Archaeology and Built Heritage Consultant
Headland Archaeology
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Headland Archaeology is seeking an Archaeology and Built Heritage Consultant to join our consultancy team in Manchester. The role involves preparing technical heritage documents and liaising with clients across UK sites.
We value experience in site reports, DBAs, EIA chapters, and built heritage statements. Travel across the UK and joining CIfA are encouraged; salary reflects experience and location within the UK.
Qualifications
- Understanding UK policy and planning context for archaeology.
- Degree in archaeology or related subject.
- Experience in archaeological consultancy or commercial field work.
- Experience in report writing, preferably DBAs or built heritage statements or evaluation reports.
- Full driving licence and ability to drive company vehicles in the UK.
- Willingness to walk-over surveys in all weathers.
- Willingness to travel to projects across the UK.
- Be prepared to join CIfA.
- Health and safety awareness relevant to the role.
- Good organisational and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and use your own initiative.
Responsibilities
- Baseline data collection from archives or site surveys.
- Prepare technical documents (heritage risk appraisals, DBA, WSI, EIA chapters).
- Contribute to fee proposals with senior colleagues.
- Liaise with clients and consultees; oversee contractors.
- Develop commercial awareness and manage project finances with supervision.
- Manage time across multiple projects.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Application Deadline: 31 October 2026
Department: Consultancy
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Manchester
Compensation: £30,760 - £37,949 / year
Salary: £30,760 – 37,949 depending on experience and level of expertise
Hours: Full time, 37.5h/week – we are open to discussion on flexible working including part-time hours
Locations: Headland Archaeology and RSK Group office locations where we have established heritage staff, for example Hereford, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Silsoe, Helsby.
Contract Type: Permanent, subject to 6-month probation period
Headland Archaeology is offering an excellent opportunity for a heritage consultant to join our expanding team.
We are a privately-owned archaeological business, part of the RSK Group, a leader in integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services. We provide heritage services to the development and construction sectors in UK and across the world.
The Headland Archaeology Consultancy Team prides itself on offering independent, excellent technical advice to clients and colleagues which is rooted in years of experience in the sector. We tell clients what they need to know, rather than what they want to hear.
We combine an in-depth understanding of archaeology with practical experience of major construction projects to keep you ahead of the game. Our proactive, friendly approach leaves no stone unturned when it comes to accurate estimating, minimised risk and effective national resourcing.
From fast-track rail projects and wind farm construction through to housing developments and off-shore cable-laying, we deliver against your critical path and your heritage responsibilities.
We were founded in 1996 and now cover the whole of the UK from four regional offices located in Silsoe, Hereford, Cleckheaton and Edinburgh. Many of our contracts are valued at £1m-£5m and we regularly act as Principal Contractor.
We are a Registered Organisation of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists. More importantly, though we study the past, we are a forward-looking and innovative business, keen to help our clients stay ahead of the game.
With offices in England and Scotland, we offer our employees:
- Unique knowledge and expertise. For the past 30 years, Headland has provided not only business-focused archaeology but also people-focused business. We are highly respected within our industry for our achievements in innovation, tailor-made development coaching and training, and our expertise in commercial archaeology.
- Strong pioneering spirit. Our corporate culture is characterised by a healthy appetite for originality and development.
- Stable company with excellent growth. Over the years, we have demonstrated steady, positive economic development and formed successful partnerships.
- Good work environment. You will be surrounded by colleagues who are pleasant, professional, and enthusiastic about their work.
- Opportunity to influence. You get to work in an open climate, close to decision makers and with the possibility of making a difference.
- Part of RSK group. You will have further opportunities to become involved in nationally and internationally prominent projects with exciting prospects for career development. The group has c.17000 employees and c.230 environmentally lead companies.
We are looking to appoint an archaeological and/or built heritage consultant with experience in the preparation of technical documents supporting clients in addressing heritage constraints.
The appointee will have an understanding of the legislative and planning policy framework within which commercial archaeology is undertaken in the UK.
Applicants should have demonstrable experience of contributing to site reports, archaeological desk-based assessments, environmental impact assessments and/or built heritage statements and written schemes of investigation.
We are looking for a candidate (preferably one of the corporate grades of CIfA/IHBC membership) to liaise with clients, work with statutory consultees, assess impacts on the historic environment, oversee archaeological sub-contractors and prepare technical advice. The level of responsibility will reflect the successful applicant’s skills and experience. We provide training and opportunities to develop staff and to help facilitate colleagues’ growth into the role.
You will work on projects and with colleagues from across the RSK Group. Key responsibilities (which will be supported and supervised) will include:
- Baseline data collection (from archives, site walk-over survey etc.)
- Contribute to, or preparation of, technical documents (heritage risk appraisals, DBA, WSI, EIA chapters)
- Contribute to fee proposals for review with the support of senior colleagues
- Liaise with clients, consultees and oversee contractors
- Develop commercial awareness
- Help senior colleagues to manage project finances
- Manage their own time whilst working across several projects
You must have the following essential criteria:
- Have an understanding of the policy and legislative context for UK archaeological practice.
- A degree in archaeology or related subject
- Experience in archaeological consultancy or commercial field work
- Experience of report writing, preferably preparing DBAs and/or built heritage statements or evaluation reports
- Full driving licence and be able and willing to drive company vehicles in the UK
- Able and willing to carry out walk-over surveys in an outdoor environment in all weathers
- Willingness to travel to work on projects across the UK
- Be prepared to join CIfA
- An understanding of the health and safety requirements relevant to the role
- Good organisational & communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and use your own initiative
- Embrace inclusion and diversity
- Willingness to develop your people skills and attend mental health awareness courses
- Substantial knowledge of MS Office & written/spoken English language
- Be passionate, motivated and excited about what you do!
You may meet the following desirable criteria:
- CIfA membership at PCIfA or ACIfA level and/or Affiliate IHBC membership
- Be able to relate research themes in British archaeology to projects
- Substantial knowledge of a GIS package
- Post graduate qualification
- Publication recordEIA experience
Benefits we offer you:
- Competitive paid subsistence when applicable
- Paid accommodation when applicable
- Use of cutting edge technology on site, e.g. paperless systems, iPads etc.
- Ongoing regular training in various areas e.g. Health & Safety, Technical areas and Transferable skills
- Annual profit discretionary bonus & performance-related bonus schemes
- 35 days annual leave, rising based on service length
- Extra annual leave purchase scheme
- 5%-6% employer contribution to pension scheme
- Income Protection Policy, after a year with Headland
- Life Assurance Policy, insuring you 4 times your annual salary, after a year with Headland
- Regular performance, wellbeing & professional development check-ins
- Referral scheme with generous fee
- A support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders
- Regular offers through RSK Group (e.g. Tastecard, Gym membership discount, Holidays and Entertainment)
- Employee Assistance Programme (advice on finance, mental health etc)
- Paid CIfA membership
- Cycle to work scheme
- Being part of RSK Group
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