Charcoalblue Talent - Theatre Consultant - Stage Lighting

Theatre Consultant - Stage Lighting - (15)

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Location

Bristol - Bristol, BST BS1 4EQ GB
London - London, LND SE1 8LJ GB (Primary)

Category

Design, Lighting, Theatre Consulting

Job Type

Full-time, Permanent

Job Description

Thank you for your interest in Charcoalblue.

We are seeking a Theatre Consultant with a Stage Lighting focus to join our global Theatre Consultancy team in the UK. You will be responsible for all aspects of design, documenting, and commissioning Stage Lighting systems on our projects, working as part of our project teams which can include team leads, theatre designers, stage equipment designers, experience designers and acousticians to deliver holistic, bespoke dedicated design solutions. It would be advantageous for you to have prior experience with theatre and/or presentation technical systems and/or broadcast and media technology, either as a practitioner and/or systems designer and / or experience as a team leader or project manager.

You will report to one of our Associate Directors and your project assignments and workload will be managed by your line manager. You will have the chance to meet regularly with your line manager to ensure you are fully supported in your role and since theatre consultancy is a specialist field, we will provide role-specific inductions, and ongoing training to help you succeed.

To apply please complete the online application form and submit a short CV (1-2 pages max.) and a cover letter addressing the below prompts:

Why do you consider yourself to be a suitable person for the post and what you would like from the job?
Which of your previous experience would you highlight as being particularly relevant? Please highlight any stage lighting design for performance buildings and event spaces.
Describe any experience of designing, specifying and commissioning stage lighting or performance systems.
Describe your experience and competency using CAD drawing tools for designing stage lighting systems.
Please highlight the elements of the role requirement where you feel you have the least experience.
Please highlight any experience you have leading teams.
What are your salary expectations in line with experience?

We look forward to receiving your application and expect to interview in December 2025. We will only accept applications via our online system. 

Interviews will either be held in person at our London Studio, or remotely (via Microsoft Teams) - time, date and location will be confirmed for shortlisted candidates.  

Key Responsibilities

Provide general support for projects; primarily assisting with the production of drawings, specifications and reports for specific projects, as well as assisting the more senior team members with research on new products, developing the principles of system design and the production of Charcoalblue’s ‘standard’ system information.
Work to a consistently high standard, in line with Charcoalblue’s quality assurance and control procedures.
Ensure that the demands of your projects are fully met.
We aim to be unassailable in the quality of our work, the speed of our response, and to motivate the entire design and construction team by the good humour and competence of our approach.
Operate with minimal administrative assistance: drafting emails, letters, reports and budgets as necessary.
We will expect you to be self-motivated in your own research, expanding your knowledge of the theatre and also of the construction industry. We welcome any particular skills or experience which you may bring to the company. We invite you to highlight these on the attached application form.
Meeting with clients to evaluate their needs for a project as they relate to stage lighting systems and network systems design (and beyond).
Working with our internal design team to present a holistic design solution which balances all aspects of performance functionality and budget. 
Communicating with client teams to describe our solutions and ensure they reflect the right fit which balances the needs of various project constituents. 
Describing the functionality and purpose of stage lighting systems while adjusting communication styles for different audiences - for other creative designers, for experienced technicians, or electrical engineers. 
Working with architectural and engineering teams to ensure that each of the design disciplines includes the required infrastructure, support, and accommodation for all elements of the stage lighting systems.
Providing cost projections throughout a project for stage lighting systems integration.
Conducting value engineering; adapting and revising designs to reduce cost while maintaining as much value and performance as possible, meanwhile being able to describe impacts on functionality. 
Participating in site visits for commissioning, witness testing, construction progress, and other purposes as required. This position will require occasional travel, including international/overseas travel.
Working with our Team Leaders to set out project work plans, goals, and deliverables.
Contributing to the continual development of our internal design and technical resources.
Discussing your work and ideas with other designers at Charcoalblue.
Serving as a resource for all our designers about stage lighting technology applicable to our projects.

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

Qualifications, Key Skills & Employment Details

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

Minimum four years’ experience as a stage lighting designer or technician, ideally across performing arts and architectural contexts.
Minimum two years of experience working as a technical systems designer or specifying stage lighting systems or equipment
Experience in computer drafting of some form; Proficiency in Vectorworks, AutoCAD or REVIT will be required.
Professional experience with the standard suite of Microsoft Office and GSuite products.
Professional experience with Adobe Acrobat and / or Bluebeam - we operate a paperless office and use the Adobe/Bluebeam PDF format for all documents.
Experience and interest in live performance, and/or events, with a demonstrable passion for the performing arts.

