Architectural Investigation Programme And Project Specialist

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 Architectural Investigation Programme and Project Specialist. This is a key role where you will take on a range of specialist duties within the Architectural Investigation discipline, including leading on major/national Architectural Investigation projects and the national Programme and Region’s engagement with publications. Reporting into the Director of Listing and Architectural Investigation, the role will also lead on the quality assurance of the national Blue Plaque Scheme reports.

You will also play a role in providing authoritative professional and specialist advice in the investigation and assessment of the historic environment. Undertaking or contributing to projects on historic buildings, places and townscapes for Historic England’s Corporate Plan.

The location of this role is National where we offer hybrid working, you will be based in one of our following offices and from home - Newcastle, York, Manchester, Birmingham, Swindon, Bristol, Portsmouth and Cambridge. 

Salary:

• National salary range: £39,364 - £43,600 pro-rata
• Greater London + salary range: £42,380 - £45,000 pro-rata
• Inner London salary range: £43,818 - £47,000 pro-rata

What you will be doing

Contribute to the development of the Architectural Investigation strategic work programme for national projects, incorporating, prioritising and communicating the plan effectively across the team.

Liaise with the Archaeological Investigation team and the research community across HE, to ensure that corporately aligned strategic research aims, in line with the corporate plan, are applied consistently.

Align project designs and management for each national or cross-regional project and confirm the allocation of AI resource either internally or commissioned in, striking the right balance of internal resource between major projects and more focused pieces of work.

Work effectively with the relevant staff across all regions to organise the delivery of the national strategic projects.

Ensure the right structures are in place to draw in colleagues from across Historic England (e.g. listings, publications, public engagement), to scope and manage strategic and national work.

Assist with recruitment of AI staff, including identifying skills and knowledge gaps in the current resource.

Provide authoritative professional and specialist advice in the investigation and assessment of the historic environment. Designing and implementing strategic research and Investigation Programmes, projects and activities for a broad range of projects as necessary and appropriate, while achieving a balance of time between this and the core of this role.

Undertake or contribute to projects on historic buildings, places and townscapes for Historic England’s Corporate Plan, whether for English Heritage (under a Shared Service Agreement with Historic England), as part of the organisation’s Enhanced Advisory Services (EAS), for Heritage Action Zones (HAZs), or otherwise, as required.

Liaise with external stakeholders with regard to future topics and themes of project work, collaborative working, and training for the sector.  Stakeholders include universities, amenity societies, national organisations such as the National Trust or SPAB, national research groups such as the Vernacular Architecture Group, and local and community research groups.

Agree (with the Archaeological Investigation team in Policy & Evidence Group) commitment to pieces of work requested by English Heritage Trust as part of the shared service, or other stakeholders through Enhanced Advisory Service.

Liaise with the Strategic Events and Portfolio Project Manager, and the Comms and Public Engagement team to ensure they are aware of current and potential research projects where the output is a publication and that a publication comms strategy is aligned.

Implement a method of quality assurance for Blue Plaques advice, for the Historic England Blue Plaques Historian in buildings and biographical research.

Who we are looking for

Demonstrable knowledge of research and investigation methods and processes coupled with a personal track record of successful research in buildings archaeology, architectural history or a related subject.

A broad knowledge of British architectural history, with a specialist knowledge of one or more area, combined with a good appreciation and awareness of different approaches to investigating the historic environment.

• A high-standard academic and/or professional qualification in architectural history, archaeology or a related subject.
• Experience of successful project management and delivery, with demonstrable time-management skills.
• A track record in the production of guidance and in the delivery of professional training to the sector.

We are an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusion. If you have a disability or neurodiversity, we would be happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the job with you. Having just won the Gold Award from MIND, we also recognise the importance of a healthy work-life balance.

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 recruitmentTeam@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.

Interview dates: 21/04/2024

Please follow the link for a full copy of the Job Description –

https://historicengland.org.uk/media/hwtpgqjp/architectural-investigation-programme-and-project-specialist.odt