Principal Conservation Officer

Birmingham City Council; Highgate; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a skilled Principal Conservation Officer to enhance and protect the historic environment of Birmingham. You will provide expert advice during planning processes, contribute to regeneration projects, and develop strategies for preserving the city's architectural legacy. The ideal candidate will have a degree in conservation or a related field, along with strong project management and communication skills. Join us to help shape the future of Birmingham's heritage and work with a passionate team dedicated to making a positive impact.

Benefits

generous annual leave

excellent pension scheme

well-being support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in heritage conservation within the planning and development context.
• Ability to appraise development proposals critically.
• Experience managing complex conservation projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist conservation advice on planning applications.
• Prepare conservation guidance and design briefs.
• Research and assess historic buildings and areas.
• Lead on the preparation of conservation area appraisals.

Skills

heritage conservation expertise

strong knowledge of conservation legislation

expertise in architectural and urban design

project management skills

strong communication skills

relationship-building skills

report writing and IT skills

Education

Degree in conservation, planning, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

project management systems

Job description

Birmingham is a city with a rich heritage and an ambitious future. We are seeking a skilled Principal Conservation Officer to help protect, enhance and promote the historic environment as part of the city's regeneration and design agenda. You will provide expert heritage and conservation advice within the planning process, contribute to regeneration projects, and support the development of strategies and guidance that preserve Birmingham's architectural and cultural legacy.

What You'll Be Doing

• Provide specialist conservation advice on planning applications, listed building consents and pre-application enquiries.
• Prepare conservation guidance, design briefs and heritage‑led policy documents to support high‑quality development.
• Research and assess historic buildings and areas, contributing to statutory and local listings and potential conservation area designations.
• Lead on the preparation of conservation area appraisals, management plans and public consultation activities.
• Contribute to the project management of repair, restoration and grant‑funded heritage schemes across the city.
• Represent the Council at Public Inquiries, providing expert evidence under cross‑examination where required.
• Promote awareness of Birmingham's historic environment through engagement with Members, partners and the public.

  You will be passionate about the city's heritage and skilled in balancing conservation considerations with growth and regeneration priorities.

• Significant experience in heritage conservation within the planning and development context.
• Strong knowledge of conservation legislation, national/local heritage policies, and the planning system.
• Expertise in architectural and urban design issues, with the ability to appraise development proposals critically.
• Experience managing complex conservation projects, including building repairs and landscape restoration schemes.
• Confident communication skills, with experience representing an organisation at public meetings or inquiries.
• Ability to build strong relationships with partners, funders, community groups and heritage organisations.
• Strong report writing, illustrative and IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office and project management systems.

Working for Birmingham City Council is more than just a job; it's about making life better for the 1 million plus people who live and work in the city. The Council is a fantastic place to work. You will find an organisation that is both challenging and supportive; with a leadership impatiently adventurous in its pursuit of excellence.

There is a clear vision which is ensuring that the Council is working for communities today and building for tomorrow, we focus our resources on five key priorities:

Key Priorities

• A Prosperous Birmingham: through a focus on inclusive economic growth, tackling unemployment, attracting inward investment, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth Games.
• An Inclusive Birmingham: through a focus on tackling poverty and inequality, empowering citizens, promoting diversity and civic pride, and supporting and enabling all children and young people to thrive.
• A Safe Birmingham: through a focus on making the city safer, safeguarding vulnerable citizens, increasing affordable housing, and tackling homelessness.
• A Healthy Birmingham: through a focus on tackling health inequalities, encouraging physical activity and healthy living, supporting mental health, and improving outcomes for adults with disabilities and older people.
• A Green Birmingham: through a focus on street cleanliness, improving air quality, continuing the route to net zero, and becoming a city of nature.

We see the Council's role as providing strategic leadership - that's being able to visualise a new future for the city and equipping others to share our vision. We want to ensure the provision of services for all, so we can support those least able to support themselves by working with partners and putting citizens and neighbourhoods at the heart of our decision‑making. We are always looking for people who put the customer at the centre of their approach, with a commitment to excellence to help us achieve our vision. We will support you to develop and thrive in your role, building a pathway for long‑term success, with lots of development opportunities, such as apprenticeships.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in shaping the future of Birmingham's historic environment.
• Contribute to regeneration, place‑making and design excellence across a major UK city.
• Work on diverse and high‑profile heritage assets, buildings and conservation areas.
• Support successful funding bids and grant programmes enabling heritage‑led improvement.
• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary professionals in a supportive and innovative team.
• Represent the Council nationally and regionally, sharing best practice in conservation and design.
• Help promote and celebrate Birmingham's heritage with communities and stakeholders.

Please upload your up‑to‑date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people. We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

In return, we offer you excellent terms and conditions, generous annual leave, a great pension scheme, well‑being support, annual travel passes and discounts at a number of city centre establishments.