DESIRABLE

Excellent communication skills through verbal explanations, interpretation of data, sketch drawing, written communication, technical drawing, and formal presentations.
Ability to self-manage and set work plans for the successful delivery of work against deadlines with minimal input from management. 
Expert level of detailed knowledge about stage lighting and high level of knowledge about audiovisual equipment infrastructure and networking technology, and systems integration
You may have completed a higher education qualification or have attended a Technical Theatre course at a Drama School, College or University.
You may have completed industry relevant training (AVIXA etc)
Served as primary stage lighting or audiovisual systems designer for completed projects in the design, documentation, construction, and commissioning phases, either as a consultant or client.
Practical knowledge of stage lighting and/or audiovisual theory and design, with a solid understanding of networks and required relevant infrastructure
Practical knowledge of Theatre Health & Safety practice and it would be advantageous to have some knowledge of current relevant Health & Safety and electrical regulations.
Skill and sensitivity to graphic design and layout, graphical display of information, adhering to design standards, and incorporating corporate branding.
Knowledge and experience of the operation and/or construction of theatre and/or live performance buildings.
Experience demonstrating the creation of contract documentation for stagelighting or audiovisual systems on new construction or architectural renovation projects in the UK and / or EMEA.
Experience working with a distributed global team across different time zones.
Experience of temporary or permanent architectural lighting schemes.
Experience of temporary or permanent stage lighting immersive environment installations

Interpersonal Skills

Strong organisational and time-management skills, with a dependable and consistent approach.
Careful and thorough, able to produce accurate work.
Clear and confident communication skills, both in writing and speaking.
Comfortable managing multiple responsibilities with support where needed.
Able to maintain focus and use healthy coping strategies during busy periods.
Approachable and respectful when working with others.
Confident working independently and collaboratively within local and global teams.
Open to learning and adapting to evolving business needs.
Able to prioritise tasks and balance a varied workload.

Salary

Charcoalblue offers a competitive salary, with the final base pay dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. Base pay is one part of the total rewards package we provide to recognise and support our employees.

Salary range for this role is between £35,000 and £50,000 dependant on experience.

Employment Details

The role is being offered at 40 hours per week (to be arranged flexibly between Monday-Friday), including a comprehensive benefits package, plus an hour per day (unpaid) for lunch, with an understanding that flexible working hours will apply to meet our clients’ needs and to accommodate the company’s global time zones. Charcoalblue does not provide for the payment of overtime. The nature of the job and the Partnership’s business could occasionally entail some work outside normal working hours.

There is a three-month probationary period for permanent roles.

We are currently working in a hybrid model, meaning you will work from your home (or other place of your choosing) with a minimum of 2 days attendance at one of our UK studios (London or Bristol). We will provide you with the necessary IT hardware and software to enable you to carry out your role successfully in line with your duties.

Please note, although the role is hybrid, the successful applicant must be based in the UK and able to travel to one of our two UK studios to effectively meet the current needs of our work and local team, and you should be able and willing to travel to external meetings as required.

Take-What-You-Need (TWYN) Leave
Team members have no ‘cap’ on the number of days they wish to take in any one year. This means you can plan holiday or vacation time or request time when you need it, without the worry of running out of leave days. TWYN leave requests must follow policy guidelines and team members are encouraged to use a minimum of 20 days of annual leave minimum per annum (prorated in the first year and also prorated in a part-time position), plus statutory Bank Holidays.
Charcoalblue traditionally closes its studios between Christmas and New Year’s Day, resulting in an additional 4-5 discretionary paid vacation days each year.

BENEFITS
To support you in successful hybrid/distributed working, you will receive a laptop and any other associated IT peripherals required for the role upon you joining Charcoalblue. Following successful completion of your three-month probationary period, you will be eligible to participate in our company benefits package, including:

Charcoalblue’s annual bonus scheme, subject to the Partnership’s performance year on year.
Charcoalblue’s pension auto-enrolment scheme.
An allocation of live event tickets per month, offered to encourage you to immerse yourself in the live events industry as far as possible.
A contribution to your home internet and home utilities to enable you to work from home effectively in line with our distributed working model.
Upon successful completion of your second year, you will be eligible to join our Private Health Insurance plan, in line with our company policy.

Other benefits are accumulative as you progress with the company.

COMPANY OVERVIEW
Charcoalblue is widely regarded as the most exciting and innovative theatre, acoustics, and experience consultancy in the world. We specialise in the performing arts, live entertainment, media, technology, education, experiential, hospitality, workplace and cultural sectors. We imagine, design, and deliver captivating spaces that entertain, educate, and transform individuals through collective experiences. Guided by listening, collaboration, and a passion for innovation, excellence, emotion, and theatricality, we strive to create extraordinary moments. Since our inception in the UK in 2004, Charcoalblue is now the largest organization of its kind, delivering projects to every corner of the globe. We operate as a cohesive and collaborative team with studios in London and Bristol in the UK, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco in the US, and Melbourne in Australia.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION OVERVIEW
We are committed to becoming an increasingly inclusive organization. We continuously work to eliminate unfair and discriminatory practices within the company while encouraging full and equal contributions from our diverse community.

Our mission is to foster an inclusive ethos by creating a welcoming work environment across our global practice. We provide recruitment opportunities that are open to all and encourage applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds to ensure our global team reflects the clients we collaborate with and the communities we serve. If you require this application in a different format or need support during the application process, please contact Jake Katz via email at jake.katz@charcoalblue.com or via telephone at +44 207 928 0000. If you have any questions about accessibility or how the role may accommodate your personal circumstances, please reach out.

Charcoalblue strives to provide an environment free from discrimination and is committed to ensuring that all clients and customers can access the services and products we offer, across our three regions. We believe that all individuals – employees and clients alike – are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity.

Job Details

Theatre Consultant - Stage Lighting - (15)