Head of Monument Conservation in Merthyr Tydfil

Overview

The Welsh Government operates name-free recruitment. The recruiting panel will not see personal information such as a candidate’s name and address during the sifting process. This policy is in line with our commitment to end bias and promote equality and diversity.

Vacancy details

• Advertising basis: Permanent
• Salary: Grade 7 £61,098 to £73,057
• Location: Pan Wales (the post holder can be based in any Welsh Government office, subject to business needs).
• Travel between home and the assigned Welsh Government office is considered ordinary commute and is in the candidate’s own time and at their own cost.
• Work pattern: Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
• Group: Education, Culture and Welsh Language
• Directorate: Cadw
• Branch: Properties in Care
• Travel and location notes: Welsh Government offices are listed at www.gov.wales/welsh-government-offices. A preference for a specific office location may not always be possible. A list of Welsh Government offices is available online.
• The post requires travel across Wales and regular overnight stays for meetings.
• A full driving licence is required as many Cadw sites are not easily accessible by public transport.
• Post date/time: 15/05/2026, 16:00
• Vetting level: Basic
• Number of posts: 1
• Contact: cadw.hr@gov.wales
• Welsh language requirements: Welsh language skills are desirable but not essential.
• Interview location: In-person interview at the Welsh Government building, Merthyr. A presentation on Experience 1 will be required at interview stage.

Purpose of post

This role is responsible for ensuring Cadw’s 132 historic monuments across Wales, in state care, are in good condition, accessible, and safe for visitors. It includes developing a robust in-house direct labour craft team of masons and joiners, including trainees, into a well-trained team. There are approximately 30 people in this team, mostly craft skilled masons and joiners.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of ~30 people dedicated to the conservation of Cadw’s monuments and their setting.
• Ensure clear work priorities, quarterly progress monitoring, robust training and development plans, and access to resources and equipment.
• Develop a robust system to monitor the condition of Cadw’s monuments and plan a three-year rolling programme of prioritized conservation work and budget, using in-house teams or external consultants/contractors as needed.
• Ensure briefs or invitations to tender for condition reporting or digital measured surveys are clear and benchmarked to industry standards.
• Review the SafetyCulture inspection system to log condition issues and ensure value.
• Lead on climate mitigation and adaptation for Cadw’s monuments in care.
• Manage the team’s annual spend within the approved budget.
• Collaborate with the Head of Conservation Projects to ensure new projects are based on accurate monument condition data.
• Collaborate with the Head of Health and Safety to ensure safety issues are addressed in work programmes.
• Oversee the deployment of Conservation Design and Project Manager and Historic Monuments Ground Manager within the team.
• Recruit effectively to minimise vacancies and manage people-related issues efficiently.
• Directly procure, or support procurement of, external consultants or contractors for maintenance and remedial conservation projects, ensuring best value and quality.
• Develop and maintain a trainee programme for masons and joiners.
• Maintain relationships with comparable posts in other UK heritage organisations to share best practice.

Qualifications and experience

The successful candidate will be educated to degree level or hold a postgraduate qualification in a discipline related to historic building conservation and be a full member or eligible to be a full member of a relevant professional body (ARB, CIOB, RICS or IHBC).

Application information

How to apply: All applications must be made online. The vacancy is closed to applications at present. Visa sponsorship information is provided in the advert. Applications are encouraged from diverse backgrounds. If you need an alternative format or recruitment adjustments, contact us. For support about the application process, contact the recruitment team.

Other information

All Welsh Government staff are Civil Service members with associated benefits (e.g., annual leave, training, Cycle2Work, Smart Working, Green Car Scheme).