At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead heritage conservation projects and provide expert design advice for community development.
- Company: Lewisham Council, a progressive and inclusive local authority in London.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, pension scheme, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vibrant communities while preserving cultural heritage.
- Qualifications: Degree in planning, conservation, or architecture; membership of a professional body required.
The predicted salary is between 55353 - 59574 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
An exciting opportunity for a Principal Design and Conservation Officer to play a key role in one of London’s most progressive and exciting boroughs. Lewisham is undergoing huge transformation with unparalleled levels of inclusive and sustainable growth. With major developments in Catford, Lewisham, Deptford, New Cross and other areas across the borough, award‑winning schemes, parks and regeneration projects, Creative Enterprise Zone Status and key transport projects such as Lewisham Station, East London Line upgrade and the future Bakerloo Line extension, the transformation is well underway.
At the heart of the borough’s inclusive and sustainable strategy is recognition of the importance of our heritage assets and the value these can add to existing and future residents, businesses and visitors. Heritage is a fundamental component of achieving good growth and an intrinsic part of successful change in the borough. Lewisham contains a significant number of historic assets including 27 diverse conservation areas such as Blackheath, Deptford High Street, Forest Hill and Brookley, and over 540 statutory listed buildings and 600 locally listed buildings. We have an excellent track record in delivering heritage‑led regeneration schemes such as Beckenham Place Park, the Fellowship Inn, Catford Broadway Theatre and Catford House.
The Principal Design & Conservation Officer will lead heritage input into the place‑making, plan‑making and development management functions of the service. The successful candidate will work within our multi‑disciplinary Strategic Planning team to guide change within the borough. They will lead on the provision of specialist building conservation and design advice and properly consider the borough’s heritage in the delivery of its development management function and other activities. They will provide specialist conservation advice and professional input to planning policies in respect of the historic environment. They will lead on proactive conservation projects, manage the preparation of conservation SPDs, and contribute to other urban design and regeneration projects in the borough. Additionally, they will provide technical guidance, mentoring, day‑to‑day supervision and line‑management of more junior officers, promoting consistent, high‑quality policy work, advice and constructive engagement with applicants, stakeholders and the community.
What’s in it for you?
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family‑friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
We are looking for a Principal Design and Conservation Officer who brings a forward‑thinking and progressive approach to the stewardship of heritage in a practical, modern way. The right person will understand traditional conservation but also be open to new ideas, using technology, fresh thinking and sustainable approaches. They should be confident in working with communities and partners, making heritage more inclusive and relevant to a wide range of people. They will balance caring for the past with supporting positive change, helping heritage play an active role in shaping vibrant, resilient places for the future.
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Relevant fully trained degree or postgraduate town planning and/or historic building conservation or architecture qualification is needed. Membership of a recognised professional body (IHBC, RIBA, RTPI) is required.
Salary: £55,353-£59,574 per annum (PO5‑PO6 Career Grade). All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to support disabled applicants and those with health conditions throughout the recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
Lead Design & Heritage Conservation Officer employer: Lewisham Council
Lewisham Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where your contributions directly impact the vibrant and diverse communities of Lewisham. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide generous holiday allowances, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive culture that fosters professional growth through mentoring and collaboration. Join us in shaping the future of heritage conservation in one of London's most progressive boroughs, where innovation meets tradition in a truly inclusive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Design & Heritage Conservation Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the design and conservation field. Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for heritage! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your enthusiasm for preserving and enhancing cultural assets. Share your ideas on how to make heritage more inclusive and relevant – it’ll set you apart from the crowd!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Lewisham’s key projects and conservation areas. Familiarise yourself with their recent developments and think about how your skills can contribute to their ongoing transformation. This will show that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the borough.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, go ahead and submit your application – we can’t wait to hear from you!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Design & Heritage Conservation Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Heritage:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for heritage conservation shine through! We want to see how you connect with Lewisham's rich history and how you envision making a positive impact on our vibrant communities.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in design and conservation. We’re looking for someone who understands traditional methods but is also open to innovative ideas, so don’t hold back on showcasing your unique approach!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the key responsibilities of the role. Remember, clarity helps us understand your qualifications better!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you a chance to explore more about us and the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lewisham Council
✨Know Your Heritage
Familiarise yourself with Lewisham's rich history and its diverse conservation areas. Be prepared to discuss how your understanding of heritage can influence modern design and conservation practices, showing that you can balance tradition with innovation.
✨Showcase Your Community Engagement Skills
Highlight any previous experience working with communities or stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with diverse groups to make heritage more inclusive and relevant, as this role requires strong collaboration with various partners.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Brush up on your technical knowledge related to building conservation and urban design. Be ready to provide insights into how you would approach conservation projects and contribute to planning policies, showcasing your ability to lead and mentor others in the field.
✨Embrace Modern Approaches
Be open about your willingness to incorporate new technologies and sustainable practices into heritage conservation. Discuss any innovative ideas you have for enhancing the borough’s heritage while supporting positive change, which aligns with the forward-thinking nature of the role.
