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.

Historic England have a fantastic opportunity for you to become our Policy Adviser.

This is a policy post with a particular focus on national planning and heritage protection.

You can be based out of one of the following offices; London, Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and York.

The post-holder will be line managed by the Head of Planning and Heritage Reform Strategy and deliver national-level policy input into planning, heritage protection and reform work. The post-holder will assist in the development of Historic England’s (HE’s) contribution in these areas, notably in the delivery of projects and production of advice, as well as replying to relevant consultations from government and others. The goal is to reinforce Historic England's role as an important advocate for the role of heritage in the planning system, as well as the importance of heritage protection more generally.

In addition,  up to 40% of the post-holder’s time may be called upon to work on other areas of policy development to reply to changing priorities.

National salary range:

£30,155 - £31,912 pro-rata

Greater London + salary range:

£33,356 - £35,301 pro-rata

Inner London salary range:

£34,969 - £37,009 pro-rata

What you will be doing

We need you to play a key role in working with the Head of Planning and Heritage Reform Strategy, assisting the development of Government policy and legislation on planning and heritage protection.

To clarify and disseminate policy positions on relevant topics, both internally and externally. including through replying to queries, providing briefings, and (working with the relevant teams) developing and delivering training.

You will be responsible for maintaining an overview of planning and heritage reform, with a view to ensuring that summaries of existing changes (e.g. to permitted development rights), HE webpages, training material, and published advice are kept up to date.

To assist in replying to relevant consultations, including leading on responses where appropriate.

To oversee research and other projects, and assist their development.

To assist and monitor sector engagement on planning and heritage reform.

To contribute to the preparation of Historic England published advice, including drafting, oversight of consultation exercises, review, and publication, including Historic England Advice Notes and other advice where produced by other teams.

To assist other teams dealing with heritage protection policy as appropriate, and particularly coordinating activity in shared areas of interest with the Levelling Up and Places Strategy team (e.g. design guidance).

What we are looking for

• Proven knowledge and experience in planning policy and advocacy work.

• The ability to work with a wide range of external partners and stakeholders with both authority and sensitivity.

• Experience of summarising policy papers and communicating this clearly, concisely and effectively to internal and external audiences.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills for a wide range of audiences. This should include a proven record of writing in both technical and non-technical styles.

• A good team player able both to support and challenge and work independently to complete tasks to deadlines.

We are an inclusive employer and believe that flexible working options are for everyone. We want to make sure our working arrangements don’t prevent anyone from joining us because of their personal circumstances. We also want to provide you with the best balance in your home and work life that we can.

We are open to considering options including job sharing, part-time working, compressed hours working and different working locations, including hybrid working. Please visit our jobs pages or contact us to find out more.

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 committed 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. 

To ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process for everyone the use of AI or automated tools is not permitted.

Provisional interview dates: w/c 11th December 2023.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please attach a copy of your CV onto the Applied recruitment system alongside a copy of a CV cover letter telling us what you are suitable for this role (max 300 words).

Please click the following link for the full Job Description;

/content/job-descriptions-hr/policy-adviser-jd/