Conservation Builder

Shakespeare; Stratford-upon-Avon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Events

Employee Discounts

Free Parking

Health and Well-being Programme

Store Discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon is recruiting two Conservation Builders to join the Estates department. You will deliver specialist traditional building work, repairs and conservation to historic and listed properties, supporting public engagement.

Candidates should have highly developed practical skills in at least one heritage craft (bricklaying, lime mortars, masonry, carpentry, joinery, plastering, roofing) and experience with lime-based systems and breathable

Qualifications

• Highly developed practical skills in at least one traditional heritage craft (e.g. bricklaying, lime mortars, masonry, carpentry, joinery, plastering, roofing, painting & decorating).
• Experience working with historic and listed buildings.
• Strong understanding of traditional materials and building pathology, particularly lime-based systems and breathable construction.

Responsibilities

• Deliver hands-on conservation and fabric repairs on historic buildings as part of the Estates team.
• Support planned works and maintenance for the Trust's properties, including public-facing engagement where relevant.

Skills

Traditional heritage skills

Teamwork and collaboration

Understanding of lime-based systems

Understanding of traditional materials

Building pathology knowledge

Job description

Celebrating Shakespeare is at the heart of everything we do.

We are looking to recruit two Conservation Builders to join our Estates department. Part-funded through support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and the Michael Bishop Foundation.

As Conservation Builder you will deliver specialist traditional building work, repair and conservation to the Trust's historic and service properties. Supporting the Estates team through hands-on conservation, planned works and public engagement.

To be successful in this role, you will possess highly developed practical skills in at least one traditional heritage craft, e.g. bricklaying, lime mortars, masonry, carpentry, joinery, plastering, roofing, painting & decorating. You will have experience working with historic and traditionally built structures, including listed buildings, and have a strong understanding of traditional materials and building pathology, particularly lime-based systems and breathable construction.

This is an exciting time to join the Trust as initially you will contribute directly to a major specialist conservation project at Anne Hathaway's Cottage, carrying out high-quality traditional building repairs, fabric conservation and heritage-sensitive maintenance to support the long-term care of the site. Working to the highest standards of craftsmanship appropriate to a nationally significant Grade I listed building.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 13 September 2026 with interviews taking place on Wednesday 23 September 2026 in-person in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6QW.

The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) in our recruitment practices and in the working practices of our staff and volunteers.

Please download to view supporting documents below.

JD - Conservation Builder with Logos - May 2026.pdf

GI - Conservation Builder - FT, Perm - August 2026.pdf

Skills for the job

• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Traditional Heritage Skills
• Understanding of building pathology
• Understanding of lime-based systems
• Understanding of traditional materials

Company Events Employee Discounts Free Parking Health and Well-being Programme Store Discount Employee Assistance Programme

• Company Events
• Employee Discounts
• Free Parking
• Health and Well-being Programme
• Store Discount
• Employee Assistance Programme