HERITAGE AND SENIOR HERITAGE CONSULTANTS
Landscape and Conservation Management
An excellent opportunity for experienced Heritage and Senior Heritage Consultants to join our team, specifically working on landscape and conservation management projects.
About us
Cotswold Archaeology is one of the leading providers of professional archaeological and heritage services in the UK. We offer a complete archaeological service including fieldwork, post-excavation, heritage consultancy and outreach, and are committed to the maintenance and development of the highest professional standards. We believe engagement with heritage benefits individual wellbeing and are committed to increasing public awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of the past. If you share these values and believe you have something to contribute, we would like to hear from you.
The role
We are seeking experienced Heritage and Senior Heritage Consultants to join our team and contribute to understanding, conserving and managing our historic environment. The role is an exciting opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of Conservation Management Plans and monument protection ranging from individual scheduled prehistoric barrows and hillforts to industrial and modern military sites. Interpretating and recording landscapes is also a key part of the role, particularly working on landscape rewilding projects.
You will work at the cutting edge of new thinking in archaeology, heritage and conservation practice, directly contributing to improved management, access and presentation of our historic environment. You will regularly work as a part of teams of landscape architects, ecologists and arboriculturists to ensure the successful implementation of plans to dovetail and safeguard the historic and natural environments. You will need excellent project management skills with proven experience of stakeholder engagement with statutory bodies, clients, sub-contractors and the public to ensure the successful delivery of our plans.
Fundamental to the role is an understanding of heritage assets through interpretation and recording of landscapes, earthworks and built heritage. This includes the research and writing for desk-based assessments, telling the story and significance of a place. You will be experienced in the use of Lidar and GIS Pro to identify and quantify known and newly discovered heritage sites. Site survey work is a key element of the role including the use of Fieldmaps to ground-truth the results of the desk-based analysis.
The role is an exciting opportunity to provide a meaningful contribution to conserving and understanding the historic environment, working with key bodies including Historic England, Natural England, Forestry England, the Forestry Commission and the National Trust as well as private clients. You will be supporting the agendas for rewilding parts of our landscape, improving biodiversity and developing more sustainable land-management programmes. You will be part of an experienced and engaged team with a wide range of specialisms who will be able to provide support and training.
The role is hybrid, however, depending on location, home working would also be considered. Please see our other adverts for the three other locations.
About you
Currently you might be an existing heritage consultant or archaeologist carrying out a role similar to that described above. Alternatively, you may have a background in working with and managing the natural environment where cultural heritage plays a key role.
We are looking to hear from candidates with:
- Good all-round knowledge and interest in British archaeology and heritage;
- Proven experience in producing archaeological and heritage assessments;
- Proven experience in drafting and/or commissioning conservation management plans and providing advice;
- Good communication and stakeholder management skills;
- Line-management and mentoring junior colleagues;
- Experience in leading heritage projects;
- GIS proficiency, and use of Fieldmaps or equivalent;
- The ability to manage a demanding personal work schedule;
- Good ICT skills;
- Willingness and ability to commit to travel within the UK and stay away for the projects;
- A strong commitment to professional development;
- A full manual driving licence; and
- CIfA membership (minimum ACIfA level) or equivalent, or willingness to join at the required level upon appointment.
The benefits
Our competitive benefits package includes:
- A flexible approach to working both from home and office;
- Assistance with relocation if applicable;
- Company sick pay;
- Group life assurance;
- Up to 30 days annual leave (dependent on level), rising with the length of service plus Bank Holidays and Toil (where applicable);
- Internal and external training opportunities;
- Accommodation and subsistence for away projects;
- A generous contributory pension;
- Employee Assistance Programme and Smart Health (access to GPs);
- 100% of CIfA membership fees paid.
If you would like to find out more about the role please contact Jane Phimester for an informal discussion at [email protected] or on 07862 952234.
Closing date: Applications need to be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 22ndJuly 2026.
Interviews will be held at our Kemble office on 27th and 28th July 2026.
CA is an inclusive employer and will take into consideration any adjustments needed to support you. If you should require any additional support related to neurodiversity or any other reason. Please do let us know by contacting [email protected]
Main duties and responsibilities (Heritage Consultant)
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Ensure the successful completion of conservation and landscape projects, including large complex projects involving regular client liaison and the production of reports, to a very high standard.
- Desk-based collation and interpretation of Lidar data to enable the identification and interpretation of historic assets in landscape survey (ground truthing).
- Understand, interpret and record historic landscapes using GIS (Fieldmaps), and undertake assessments of visible monuments and buildings during site visits, as appropriate.
- Produce Conservation Management Plans including assessment of the condition of historic assets, management plans and options for their conservation and repair.
- Personally undertake archaeological research, desk studies, etc. for consultancy projects, and report on them, including the collection of data from depositaries such as HERs and Record Offices.
- Monitor project progress with regard to budgetary, technical, logistical, staff and health and safety issues, providing regular reports to Senior Heritage Consultants and Principal Heritage Consultants, and maintaining appropriate liaison with clients, Local Authority Advisors, and contractors.
- Prepare Written Schemes of Investigation.
- Contribute to tenders to be issued by a Senior Heritage Consultant or Principal Heritage Consultant by providing estimates of times and costs, and drafting letters.
- Liaison with specialist sub-contractors to ensure the safe and successful completion of sub-contracted elements of works, and to review specialist reports in conjunction with a Senior Heritage Consultant or Principal Heritage Consultant.
