Principal Conservation Officer, Oxford Street Development Corporation

The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm and safer, cleaner streets, and to support high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving.

About the role

The Oxford Street Development Corporation is establishing a new planning service for one of Central London’s most significant and high-profile locations. As Principal Conservation Officer, you will play a leading role in shaping heritage and conservation outcomes across the OSDC area, which contains a significant number of designated and non-designated heritage assets. You will provide specialist conservation and heritage advice across the planning service, leading on listed building and wider heritage matters, advising on pre-application proposals, planning applications and enforcement issues, and helping to ensure that change is managed positively and sensitively. The role is integral to the effective delivery of the planning function and to supporting the Mayor’s ambitions for the Oxford Street area.

What your day will look like:

• Lead on heritage and conservation matters across OSDC’s planning service.
• Manage a caseload of heritage related applications and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Advise on pre-application enquiries, planning applications and enforcement matters affecting heritage assets.
• Assess proposals for their impact on significance, setting and townscape, and advise on policy compliance and opportunities for enhancement.
• Build effective working relationships with applicants, agents, Historic England, local authorities, amenity societies, community groups and other stakeholders.
• Provide heritage advice and briefings to members, officers and senior management, including attendance at Planning Committee where required.
• Contribute to the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan and wider service improvement.

Skills, knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, or equivalent relevant education, skills and experience.
• Experience of managing a caseload of heritage related planning applications, including listed building applications and associated consents.
• Strong understanding of heritage legislation, planning policy, architectural history and statutory development management processes.
• Good understanding of the working environment of a local planning authority.
• Strong communication, analytical and negotiation skills, with the ability to balance heritage considerations with wider planning and regeneration objectives.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London’s diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.