At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead archaeological projects and drive commercial growth in historic environment services.
- Company: Dynamic heritage organisation committed to sustainable development and environmental protection.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, wellbeing support, and discounts on travel and retail.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in preserving history while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified archaeologist with strong leadership and project management experience.
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* (contractually based at Chelmsford office, with one day per week attendance; flexibility for home‑working and site visits across the operational area as required)
Closing Date: 9th June 2026
Key Responsibilities
- 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, representing the service at hearings, examinations in public and inquiries, delivering heritage assessments and overseeing major historic environment data, records and survey work, including the development of new tools and approaches.
- Managing complex projects and contracts involving multiple stakeholders, ensuring delivery against budgets, specifications and performance measures.
- Driving 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, lead archaeological advice to local planning authorities throughout Essex, St Albans, Sussex and the South Downs National Park, provide authoritative advice to council members, senior officers, clients and internal teams, build client and partner relationships, support effective team working, line‑manage consultants and contribute to skills development through training and professional learning.
Requirements
- Must be a qualified archaeologist with substantial experience in historic environment services and strong leadership and commercial skills.
- Must hold a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle or alternative mobility means.
- Proven project and contract management experience with multiple stakeholders.
Benefits
- Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum (plus bank holidays), with the possibility of buying additional leave.
- Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
- Employee wellbeing and counselling provision.
- Volunteering leave.
- Eye care vouchers.
- Travel discounts and season ticket loans.
- Retail and restaurant discounts and cashback on purchases.
Principal Archaeologist: Heritage Strategy & Growth in Essex employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
As a Principal Archaeologist with us, you will thrive in a supportive and flexible work environment that values your expertise and commitment to sustainable heritage practices. Our Essex-based team offers a unique blend of professional growth opportunities, competitive benefits, and a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, ensuring you can balance your career ambitions with personal fulfilment. Join us to lead impactful projects while enjoying the flexibility of home-working and a collaborative culture that champions innovation and teamwork.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Archaeologist: Heritage Strategy & Growth in Essex
✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements in historic environment services. This will not only impress potential employers but also give you confidence when discussing your experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their goals, especially in terms of sustainable development and commercial growth. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications and updates!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Archaeologist: Heritage Strategy & Growth in Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Archaeologist role. Highlight your experience in historic environment services and any leadership roles you've had. 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 mission at StudySmarter. Keep it engaging and relevant to the job description.
Showcase Your Project Management Skills:Since this role involves managing complex projects, be sure to include specific examples of your project management experience. We love seeing how you've successfully navigated challenges and delivered results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your archaeological knowledge, especially around heritage strategy and growth. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in historic environment services and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their efficiency and sustainability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Archaeologist, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed projects and teams in the past. Highlight your experience in balancing commercial growth with environmental protection, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Complex Scenarios
Expect questions about managing complex cases and stakeholder relationships. Think of specific instances where you've navigated challenges in project management or client relations, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Mindset
Since driving new business activity is key, come prepared with ideas on how to identify opportunities and secure clients. Discuss any previous experiences with bids and tenders, and how you can embed a strong commercial mindset within the team.
