Historic England

Our purpose at Historic England is to improve people’s lives by championing and protecting the historic environment. Through our work, collaboration, creativity and expertise we want everyone to be able to connect with and learn from our heritage.

At Historic England we’re always looking for new ways to promote the past in ways that are inclusive to all and that celebrate the cultural diversity of England's heritage.  To do that we need people with fresh perspectives, from all walks of life, to join us.

Historic England are pleased to announce that we have a vacancy on the Historic Places Panel (HPP) for someone with expertise in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we're working hard to improve diversity in our workforce.  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 under-represented within Historic England at this level.

Historic Places Panel

The Historic Places Panel works with Historic England teams and stakeholders to listen, share ideas and provide authoritative advice to developers, local authorities, regeneration agencies and community representatives working in historic places, particularly around regeneration strategies and major development initiatives. You can read more or on our website about the Historic Places Panel and find out about the places the Panel has visited from our Review Papers.

The Panel’s main activities are:

• two-day overnight Panel site visits across England (there are up to four visits per year; although Panel members are not expected to attend all visits); occasional attendance at return visits

• an annual seminar to discuss and review the work of the Panel

• sharing expertise with other Panel members and Historic England staff

• occasional day conferences and seminars to assist in Historic England’s strategic development.

The Panel’s membership and range of expertise is broad, including urban design, town planning, urban history, architecture, landscape architecture and archaeology.  We are seeking to appoint a new member to assist with advice on climate change mitigation and adaptation, specifically on climate change resilience and carbon reduction.

All Panel members are expected to contribute effectively to the overall work of the Panel and will be required to demonstrate:

• an understanding at an holistic level of the strategies and policies to effectively deliver carbon reduction at an urban scale

• an understanding of Historic England’s work, the environment in which it operates and a commitment to its aims and objectives

• an understanding of the value of heritage as a driver of place-shaping and economic and social regeneration

• strong communication, influencing and persuading skill

• an ability to work constructively with fellow Panel members and wider stakeholders

• an ability to represent their own area of expertise, as well as act collegiately in Panel discussions.

 How to apply

This role does not require formal qualifications or professional status beyond experience of the area of expertise and interest outlined above.  Candidates should, however, be able to demonstrate a willingness to challenge constructively, operate as part of a committee and be able to work alongside a broad range of professionals.

Please apply by sending a covering letter/email and CV to governance@historicengland.org.uk with “Historic Places Panel recruitment” in the subject line of your message.

In your covering letter/email please briefly outline (in no more than 250 words for each) these areas:

• why being a part of Historic England’s Historic Places Panel interests you

• the skills, knowledge and experience you possess that are specifically relevant to your application

• how you have influenced change or a key issue within your working career in the historic environment.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 29 July 2024.

Interviews will be held in early September.

Please note that these positions are not remunerated, although all reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Appointments are made by the Chairman of Historic England following appropriate interviews and in line with the Government’s seven principles of public life (the ‘Nolan Principles’).

We regret that those candidates who are not shortlisted will not be given feedback.

Please note you do not need to complete the Applied online application.