At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage listed building applications and provide expert heritage advice.
- Company: Join Cheltenham Borough Council, an award-winning and forward-thinking organisation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and a healthy work/life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by preserving your town's heritage and working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Building Conservation or related field; strong knowledge of architectural history.
The predicted salary is between 32597 - 34434 £ per year.
Are you passionate about protecting historic buildings and preserving your town's heritage? Cheltenham Borough Council has an exciting opportunity for a Conservation Officer!
Location: Cheltenham
Salary: £32,597 - £34,434 (pay award pending wef 1 April 2026)
Job Type: Full-time, permanent
Closing Date: 13 September 2026
Come and work for an award-winning organisation! We are an ambitious and forward-thinking council. We are committed to making Cheltenham a better place to live and work, enabling communities and businesses to thrive whilst protecting what is good about our town. We aim to be an employer of choice where everyone is treated fairly and feels valued and respected. We aim to provide a stimulating and rewarding working environment that encourages our people to work together, provides opportunities for them to reach their full potential and achieve a healthy work/life balance. Working at Cheltenham Borough Council means working as part of a committed, professional, and friendly team.
Conservation Officer - The Role:
You will manage a varied caseload of listed building consent applications, providing specialist heritage advice to colleagues, applicants, and stakeholders. Your day-to-day work will include validating applications, conducting site inspections, negotiating with developers and their agents, consulting with specialists, and preparing detailed reports. You will present applications to Planning Committee, represent the council at appeals, and advise the public on conservation matters. You will work proactively to identify heritage issues and develop practical solutions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage your own caseload of listed building consent applications and pre-applications, including validation, site inspections, negotiations, consultations and report preparation.
- Present applications to Planning Committee and provide heritage advice to council members and officers on planning matters affecting heritage assets.
- Represent the council at appeal hearings and public inquiries on heritage matters, and provide expert witness evidence when required.
- Act as a specialist consultant to development management colleagues on planning applications that may impact heritage assets.
- Advise architects, agents, professionals and the public on conservation areas, listed buildings and the planning process.
- Contribute to conservation projects including conservation area appraisals and planning policy documents.
You:
- Degree in Building Conservation or closely related discipline.
- Professional membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (desirable).
- Strong knowledge of architectural history, traditional building materials, and restoration methods for historic buildings.
- Thorough understanding of listed building legislation, conservation policy, guidance and current heritage management issues.
- Excellent communication skills at all levels including public, colleagues, members and professionals, with strong presentation abilities.
- Customer-focused, proactive and self-motivated with ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong negotiation skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain clear methodical records.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to understand scaled plans and drawings.
- Creative problem-solver with flexible approach and commitment to delivering high-quality service.
Benefits:
- An excellent pension scheme. You will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- A generous holiday entitlement of 26 days (pro rata) rising to 31 days (pro rata) after five years.
Conservation Officer in London employer: Cheltenham Borough Council
Cheltenham Borough Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents through safe and sustainable housing. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, generous holiday entitlements, and a flexible working environment, we foster a culture of growth and development. Join us as a Small Works Surveyor and make a meaningful impact in your community while enjoying comprehensive benefits and support.
Contact Details:
Cheltenham Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Conservation Officer in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
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We think you need these skills to ace Conservation Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Cheltenham Borough Council!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Cheltenham Borough Council. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheltenham Borough Council
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
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In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Cheltenham Borough Council.
