Acoustics Consultant (London, Hybrid)

Charcoalblue Llp; London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative consultancy seeks passionate acousticians to join their dynamic team. You will play a vital role in designing captivating spaces in the performing arts sector, ensuring optimal acoustic performance and sound quality. Collaborating with a global team, you will engage in exciting projects that challenge your creativity and technical skills. With a commitment to equity and inclusion, this role offers a supportive environment where your contributions will directly influence the future of live entertainment and cultural experiences. Join us in making a meaningful impact through sound in the built environment!

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme

Live event tickets allocation

Contribution to home internet

Private Health Insurance after 2 years

Flexible working hours

Laptop and IT peripherals

Take-What-You-Need Leave Policy

Qualifications

• 4+ years in acoustics consultancy with building and environmental acoustics experience.
• Experience with CAD and acoustic analysis software essential.

Responsibilities

• Communicate acoustic requirements and present design recommendations.
• Conduct room acoustic analysis and perform sound separation analysis.
• Collaborate with design teams and manage project documentation.

Skills

Acoustic Analysis

Technical Drawing

Critical Listening

Data Manipulation

Project Management

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Degree in Acoustics

Professional Experience in Acoustics

Tools

AutoCAD

Sketchup

Rhinoceros

CATT-Acoustic

Odeon

Microsoft Office

INSUL

SoundPLAN

Job description

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.

Charcoalblue Acoustics delivers great sounding spaces through a technically robust, creative, and collaborative process. We are specialists in performing arts and cultural buildings.

Charcoalblue aims to make contributions to a more equitable, more connected, more compassionate, more enriched, and more sustainable world. We seek out clients, teammates, and projects which resonate with this approach.

Description of Role

We are currently seeking full-time early- and mid-career acousticians who specialise in the performing arts.

You will support our projects specifically in Greater London, in the UK, but also our global portfolio of work. You will collaborate with all acoustic members of our global acoustics team.

You will be responsible for design, documentation, measurements, analysis, and construction observation in room acoustics, sound separation, noise and vibration control, soundscapes, and environmental noise. We’re looking for someone with a passion for performing arts and cultural projects who will be able to contribute with their skills and experience to the technical capabilities and design sensibilities that we offer to our clients, our fellow design teams, and project stakeholders.

Acousticians have a key role in establishing the performance and perception of spaces. Charcoalblue champions the position of sound in our environment. You will have direct influence over issues such as the size, scale and geometry of spaces, materials and finishes, building massing, construction materials and detailing, building systems equipment locations and distribution strategies, detailing of noise control means and methods. Communicating design rationale to other team members and to clients, architects, and engineers will be a key aspect of the role.

You will report to one of our Directors or Associate Directors who will manage project assignments and workload. You will have the chance to meet regularly with your line manager to ensure you are fully supported in your role.
Supporting projects in other parts of the world will rely upon communication with Charcoalblue designers and external consultants in other time zones, including extensive use of video conferencing. In-person presence at project sites for measurement, construction observation and commissioning will be expected. Design meetings may be regularly held in-person and there may be some expectation for internal, in-person collaboration sessions in the London studio, on the South Bank.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicate with clients, users, contractors, and design teams about acoustic requirements. Present design recommendations through narrative descriptions and diagrams.
  
• Contribute to the development and communication of project goals, especially the acoustic aesthetics, but also including broader design considerations (cost, sustainability, etc.).
  
• Establish acoustic criteria appropriate for the project requirements and anticipated uses and expectations.
  
• Visit buildings to subjectively and objectively evaluate the acoustic characteristics. Use measurement equipment to gather data according to technical standards.
  
• Conduct room acoustic analysis and calculations to develop and justify design decisions, including computer-based room acoustic modelling, geometric analysis, and processing of measured data.
  
• Perform sound separation analysis to recommend appropriate construction types and details to meet target performance.
  
• Analyse and calculate predicted noise levels in building systems and provide design guidance and recommendations to meet target performance.
  
• Contribute to project documentation through drawn information, including conceptual diagrams and construction details.
  
• Contribute to the specification language related to acoustic requirements.
  
• Review the drawings and specifications of other consultants and evaluate acoustic performance and adherence to acoustic goals.
  
• Participate in site visits for construction progress and building commissioning.
  
