Heritage Advisor

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We’re excited to welcome a new Heritage Advisor at our East Midlands location. Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

Closing date: 8th April. Interview Date: Week commencing 20th April. Interviews will be held face to face in Newark.

Working Hours & Location: Part time 22.5 hours per week. Home working, with a reporting location of Newark. The role will cover the network in the East Midlands. Candidates should be based in the Midlands or within reasonable travelling distance, as the role involves frequent travel across the region. As the role is Midlands‑based, regular attendance in Birmingham will also be required.

Role Overview: The Heritage and Collections team works to support the Trust’s wider mission by conserving and enhancing the heritage of the inland waterway network. The team seeks practical and innovative ways to balance the modern use of the waterways with their historical significance, while meeting the Trust’s legal responsibilities and strategic priorities through sustainable development, conservation, and the improvement of the built environment.

Working alongside the Heritage Team Manager (Midlands), the postholder will provide technical heritage support to colleagues across multiple teams, including asset engineers, geotechnical specialists, project managers, contract managers, contractors, community engagement managers, and the communications team. Responsibilities will include reviewing environmental appraisals, advising on planning requirements and appropriate mitigation, and collaborating with conservation officers and heritage stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities:

• Provide informed advice, guidance and support to the Trust departments, covering heritage assets and the wider historic environment to ensure high standards of repair and conservation.
• Support the delivery of heritage policy and projects.
• In line with internal consultation and referral procedures, provide informed advice to the National Spatial Planning Team on relevant consultations, the identification of local assets for protection through local planning policies, and the impact and acceptability, in relevant legal and policy terms of third party development proposals on designated and non designated waterway heritage assets.
• Perform research, site visits, assessments and recording of heritage assets, identify impacts on the historic environment and report heritage incidents.
• Negotiate heritage consents, monitor heritage works, demonstrate best conservation practice and ensure works are legally compliant, to safeguard the reputation of the Trust.
• Deliver awareness-raising training, toolbox talks and facilitate practical training for the Trust staff, volunteers, contractors and stakeholder or community groups.
• Work with the Trust's fundraising and Enterprise teams to help secure additional resources for the Trust.
• Work with volunteers within their area of expertise. Act as focal point with specific knowledge of a heritage specialism for the Trust.
• Commission and instruct heritage consultants to carry out specified works or written heritage assessments, surveys or other reports as required for the Trust projects or works.
• Comply with international, national and the Trust's heritage policy and standards to ensure the Trust's heritage advice and support service is up to date and effective.
• Use the Trust's business systems and ensure all relevant information and heritage reporting data is input in a timely, consistent and accurate manner.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times.
• Ensure diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviours, practices actions or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust's policies and behaviours.

About you: This role sits within the Heritage and Collections team, and we are looking for a professional with experience in the heritage sector and a strong understanding of both the practical and regulatory aspects of built heritage conservation. This expertise should be supported by a genuine passion for the subject.

The successful candidate may have previously worked as a local authority conservation officer or within a third‑sector heritage organisation, a heritage regulator, or a consultancy. As the Trust recognises that waterways heritage is a key part of the user experience, the role requires someone who can engage confidently and collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels, using excellent communication skills.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Heritage: Degree or Postgraduate qualification (PG Dip, MA, MSc, PhD) in heritage conservation or equivalent in heritage discipline. Full membership of professional institute (IHBC, ClfA, RTPI, RICS) or associate membership is strongly desired.
• Technical: Experience of working in an historic environment and dealing with heritage assets. An interest in historic waterways, historic vessels or industrial archaeology. Proven experience in application of specialist knowledge within a business environment. Ability to interact effectively with individuals and bodies in the heritage sector. Ability to perform research, assessment and recording of heritage assets. Expert and current knowledge of heritage legislation and guidance for England. Ability to evaluate and comment on design and development proposals for heritage assets. Working knowledge of conservation principles and philosophy and of historic building construction and appropriate methods of conservation and repair. Able to analyse and identify impacts of proposals and develop appropriate mitigations and controls. Able to influence/ negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• General: Good communicator to a range of audiences, ability to adapt style and content as appropriate to audience. Effective IT skills - familiar with and adept in working in a variety of media including GIS skills. Considers Health & Safety in all aspects of work. Driving is integral to the role - driving licence is essential and use of your own vehicle.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

What We Offer: We offer an annual salary of £33,675 pro rata, plus £390 cash car allowance per month (pro rata). Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits.