At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead archaeological projects, provide expert advice, and manage complex cases across Essex.
- Company: Join a dynamic team dedicated to preserving our historic environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days holiday, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working with a mix of home and site visits.
- Why this job: Elevate your archaeology career while making a real impact on heritage conservation.
- Qualifications: Experience in archaeology and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55706 - 55706 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
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...
Principal Archaeologist, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values your expertise and offers a supportive work culture, where you can thrive as a Principal Archaeologist in Chelmsford. With flexible working arrangements, a commitment to professional development, and a focus on sustainable practices, you'll have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while enjoying a generous benefits package, including 27 days of annual leave. This role not only allows you to shape the future of heritage conservation but also fosters strong relationships with clients and colleagues across Essex and beyond.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Archaeologist, Chelmsford
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with fellow archaeologists and industry professionals. Attend local events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can lead to job opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Create a portfolio that highlights your best work and projects. Whether it’s reports, presentations, or case studies, having tangible evidence of your skills will make you stand out. Don’t forget to share this on your professional profiles!
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their projects. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing complex projects and stakeholder relationships. Confidence is key!
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply directly through our website. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Archaeologist, Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Archaeologist role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in managing complex projects and providing expert archaeological advice. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about archaeology and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention your leadership experience and any successful projects you've led.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical expertise in archaeology. Whether it's your experience with heritage assessments or managing historic environment data, we want to know how you can bring value to our services.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your archaeological knowledge, especially regarding the latest trends and techniques in the field. Familiarise yourself with the specific projects and challenges faced by the company, as well as their approach to sustainable development and environmental protection.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Archaeologist, you'll be leading a team and managing complex projects. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you've managed teams, and any successful projects you've overseen. Highlight your ability to balance commercial growth with high-quality service delivery.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of examples where you've had to manage multiple stakeholders or navigate sensitive cases. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Engage with your interviewers by asking insightful questions about their work and the team dynamics. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values and working style.
