focus: Prioritizing client vision and experience optimization as the core driver for design and delivery.

• Collaboration & Trust: Building strong, trusting relationships with clients and internal teams, fostering a supportive and open environment.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging imaginative problem-solving and the development of non-standard, innovative solutions.

• Professionalism & Integrity: Acting as a trusted ambassador for Charcoalblue, maintaining high standards in all interactions.

• Efficiency & Adaptability: Managing projects effectively, adapting to evolving needs, and contributing to process improvements.

Collaboration Style:

• Embedded & Integrated: Working closely and often embedded within client teams to ensure seamless integration and understanding of client workflows.

• Cross-Functional: Collaborating with diverse internal teams (designers, strategists, technical specialists) and external partners (architects, project managers).

• Open Communication: Valuing clear, honest, and professional communication to ensure alignment and address challenges proactively.

• Feedback-Driven: A culture that likely embraces feedback for continuous improvement of processes and project outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on client embedding, trust, and innovation suggests a culture that values proactive problem-solving, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes, which aligns well with the operational ethos of successful GTM and RevOps teams.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Client Demands & Internal Standards: Effectively managing client expectations while adhering to Charcoalblue's quality standards and methodologies.

• Ambiguity in Project Scope: Working in a self-directed, managed-services environment often involves navigating unclear requirements and evolving project scopes.

• Cross-Functional Coordination: Ensuring smooth communication and alignment across multiple client stakeholders and internal design/project teams.

• Pace and Pressure: The fast-paced nature of event and experiential design projects can involve tight deadlines and high-pressure situations.

• Remote & Hybrid Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion and effective communication in a hybrid and often client-embedded work structure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Industry Knowledge: Gaining deep insights into event design, executive briefing centers, and experiential strategy across various sectors.

• Advanced Design Management Skills: Enhancing capabilities in client management, strategic planning, and stakeholder negotiation.

• Exposure to High-Profile Projects: Working on projects for world-leading companies, offering significant professional development and portfolio enhancement.

• Mentorship: Potential to learn from senior members of the XDS team and contribute to mentoring junior colleagues.

• Networking: Building a robust professional network within the design, events, and corporate sectors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in client-facing consulting roles and offer opportunities for individuals to hone their project management, communication, and adaptability skills. The growth opportunities are substantial for those seeking to build a career in specialized design consultancy.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Client Vision Translation: "Describe a time you had to translate a complex client vision into a clear, actionable design brief. What was your process, and what were the key challenges?" (Focus on your methodology for requirements gathering, documentation, and stakeholder alignment.)

• Stakeholder Conflict Resolution: "How have you managed conflicting priorities or feedback from multiple stakeholders on a design project? Provide an example of how you navigated this to reach a successful outcome." (Highlight your negotiation, communication, and decision-making skills.)

• Problem-Solving in Design: "Walk us through a challenging design or operational problem you encountered in a past project. What was your approach to solving it, and what was the result?" (Emphasize your analytical skills, creativity, and ability to implement solutions.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• Charcoalblue's Value Alignment: "What excites you about Charcoalblue's approach to Experience Design & Strategy, particularly our work in [mention a specific sector or project type]? How do your values align with ours?" (Research their website, projects, and mission.)

• Team Collaboration: "Describe your ideal collaborative environment. How do you contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic, especially when embedded within a client team?" (Focus on your interpersonal skills and adaptability.)

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of a design or experiential project? What metrics do you consider most important?" (Discuss user satisfaction, operational efficiency, and achievement of client objectives.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the client's objective, your role, the process you followed, the key challenges, your solutions, and the measurable outcomes.

• Highlight Operational Execution: Emphasize your role in managing the project lifecycle, documentation, stakeholder communication, and delivery.

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Articulate how your design decisions supported the client's broader business or experiential goals.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your technical approach, software used, and specific decisions made.

• Connect to the Role: Explicitly link your experience and portfolio examples to the requirements and responsibilities outlined in the job description.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating practical application of skills, strategic thinking, and a strong understanding of the client-consultant relationship. The portfolio is a critical tool for illustrating these capabilities.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager / Experience Consultant position:

• Submit your online application form through the Charcoalblue Teamtailor portal.

• Craft a compelling cover letter: Clearly articulate what excites you about this specific position and why you are interested in joining Charcoalblue.

• Address the specific prompts: Thoroughly respond to the questions regarding your experience in design management, client representation, and alignment with the required professional background in event management/operations or space design.

• Curate and submit your work samples: Include links to personal or professional work that best showcases your relevant skills and experience. Ensure these are easily accessible and well-presented.

• Optimize your resume: Highlight your years of experience, specific achievements in design management, event operations, or relevant space design fields, and ensure keywords from the job description are naturally integrated.

• Prepare for remote interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience in detail, present your portfolio, and articulate your problem-solving approach via Microsoft Teams. Research Charcoalblue's projects and values thoroughly.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.