Principal Heritage Consultant

The Opportunity

Perhaps you're enjoying your current role but feel ready for something with greater variety, more influence or the chance to work on projects that genuinely shape places and communities.

We're working with a well-established environmental and heritage consultancy looking to appoint an experienced Principal Heritage Consultant to help lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of heritage and planning projects across the UK.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative and growing team where you'll have the autonomy to manage your own projects, contribute to major infrastructure and development schemes, and help shape the future of the heritage team through mentoring and technical leadership.

Whether your expertise lies in built heritage consultancy or archaeological fieldwork, you'll play a key role in delivering high-quality advice that supports sustainable development while protecting our historic environment.

The Company

Our client is an independent multidisciplinary consultancy with an excellent reputation for delivering thoughtful, commercially informed environmental and heritage advice.

Their heritage specialists work alongside ecologists, planners and environmental professionals on projects ranging from residential and commercial developments to nationally significant infrastructure schemes. Collaboration is central to the way they work, creating an environment where knowledge is shared, ideas are valued and individuals are trusted to take ownership of their work.

The business continues to grow steadily while maintaining a supportive and approachable culture where professional development is genuinely encouraged.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll lead the delivery of heritage consultancy projects from initial instruction through to completion, working closely with clients, planning authorities and multidisciplinary teams.

Your work will include:

• Preparing and reviewing Heritage Statements, Desk-Based Assessments, Heritage Impact Assessments and Written Schemes of Investigation.
• Managing projects, budgets and client relationships from start to finish.
• Undertaking site visits, historic environment assessments and technical reporting.
• Supporting fee proposals and tender submissions.
• Producing mapping and figures using ArcGIS.
• Mentoring junior colleagues and providing technical guidance across the team.
• Working collaboratively with specialists across environmental disciplines.

If your background is in archaeological fieldwork, you'll also oversee watching briefs and evaluation projects through an established network of trusted subcontractors, with occasional opportunities to undertake fieldwork where appropriate.

About You

You'll already be operating at Senior or Principal level within a heritage consultancy, local authority or related organisation and will be confident managing projects independently.

You'll bring strong technical knowledge of UK heritage legislation and planning policy together with excellent report writing and project management skills.

You'll likely hold a degree in Archaeology, Heritage or a related discipline and be a member of CIfA, IHBC or another relevant professional body, or be working towards membership.

Most importantly, you'll enjoy working collaboratively, building lasting client relationships and helping develop the next generation of heritage professionals.

What's on Offer

This is a role offering genuine flexibility alongside interesting and meaningful work.

You'll benefit from:

• Hybrid and remote working.
• A flexible base across the Midlands, Northern England or Southern Scotland.
• The opportunity to work on nationally significant and locally important heritage projects.
• A supportive, collaborative and experienced team.
• Clear opportunities for career progression and leadership.
• Ongoing professional development, mentoring and support for professional memberships.
• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Location & Flexibility

The role can be based anywhere across the Midlands, Northern England or Southern Scotland, with hybrid and remote working arrangements available. Travel to project sites and occasional overnight stays will be required when needed.

Interested?

If you're curious about what this opportunity could offer—even if you're not actively looking—we'd be delighted to have a confidential conversation.

To find out more or apply, please contact Ocean to Earth Recruitment. We'd be happy to talk through the role, your experience and what you're looking for next.