Senior Architectural Heritage Specialists -Expression Of Interest

Urbis; Sydney, Brisbane; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Urbis is seeking a senior heritage professional to join our national heritage architecture teams. Relocation assistance is available to work in Perth, Sydney and Brisbane offices, with the ability to collaborate within a national team.

The role focuses on progressive conservation, adaptive re-use of Australia’s built heritage, and delivering strategic advice across diverse heritage places, from urban landmarks to regional sites.

Qualifications

• Registered architects or working towards registration in an Australian jurisdiction.
• Tertiary qualifications in Architecture, Heritage Conservation, or a closely related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in heritage advisory, planning, or conservation—preferably within a consultancy environment.
• Strong working knowledge of national heritage legislation, policies, and statutory planning processes.
• Proven mentoring and on-the-job coaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide informed, strategic, and practical leadership on a wide range of heritage matters, including: documentation of heritage conservation and adaptive reuse; project delivery from feasibility to practical completion; heritage assessments and significance studies; Conservation Management Plans (CMPs); Heritage Impact Statements (HIS); supervision by architectural heritage professionals.
• Lead, mentor, and support junior and mid-level staff in delivering high-quality heritage reports and projects.
• Prepare winning proposals, tenders, and submissions to secure new opportunities and strengthen client relationships.
• Lead preparation historical and physical analysis of historic heritage sites to inform heritage reports and planning advice.
• Oversee project lifecycles from inception through completion, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery aligned with client expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with professionals from other disciplines to deliver integrated, sustainable project outcomes.
• Represent the firm in professional forums, public engagements, and industry events to promote heritage capabilities and values.
• Manage workload and project hours with discipline, contributing to financial performance of the team.

Skills

Mentoring

Client engagement

Business development

Written and verbal communication

Education

Architecture/Heritage Conservation degree

Job description

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

About us.

Urbis is more than just a consultancy. We are a multidisciplinary urban consultancy, inspiring and creating solutions for our ever-changing world. We empower our brightest minds with opportunities to push boundaries, collaborate and deliver exceptional, creative solutions for our clients and each other.

If you're looking to make transformational impact in our cities and communities, we're keen to meet you.

We pride ourselves on empowering our employees and supporting them to be the best they can be. Here you will make a tangible difference and create positive impact, while gaining enviable industry experience and broad exposure to the most exciting work.

The opportunity & how you will make an impact.

We invite expressions of interest from inspiring and forward‑thinking heritage professionals to join our national heritage architecture teams at Senior level, relocation assistance is available to work in our Perth, Sydney and Brisbane offices with ability to work as part of a national team. This opportunity is suited to someone who is passionate about the progressive conservation and adaptive re‑use of Australia's built heritage, and who values work that contributes to strong communities and the protection of shared history.

You will bring expertise in heritage architecture, building conservation and statutory heritage planning, underpinned by a strong working knowledge of national heritage frameworks. Your understanding of heritage legislation, building fabric, and the principles of conservation philosophy will inform your strategic advice and practical solutions across a diverse portfolio of heritage places—ranging from urban landmarks to regional and remote sites of cultural significance.

As a natural collaborator, you will mentor and support a high‑performing team, working across complex, multidisciplinary projects alongside lead architects, planners, engineers, and other specialists. You will play a leadership role in strengthening our Heritage architecture practice while contributing to national initiatives and the long‑term growth of the business.

This is more than a job—it's a chance to lead projects that make a lasting impact, to shape best‑practice heritage outcomes, and to champion a respectful, inclusive, and future‑focused approach to heritage conservation.

As a member of our Architectural Heritage team, every day is different! You'll make an impact by

• Provide informed, strategic, and practical leadership on a wide range of heritage matters, including: Overseeing the documentation of heritage conservation and adaptive re‑use Project managing delivery of archietcural heritage projects from feasibility to practical completion Heritage assessments and significance studies Conservation Management Plans (CMPs) Heritage Impact Statements (HIS) Architectural conservation supervision Expert witness services where required
• Lead, mentor, and support junior and mid‑level staff in the delivery of heritage reports and projects of the highest quality.
• Prepare winning proposals, tenders, and submissions to secure new opportunities and strengthen client relationships.
• Lead preparation historical and physical analysis of historic heritage sites, interpreting archival and contextual data to inform heritage reports and planning advice.
• Oversee project lifecycles from inception through to completion, ensuring delivery is on time, on budget, and aligned with client expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Work in close collaboration with professionals from other disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative, and sustainable project outcomes.
• Represent the firm in professional forums, public engagements, and industry events, actively promoting our heritage capabilities and values.
• Manage your workload and project hours with discipline and accountability, contributing to the financial performance of the team.

About You:

• Preference will be given to registered architects or those working towards registration in an Australian jurisdiction
• Tertiary qualifications in Architecture, Heritage Conservation, or a closely related discipline.
• 7+ years of professional experience in heritage advisory, planning, or conservation—preferably within a consultancy environment.
• Advanced appreciation of Australian historical architecture, construction methods, and traditional building fabric.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality heritage assessments and reporting across a range of heritage‑listed places.
• Strong working knowledge of national heritage legislation, policies, and statutory planning processes.
• Proven experience in mentoring and on‑the‑job coaching, with a supportive and constructive approach to developing junior staff.
• Strong business acumen with experience in business development, client engagement, and securing new or repeat consultancy work.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing CMPs, HISs, and other technical reports to a high professional standard.
• Comfortable working independently or as part of a team on complex, multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Committed to culturally respectful practice, including the recognition and protection of Aboriginal heritage and working collaboratively with Traditional Owners.