Principal Archaeological Consultant

York | Hybrid Working | Full or Part Time

The Opportunity

If you've built your career managing archaeological fieldwork and are starting to think about what comes next, this could be an excellent opportunity to broaden your experience and move into consultancy without losing touch with the practical side of archaeology.

We're working with one of the UK's fastest-growing environment-led consultancies to find a Principal Archaeological Consultant to join their expanding Historic Environment team. This role has been designed for experienced field archaeologists who enjoy project leadership, stakeholder engagement and problem-solving, and are ready to develop wider consultancy skills within a supportive and multidisciplinary environment.

You'll play a key role on nationally significant infrastructure and renewable energy projects, helping to shape the delivery of major developments while protecting and enhancing our historic environment. Alongside managing complex fieldwork programmes, you'll receive support and mentoring to develop expertise in heritage consultancy, planning and environmental assessment.

The Company

Our client is a well-established multidisciplinary environmental, planning and design consultancy with offices across the UK and an impressive track record of growth.

Their teams bring together expertise across planning, ecology, landscape, architecture, engineering, environmental assessment and historic environment services. Collaboration sits at the heart of the business, creating opportunities to work alongside specialists from a wide range of disciplines on some of the country's most significant development and infrastructure projects.

The culture is professional but approachable, with a strong emphasis on development, innovation and recognising individual contributions. Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their work, develop new skills and progress their careers within a supportive environment.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll initially focus on supporting the delivery of a major renewable energy Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, managing archaeological works across multiple sites and stakeholders.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Leading and coordinating archaeological fieldwork programmes from planning through to delivery.

• Managing subcontractors, project logistics, budgets and programme requirements.

• Building positive relationships with clients, local planning authorities, landowners and other stakeholders.

• Reviewing archaeological reports and ensuring high-quality outputs.

• Advising on archaeological constraints, mitigation strategies and development proposals.

• Undertaking site visits, monitoring works and attending project meetings.

• Supporting the preparation of fee proposals, tenders and business development activities.

• Developing consultancy skills including Desk-Based Assessments, Written Schemes of Investigation and contributions to Environmental Impact Assessments.

About You

You'll likely come from a commercial archaeology background and have substantial experience managing fieldwork projects, ideally at Project Officer level or above.

You'll bring:

• Strong archaeological fieldwork and project management experience.

• Confidence managing multiple stakeholders and project teams.

• A solid understanding of UK archaeology and the planning process.

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

• Experience coordinating large-scale excavation programmes.

• A collaborative and commercially aware approach.

• Membership of CIfA (or working towards it) would be advantageous.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who enjoys taking ownership, building relationships and wants to continue developing your career within a consultancy environment.

What's on Offer

This is a genuine career development opportunity within a growing and ambitious business.

Benefits include:

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

• Enhanced annual leave entitlement.

• Private medical insurance.

• Enhanced pension contribution.

• Professional membership support.

• Protected CPD and structured career development.

• Defined promotion windows each year.

• Employee bonus scheme.

• Employee assistance programme.

• Gym membership discounts.

• Cycle to Work scheme.

• Additional loyalty leave with service.

You'll also have the opportunity to work on nationally significant renewable energy, infrastructure and development projects that are helping to shape the future of the UK's built and natural environment.

Location & Flexibility

The role is based from the York office with a hybrid working arrangement. Travel to project sites across the UK will be required, so a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Both full-time and part-time applications will be considered.

Interested?

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is proud to be supporting our client with this appointment.

If you'd like to find out more, we'd be happy to have a confidential conversation about the opportunity, the team and how the role could fit with your career plans.

Please apply below or send your CV to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk or get in touch for an informal discussion on 07341 020135.

Ocean to Earth Recruitment Ltd
01458 898202 | 07341 020135
vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk