At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead heritage conservation efforts and provide expert advice on planning matters.
- Company: Nottingham City Council, committed to preserving the city's historic environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in protecting Nottingham's unique heritage while supporting growth.
- Qualifications: Degree in conservation or related field and significant experience in built heritage.
The predicted salary is between 40777 - 44075 € per year.
Contract Type: Permanent; Working Hours: 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday; Worker Type: Hybrid; Salary: Starting £40,777 (Year 1) rising to £44,075 (Year 4) plus a £5,000 per annum market supplement; Location: Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham, NG2 3NG.
About the Role
We are seeking a Principal Conservation Officer to provide expert advice and leadership on heritage and conservation matters within Nottingham City Council's Planning Service. The role is key to protecting and enhancing the city’s historic environment, ensuring that heritage considerations are fully integrated into planning decisions, regeneration projects, and policy development. You will work on a wide range of complex and high‑profile cases, including listed building consents, conservation area proposals, and enforcement matters involving heritage assets. The role requires close collaboration with developers, statutory consultees such as Historic England, and local communities to secure high‑quality, sustainable outcomes that respect Nottingham's unique historic character while supporting growth and regeneration.
About You
- A degree or postgraduate qualification in conservation, planning, architecture, or a related discipline.
- Significant experience in built heritage conservation within a planning context, including advising on planning applications and listed building consents.
- In‑depth knowledge of planning legislation, national and local policy, and guidance relating to the historic environment, along with a strong understanding of architectural history, building materials, and conservation techniques.
- Excellent analytical, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to interpret technical information, produce clear written reports, and present evidence at planning committees, appeals or public inquiries.
- Strong organisational skills, the ability to manage a varied caseload, and a collaborative approach to working with colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
- A commitment to delivering high‑quality services that put citizens first, alongside a strong understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion in service delivery.
This post is covered by the statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) (English Language Requirement for public sector workers) and therefore the ability to speak fluent English is an essential requirement for the role.
Benefits
Working for Nottingham City Council offers competitive pay, generous leave entitlement, access to a pension scheme and an inclusive, progressive work culture where everyone is supported to do and be their very best.
Closing Date 21st June 2026
Principal Place Leadership and Conservation Officer in Nottingham employer: Nottingham City Council
Nottingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With competitive salaries, generous leave entitlements, and a commitment to high-quality service delivery, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the city's heritage and conservation efforts while enjoying a hybrid working model from the vibrant location of Loxley House in Nottingham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Place Leadership and Conservation Officer in Nottingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the conservation and planning sectors. Attend local events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and achievements in heritage conservation. This will not only demonstrate your skills but also give you something tangible to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Nottingham's historic environment and current planning policies. Being knowledgeable about local issues will impress interviewers and show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our organisation right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Place Leadership and Conservation Officer in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Conservation Officer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your qualifications and experience in built heritage conservation. We want to see your knowledge of planning legislation and your ability to handle complex cases, so be specific about your past projects.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are crucial for this role, so ensure your application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language and structure your application logically to make it easy for us to follow your points.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and is considered promptly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nottingham City Council
✨Know Your Heritage
Make sure you brush up on Nottingham's historic environment and the specific conservation challenges it faces. Familiarise yourself with recent projects and policies that have been implemented by the council, as this will show your genuine interest and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
Prepare to discuss your qualifications and experience in built heritage conservation. Be ready to provide examples of past projects where you've successfully navigated planning applications or listed building consents, highlighting your analytical and negotiation skills.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since excellent communication is key for this role, practice articulating complex ideas simply and clearly. You might be asked to present evidence or reports, so consider how you can convey technical information effectively to a variety of audiences.
✨Collaborative Mindset
Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including developers and local communities. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with different parties to achieve sustainable outcomes, as this will align with the council's commitment to high-quality service delivery.
