Design Manager (Freelance)

Design Manager (Freelance) Charcoalblue is a global leader in delivering complex, creative, and high-profile projects across theatre, cultural institutions, immersive environments, and experiential venues. Our Experience Design & Strategy team (XDS) applies our expertise from working with globally renowned cultural organizations to the workplace, sports, exhibition, and events markets. We work with world-leading organizations to create spaces and experiences that support collaboration, storytelling, and meaningful engagement for staff, visitors, guests, and spectators. Our work spans a diverse range of environments, including hybrid workplaces, one-off event spaces, sports facilities, broadcast studios, conference and executive briefing centres, and integrated experiences across buildings and campuses. The XDS team brings together specialist Design Managers, Design Strategists, Experience Designers, Digital Design Consultants, Design Coordinators, and creative and technical designers, supported by a broad range of multidisciplinary design and project management expertise across the wider Charcoalblue team. We frequently work closely with individual clients, becoming embedded within their workflows and project teams to provide specialist expertise, leadership, and delivery support. Engagement Details We are seeking to engage a Freelance Design Manager to support our growing Charcoalblue Experience Design & Strategy (XDS) team, across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The primary project and client location is Singapore, locality to Singapore is a preference but we are interested in applicants across the APAC region. Locality to our APAC Charcoalblue office in Melbourne is a secondary preference. This freelance engagement is anticipated to be approximately 16 hours per week , with an initial term until the end of the calendar year (December 2026) with the potential for the scope and duration of the engagement to extend depending on project requirements and upcoming opportunities. Initially, the role will be focused on providing oversight and guidance for the design and delivery of events, executive briefings, and collaboration spaces within the workplace sector, as part of a key Charcoalblue account for a major Technology Workplace client. The role will provide design management and project delivery services, including working as an embedded vendor within a client team as a key part of our Design Management and Creative consultancy teams. This is a client-facing role, and you will be integral in the complex task of stakeholder management. You will act as the subject-matter expert, often representing the client and serving as part of a wider team in a self-directed, managed-services environment. You will be responsible for working with our clients to understand their vision and translate this into an actionable brief. You will support the delivery of the project, ensuring the client brief is delivered upon.  You will produce clear documentation, presentation, and graphics to illustrate design considerations such as user journeys, creative visioning, master planning, adjacencies, operational needs, and guest experience. We are looking for a multifaceted, innovative problem solver with broad knowledge of event spaces and/or guest experiences, and the ability to guide the delivery of these projects aligned with the client vision and delivery strategy. Additionally, you must be a clear communicator, action-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable with ambiguity. Key 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. 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. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and may be subject to change in response to project and business requirements. About You We're interested in professionals who have: Essential 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 Desirable 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. 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. A practical understanding of both RIBA and AIA design stages, and the typical level of information required at each stage. Adept at synthesizing complex information and high-level concepts into clear, concise, and visually compelling presentations for executive and cross-functional audiences Experience in experiential design, executive briefing programs, theatre, performing arts, or event space buildings either through direct experience or professional design work. Proven vision, leadership, and strategic skills to prioritize evolving initiatives; ability to turn ideas and capabilities into effective initiatives that engage users. An understanding of construction terminology and building systems, and overall project sequence/timing. Ability and proven record of helping to steer decision making and processing. An imaginative approach to problem-solving will be a significant advantage. A collaborative and personal approach. Interpersonal Skills 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. Availability The freelancer must be available to participate in daily meetings during standard business hours in the GMT+8 time zone . While the engagement can be performed remotely within the APAC region, availability during core business hours is essential to support effective collaboration with clients and project teams. The engagement will initially be on a 5-6 month initial term, running to the end of the current calendar year (December 2026). Application To apply, please complete the online application form. A cover letter is also required to be considered for this engagement. In your letter, please share what excites you about this opportunity and why you’d like to work with the Charcoalblue team. In addition, please respond to the following prompts: Describe your experience in design management or client representation related to the design of events or experiential spaces, or how your experience in architecture or events could be applied to this field. Share how your professional background aligns with the required experience in either event management and operations, or the design and construction of spaces related to the performing arts, events, executive briefing centers, experiential design, or hospitality and leisure. Please also include links to any personal or professional work you would like us to review as part of your application. Interviews will be conducted remotely (via Microsoft Teams), starting in August 2026. The time and date will be confirmed for shortlisted freelancers. Start Date As soon as possible 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 Natalia Abril at [email protected] or via telephone at +61 (03) 9417 6524 . 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. Department Experience Design & Strategy Locations Remote - Singapore, Remote - AUS Remote status Fully Remote Employment type Contract Fixed term employment? Yes About Charcoalblue 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. Click here for more about Charcoalblue.