Summary

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment.  We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.  

We have a fantastic opportunity for you to join us as our Part Time Head of Building Conservation & Designed Landscape.  

This permanent opportunity is 2.5 days a week job share (0.5 FTE) .

The Technical Conservation Team in the National Specialist Services Department specialises in the care, repair and conservation of buildings, structures and landscapes. We set standards and provide specialist technical services and strategic leadership on all aspects of the care, repair, maintenance and adaptation of the historic built environment.  We do this by developing and promoting evidence-based technical policy, standards and best practice and by providing specialist guidance to support those who care for and make decisions about the stewardship of the historic environment. 

What you will be doing:

As the co-leader of the Building Conservation and Designed Landscape teams, you will lead, inspire, manage, co-ordinate and direct the teams to provide authoritative advice for Historic England on the practical, technical and scientific aspects of the care, repair and conservation of historic buildings and designed landscapes. 

You will develop, maintain and promote appropriate standards, guidance and best practice in dealing with the practical, technical and scientific aspects of deteriorating historic fabric, including its assessment and treatment, building materials decay and their treatment. 

You will develop and deliver a programme of technical and scientific research projects to support Historic England’s unique expertise in setting standards and providing specialist technical services and strategic leadership on the survey, repair and maintenance of the historic built environment.   

Working closely with colleagues in Public Engagement you will ensure the timely dissemination of research findings, catering for a variety of audiences from the general public to specialist scientific bodies, identifying appropriate outputs to achieve maximum public benefit.   

You will ensure the provision of high-quality advice and expert capability on appropriate methods of conservation, repair and maintenance of the historic built environment to Historic England teams and to the English Heritage Trust through a shared service agreement.  You will forge close links with Regional Delivery teams in support of relevant heritage at risk and planning-related work.  You will be an authoritative and persuasive advocate on appropriate methods of conservation, repair and maintenance of the historic built environment  

Please note: 

• the role requires regular travel to sites not serviced by public transport. 

• the role may require visiting/inspecting sites which is likely to require climbing scaffolding and negotiating confined space (e.g. Church roofs, etc.). 

 Who we are looking for:

• Proven track record and wide-ranging post-qualification experience in the conservation and repair of the historic environment.

• Significant experience of project delivery within the historic built environment.

• Experience of leading, motivating and developing a multi-disciplinary team and managing consultants

• Significant knowledge of the use of a wide range of building materials, their decay processes and of remedial processes and their impact.

• Familiarity with current issues affecting historic buildings, designed landscapes and the historic environment generally.

• Strong written communication skills including the ability to write concise reports, policies and standards.

 Provisional interview date: 17th January 2024

Why work for Historic England

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 26% contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

We are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at ResourcingTeam@Historicengland.org.uk if you have any recruitment queries. 

HOW TO APPLY:

We are asking for expressions of interest from anyone who wishes to apply for this opportunity and you will need to submit on no more than two sides of A4 explaining why you want to be considered for this opportunity and the key skills and experience you can bring to this role and why you believe you meet the person specification.  

Please email your expression of interest to alison.henry@historicengland.org.uk by the closing date.

Please do not complete the online Applied application.

To read full Job Description please visit:

https://historicengland.org.uk/content/job-descriptions-hr/head-of-building-conservation/