At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead archaeological projects and provide expert advice across planning processes.
- Company: Essex County Council, a leader in heritage and environmental services.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Mobile role with opportunities for professional development and team collaboration.
- Why this job: Elevate your archaeology career while making a real impact on historic preservation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in archaeology and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 55706 - 55706 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
Up to £55,706 per annum + benefits
Location: Essex
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 9th June 2026
Whilst contractually based at our Chelmsford office, with attendance expected one day per week, there is flexibility for home-working alongside site visits across our operational area as required.
Fantastic opportunity to take your archaeology career to the next level and combine technical expertise with leadership. You will lead the delivery and commercial growth of Place Service’s traded historic environment services, ensuring they are efficient, high-quality and financially sustainable. You will balance income generation with a strong commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection and the long-term success of the Historic Environment specialism.
You will provide expert archaeological advice across the full planning lifecycle, managing the most complex and sensitive cases. This includes representing the service at hearings, examinations in public and inquiries, delivering high‑quality heritage assessments, and overseeing major historic environment data, records and survey work, including the development of new tools and approaches.
You will manage complex projects and contracts involving multiple stakeholders, ensuring delivery against agreed budgets, specifications and performance measures. You will also drive new business activity by identifying opportunities, securing new clients and leading bids and tenders for high‑value work, embedding a strong commercial mindset within the team.
As a team lead, you will manage five line-reports. You will lead on archaeological advice to local planning authorities throughout Essex, St Albans, Sussex and the South Downs National Park. As the discipline lead and subject matter expert, you will provide authoritative advice to Council members, senior officers, clients and internal teams.
You will build strong client and partner relationships, support effective team working, line manage consultants and contribute to skills development across the sector through training and professional learning, while supporting planning authorities in meeting their statutory duties relating to heritage assets and the wider historic environment.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Your benefits package includes:
- Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum (plus bank holidays), with the opportunity to buy additional annual leave
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Employee Wellbeing and counselling provision
- Volunteering leave
- Eye care vouchers
- Travel discounts and season ticket loans
- Retail and restaurant discounts and cashback on purchases
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Principal Archaeologist in Chelmsford employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary alongside a comprehensive benefits package including generous holiday entitlement, a Local Government Pension Scheme, and flexible working arrangements. With a strong commitment to sustainable development and community engagement, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the historic environment sector while enjoying a supportive and inclusive work culture that values integrity and ethical behaviour.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Archaeologist in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with fellow archaeologists and industry professionals. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work, including any complex projects or innovative approaches you've led. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate how you can bring value to the role of Principal Archaeologist.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your own. We want you to walk in confidently, ready to discuss how your skills can help them achieve their goals in the historic environment sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our process. Let’s get you that Principal Archaeologist role!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Archaeologist in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in archaeology and project management. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Principal Archaeologist, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a team lead, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire others. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past, and how you can bring that same energy to our team at StudySmarter.
Highlight Your Commercial Mindset:This role involves driving new business activity, so be sure to mention any experience you have in securing clients or managing budgets. We’re looking for someone who can balance income generation with sustainable practices, so let us know how you’ve done this before!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure you don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Know Your Archaeology
Brush up on your archaeological knowledge, especially regarding the historic environment services relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss recent projects or case studies that showcase your expertise and how they align with the responsibilities of a Principal Archaeologist.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a team lead, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past, focusing on your approach to collaboration, conflict resolution, and mentoring others in the field.
✨Understand the Commercial Aspect
This role involves driving new business activity, so be ready to discuss your experience with income generation and client relationships. Think of specific instances where you identified opportunities or led successful bids and tenders, and how you balanced commercial goals with sustainable practices.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You'll need to represent the service at various hearings and inquiries, so practice articulating your archaeological advice clearly and confidently. Familiarise yourself with the local planning authorities and their needs, and be ready to discuss how you can support them in meeting their statutory duties.
