Heritage & Archaeology Team Leader

Overview

Do you want to develop your career in one of the most beautiful counties in Britain, boasting a wealth of heritage? If so, then Buckinghamshire Council has an exciting opportunity for a Heritage & Archaeology Team Leader to join our new and rapidly expanding Heritage and Archaeology Team within the Planning and Environment department.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

The Heritage and Archaeology Team is a busy, professional and friendly team made up of qualified Heritage Officers and Archaeologists. Together we work to protect, promote and manage the unique historic environment of Buckinghamshire. The Heritage and Archaeology Team is part of the Council’s wider Environment and Climate Change team, within the Planning and Environment directorate. The Heritage and Archaeology Team sits alongside other specialist teams, including ecology, urban design and landscape, arboriculture and the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Record Centre (BMERC).  

This is an exciting time to join Buckinghamshire Council. 

The county is currently experiencing a huge amount of growth and an increase in planning-related casework. 

Working with us will give you the chance to lead a team of professionals, manage your casework, and guide some of our fantastic projects. The successful applicant will work closely with colleagues in the Planning and Environment directorate, as well as some of the key heritage stakeholders in the region, especially Historic England and the National Trust. Come and join our amazing, expanding team while developing your professional career at the same time.

About the role

As Heritage and Archaeology Team Leader you will manage a large team of thirteen individuals, with guidance and support from the Historic and Built Environment Manager. You will also provide advice relating to the management, protection and enhancement of heritage assets (archaeological sites and/or listed buildings and Conservation Areas within the County.)

You will provide authoritative advice, guidance and support to colleagues, customers and stakeholders. You will respond to complex heritage and/or archaeology consultations from the planning teams and you may need to represent the authority in planning appeals. You may be a case officer for standalone listed building consent applications. You will also have a strategic role in helping in the development of our Buckinghamshire Local Plan and advising on Neighbourhood Plans, Conservation Area appraisals, Local Heritage Listing, and other County-wide projects.

You will report to the Historic and Built Environment Manager and will have the opportunity to engage with projects and outreach activities led by other members of the wider Environmental Specialist Teams. In particular, you will oversee our Local List project and start a programme of Conservation Area appraisal reviews.

You will have budgetary responsibility and will work to develop the commercial approach of the team.

We recognise that training is an essential part of any technical role and pride ourselves on offering excellent training opportunities and Continuing Professional Development.

Buckinghamshire is a beautiful place to live and work. By joining our heritage and archaeology team you will be helping to preserve our special historic environment for future generations. We pride ourselves on our great working ethos, our professionalism, our adaptability and our flexible working.  

Please see the attached job summary for further details about our role.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

 

About you

• The successful candidate will have substantial experience of heritage and/or archaeology planning advice or consultancy.
• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of heritage assets in lowland England.
• Expert knowledge of legislation, policy and guidance relating to the historic environment.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• You will be qualified to a degree level or equivalent in a course related to the historic environment.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills. 

 

Please see the job summary for more information.

Other information

This is a permanent, full time position.

Closing date Sunday 23rd August 2026. 

Interviews will be conducted early September 2026. 

Please contact Eliza Alqassar if you have any questions: [email protected] or for an informal chat about this role in more detail on 01296 383798.

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/