Senior Heritage Officer

Overview

Are you passionate about protecting and enhancing the historic environment? Do you have the expertise to influence the future of Buckinghamshire's heritage assets while helping to shape sustainable development?

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Heritage Officer to join our Heritage and Archaeology Team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in conserving Buckinghamshire's rich historic environment, providing specialist advice on complex planning and listed building matters, and contributing to projects that make a lasting impact on local communities. Working within a multi-disciplinary team of specialists, you will help deliver innovative, high-quality heritage services that balance conservation with positive change

About us

You will be working within the Heritage & Archaeology Team within a wider pool of environmental specialists. The Heritage and Archaeology Team is a busy, professional and friendly team made up of qualified Heritage Officers and Archaeologists working to protect, promote and manage the unique historic environment of Buckinghamshire.

As part of the Council’s Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate and the Planning and Environment Service, the Heritage and Archaeology Team sits alongside other specialist teams, including ecology and arboriculture and works collaboratively across the organisation.

About the role

As a Senior Heritage Officer, you will act as a key heritage specialist, providing expert advice on planning applications, listed building consents and pre-application enquiries. You will manage a varied and complex caseload whilst supporting colleagues and helping to maintain a high-performing heritage service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing clear, practical and solution-focused heritage advice to colleagues, developers, applicants and other stakeholders.
• Assessing complex planning and listed building consent applications and making informed recommendations in line with national and local planning policy.
• Supporting the management of team casework and reviewing work completed by Heritage Officers.
• Leading and contributing to important heritage projects, including Conservation Area Appraisals, Management Plans and Buildings at Risk initiatives.
• Working closely with enforcement teams on heritage-related breaches and helping to secure positive outcomes for historic assets.
• Representing the Council at planning appeals, committee meetings and external stakeholder events.
• Contributing to wider heritage and conservation initiatives, including local heritage listings, design awards programmes and regeneration projects.

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

We are seeking a confident and knowledgeable heritage professional who combines technical expertise with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

You will ideally have:

• A Level 5 qualification (or above) in Historic Conservation or a related discipline.
• Full membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).
• Significant experience in heritage, conservation, planning or a related professional field.
• Strong knowledge of heritage legislation, planning policy and conservation best practice.
• Experience managing complex planning and listed building applications.
• The ability to analyse information, assess impacts and develop practical solutions to heritage challenges.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence to influence, negotiate and present recommendations to a wide range of audiences.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively.
• A collaborative approach, with a commitment to delivering excellent customer service and positive outcomes.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about protecting the historic environment and motivated to make a meaningful difference through your work.

Other information

For more information about this role, please contact Jenny Martin at [email protected] for an informal discussion.

Closing date: 23:59 28th October 2026

Interview Date: 3rd & 4th November 2026 (High Wycombe/Aylesbury)

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/