• Communicate the intent and purpose of acoustic recommendations while adjusting communication styles for different audiences - client teams, other creative designers, engineers, building contractors, etc.
  
• Work with our Team Leaders to set out project work plans, goals, and deliverables. Contribute to the overall design and construction management of projects, including commenting on costs and risks.
  
• Work with our internal design team to present a holistic design solution which balances all aspects of performance functionality.
  
• Contribute to the continual development of our internal design, technical and training resources.
  
• Support the work of our larger team including three UK-based acousticians and other in the UK, US and Australia.
  
• Contribute to winning new work through proposal writing, contributing to competitions, and attending gatherings to represent Charcoalblue in the broader industry.
  
  

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

Qualifications and Key Skills

We value diverse experiences and educational backgrounds. If you meet most of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply. At Charcoalblue, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive.

Essential

• At least 4 years’ experience working in an acoustics consultancy, with experience in building acoustics and environmental acoustics, or related experience
• Have education or professional experience in the physics of sound, noise, and vibration, including standard metrics and their derivation
• Experience in technical drawing in a CAD package such as AutoCAD or two-dimensional drawings. Knowledge of technical and architectural drawing standards.
• Experience with creating 3D models for acoustic analysis using software like Sketchup and/or Rhinoceros.
• Experience in room acoustic analysis using software such as CATT-Acoustic or Odeon.
• Critical listening skills; ability to discuss and communicate ideas about sound in built environment
• Writing and editing skills, including familiarity with the standard suite of Microsoft Office products. Our written work is an integral part of Charcoalblue’s profile, so a high degree of literacy is important.
• Practical experience in acoustic measurement procedures and familiarity with standards.
• Skills in data manipulation and calculation, in spreadsheet and/or programming platforms.
• Knowledge of acoustics regulations, industry guidance, planning policy, and sustainability standards.
• The ability to collaborate, self-manage and set work plans for the successful delivery of work against deadlines.
• Proven ability to manage and contribute to multiple projects simultaneously, while effectively balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Enthusiasm in pursuing continuous personal and professional development.
• Full member of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) or other Acoustic Society
• Parametric modelling with Rhinoceros and Grasshopper.
  
• BIM modelling with Revit.
  
• Auralisation techniques, the use of Max/MSP and knowledge of 3D audio such as ambisonics or binaural processing.
  
• Coding and scripting for data analysis.
  
• Licensed Driver.
  
• Experience using acoustics analysis software such as INSUL and SoundPLAN.
  
• Experience or interest in construction, building science, and architectural design, including the design process and the roles of an architectural design team.
  
• Skill and sensitivity to graphic design and layout, graphical display of information, adhering to design standards, and incorporating corporate branding.
  
• Experience and interest in live performance, music, broadcast, and/or events.
  
• Performing arts knowledge and experience, especially performing in musical ensembles or in theatrical productions or undertaking technical roles in productions.
• Completion of a degree or diploma in acoustics or other related technical subject.
  

This role is being offered as a permanent, full-time role.

Our standard full-time working week is 40 hours, flexible between 8am and 8pm Monday-Friday, 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 working model, meaning you will work from your home, or other place of your choosing, with regular working hours at one of our UK studios (London or Bristol). Additionally, some site visits and project meetings may be in person, as required.

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, the successful applicant must be based in the UK to effectively meet the current needs of our work and local team, and you should be able and willing to travel to external meetings and our UK studio/s regularly as required, with notice.

ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT

Take-What-You-Need (TWYN) Leave Policy: With prior arrangement, there is an opportunity for employees to benefit from additional paid leave days over their statutory holiday/annual leave allowance. You will receive 20 days’ annual leave minimum per annum (prorated in the first year and also prorated in a part-time position), plus statutory Bank Holidays.
We traditionally close our studios between Christmas and New Year’s Day, resulting in an additional average 4-5 holiday days per annum.

Employee 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.
• 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.

Start Date

May 2025

The salary range for this role is £35,000-£47,000 per annum.

Please state your salary expectations in your covering letter in line with your experience.

Charcoalblue intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. Base pay is one part of the total rewards that Charcoalblue provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Charcoalblue provides a robust benefits package to help support you physically, financially, and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit our careers page for more details.

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 Ashleigh Staddon at [e-mail]. 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.