Principal Design and Conservation Officer (Career Grade) in London

Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.

An exciting opportunity for a Principal Design and Conservation Officer to play a key role in one of London’s most progressive and exciting boroughs. Lewisham is undergoing huge transformation with unparalleled levels of inclusive and sustainable growth. With major developments in Catford, Lewisham, Deptford, New Cross and others across the borough, award-winning schemes, parks and regeneration projects, Creative Enterprise Zone Status and key transport projects such as Lewisham Station, East London Line upgrade and the future Bakerloo Line extension, the transformation is well underway.

At the heart of the borough’s inclusive and sustainable growth is recognition of the importance of our heritage assets and the value these can add to existing and future residents, businesses and visitors. We understand that heritage is a fundamental component of achieving good growth and an inherent part of successful change in the borough. Lewisham contains a significant number of historic assets including 27 diverse conservation areas such as Blackheath, Deptford High Street, Forest Hill and Brockley. It also contains over 540 statutory listed buildings and 600 locally listed buildings. We have an excellent track record in delivering heritage led regeneration schemes such as Beckenham Place Park, the Fellowship Inn, Catford Broadway Theatre and Catford House to name just a few.

The Principal Design & Conservation Officer will lead heritage input into the place making, plan making and development management functions of the service. The successful candidate will work within our multi-disciplinary Strategic Planning team to guide change within the borough. The work we have is diverse, exciting and challenging and you will be working with a friendly team that is dedicated, positive and focussed on quality and high performance.

Your responsibilities will include:

• To lead on the provision of specialist building conservation and design advice and to properly consider the borough’s heritage in the delivery of its development management function and other activities.
• To provide specialist conservation advice and professional input to planning policies in respect of the historic environment.
• To lead on proactive conservation projects, manage the preparation of conservation SPDs, and contribute to other urban design and regeneration projects in the borough.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, day-to-day supervision and line-management of more junior officers, promoting consistent, high-quality policy work, advice and constructive engagement with applicants, stakeholders and the community.

What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance
• Local Government Pension scheme
• Flexible working and family friendly policies
• Season ticket and bicycle loans
• A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
• Supportive staff networks

We are looking for a Principal Design and Conservation Officer who brings a forward-thinking and progressive approach to the stewardship of heritage in a practical, modern way. The right person will understand traditional conservation but also be open to new ideas, using technology, fresh thinking, and sustainable approaches. They should be confident in working with communities and partners, making heritage more inclusive and relevant to a wide range of people. We want someone who can balance caring for the past with supporting positive change, helping heritage play an active role in shaping vibrant, resilient places for the future.

The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.

Relevant fully trained degree or postgraduate town planning and/or historic building conservation or architecture qualification is needed. Membership of a recognised professional body (IHBC, RIBA, RTPI) is required.

The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.

Diversity Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.