- Ensure illustrations are prepared or requisitioned, as relevant, within project timescales and to corporate standards.
- Ensure accurate maintenance of appropriate administrative records, including project digital filing, invoices and expenses, and digital timesheet entries.
- Manage personal workload effectively, ensuring all project administration, such as the completion of data searches and booking of visits to repositories and sites, is timely.
- Monitor and provide regular reports to Senior Heritage Consultants and Principal Heritage Consultants on project progress (budgetary and archaeological), logistical, staff and health and safety issues.
- Ensure that all projects are carried out in accordance with the CA Health and Safety policy, preparing risk assessments and other relevant documentation.
- Where appropriate, deputise for the Senior Heritage Consultant.
- Supervise and develop staff, ensuring their continuous improvement in performance through performance reviews, constructive feedback, initiating training, coaching and improved practices.
- Ensure effective deployment, maintenance and care of vehicles, plant and equipment, and maintain/provide accurate records ensuring accidents, damage and malfunctions are reported promptly and appropriately.
- Contribute to departmental processes and working practices via Learning Reports, feedback to Committee Representatives and/or project leaders, and discussion at performance reviews.
- Carry out any other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine from time to time.
Person specification
Essential
- Proven expertise in archaeological consultancy, combined with the ability to produce high quality reports. At least five years post-graduate experience.
- Good all-round knowledge of all aspects of the historic environment including archaeology, historic buildings, and historic landscape.
- Sound knowledge of relevant legislation concerned with the historic environment and the operation of the planning process.
- Commitment to keeping abreast of new developments, approaches and procedures in the management of the historic environment, and the ability to communicate these to colleagues.
- The ability to deal efficiently and courteously with clients of the company, officers of other bodies including Historic England and Local Planning Authorities, and members of the public.
- Ability to work under pressure to deliver complex projects to a high standard, often within a very short timescale.
- Good administrative ability in the keeping of records and accounts and the submission of reports.
- A full manual driving licence.
- Good working knowledge of MS Office suite, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists at least ACIfA, and preferably MCIfA, level. Candidates who are not already a member of the Institute must be prepared to join immediately upon appointment.
- Willingness and ability to commit to travel within the UK and stay away for the projects.
Desirable
- Experience/expertise in geographic information system packages is highly desirable.
Main duties and responsibilities (Senior Heritage Consultant)
-
Be responsible for the management, successful and safe completion of conservation and landscape projects, including the management of staff and the compilation of reports to a very high standard and project profitability.
- Desk-based collation and interpretation of Lidar data to enable the identification and interpretation of historic assets in landscape survey (ground truthing).
- Understand, interpret and record historic landscapes using GIS (Fieldmaps), and undertake assessments of visible monuments and buildings during site visits, as appropriate.
- Produce Conservation Management Plans including assessment of the condition of historic assets, management plans and options for their conservation and repair.
- Personally undertake archaeological research, desk studies, etc. for consultancy projects, and report on them, including the collection of data from depositaries such as HERs and Record Offices.
- Undertake consultancy projects, or elements of projects, including liaison with clients, consultants, and archaeological advisors to LPAs.
- Manage the completion of sub-contracted work by specialists, ensuring its safe completion on time and to a satisfactory standard.
- Develop contacts, prepare estimates, and pursue contracts on behalf of the company in order to secure and maintain a programme of work within the terms of reference of the company.
- Manage budgetary matters relating to contracts, research designs, purchase orders and payments within the limits set out in the Code of Governance.
- To manage personal workload effectively, ensuring all financial and project administration is accurate and timely.
- Manage the performance of designated staff and project teams, carrying out appraisals and devising development plans as appropriate.
- Contribute to the performance and growth of the company overall through participation in meetings, project groups and sharing of ideas and information outside of immediate remit.
- Proactively develop new business partners, follow up sales leads and pursue contracts in order to secure and maintain a healthy programme of work, including the securing of secondary contracts deriving from consultancy work (for other services offered by CA).
- Actively promote, and develop a greater public awareness and appreciation of the work of CA through displays, publications, contributions to the website, media liaison, lectures etc. and to create opportunities for other members of staff to do likewise.
- Ensure that all projects are carried out in accordance with CA Health and Safety policy, preparing risk assessments and other relevant documentation;
- Carry out any other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine from time to time.
Personal specification
Essential
- Substantial knowledge and expertise in commercial cultural heritage consultancy, including project management and client liaison.
- Expert knowledge of relevant legislation concerned with the historic environment and the operation of the planning process.
- Good all round knowledge of all aspects of the historic environment including archaeology, historic buildings, and historic landscape.
- Proven ability to keep abreast of new developments, approaches and procedures in the management of the historic environment, and to communicate these to colleagues.
- The ability to deal efficiently, diplomatically and courteously with sponsors and clients of CA, officers of other bodies, and members of the public.
- Good client and stakeholder negotiation skills.
- Membership of the Institute of Archaeologists at MIFA, level (or able to demonstrate ability to meet the requirements). Candidates who are not already a member of the Institute must be prepared to join immediately upon appointment.
- Ability to work under pressure to deliver complex projects to a high standard, often within a very short timescale.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good administrative and recordkeeping skills.
- A full manual driving licence.
- Willingness and ability to commit to travel within the UK and stay away for the projects;
- Competent is the use of Microsoft Office and ICT.
Desirable
-
A high level of competence using ICT, including GIS systems.
- A specific area of expertise within the cultural heritage sector.
