Project Officer (Principal/Associate Archaeologist)

SLR Consulting; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Discretionary bonus

Company pension

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Flexible working

Job summary

SLR Consulting is seeking an experienced Project Officer at Principal or Associate level for our Midlands Archaeology & Heritage team. Based from Birmingham or Nottingham with hybrid working, you will lead fieldwork, reporting and post-excavation analysis, coordinating with project managers and external stakeholders.

You will mentor junior archaeologists, design investigations, prepare WSIs, and contribute to wider business development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Degree in Archaeology or related discipline.
• Significant UK fieldwork experience.
• Proven ability to run archaeological sites independently.
• Excellent technical report writing skills.
• Experience in post-excavation assessment, analysis and interpretation.
• Strong understanding of current archaeological practice, standards and guidance.
• Experience supervising archaeological teams and managing field staff.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Leading and supervising archaeological evaluations, excavations, watching briefs and other fieldwork projects.
• Day-to-day management and delivery of archaeological sites and field teams.
• Lead site representation and liaise with clients, contractors, curators and stakeholders.
• Designing and managing archaeological investigations and mitigation strategies.
• Preparing Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs) and methodologies.
• Maintaining high standards of recording, archive preparation and QA.
• Producing clear, accurate, professional technical reports.
• Delivering post-excavation assessments, analysis and reporting.
• Mentoring junior archaeologists and developing team capability.
• Promoting a positive health and safety culture.
• Associate-level: support programming, resourcing, budgeting and commercial performance.
• Associate-level: contribute to tenders, proposals and business development.

Skills

Report writing

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Teamwork

Driving licence

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in Archaeology

Job description

SLR is a global leader in environmental and sustainability solutions, helping clients achieve their sustainability goals through technical excellence and collaborative working. Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Project Officer at Principal or Associate level to join our expanding Midlands Archaeology & Heritage team. Based from either our Birmingham or Nottingham office, with hybrid working arrangements available, you will join a small, friendly and ambitious regional team that forms part of a larger national consultancy. Our Midlands team also incorporates colleagues in Bolton, working regularly on a national scale with our wider UK Archaeology & Heritage teams in Carlisle and Bury St Edmunds. Our growing portfolio includes projects ranging from regional residential and commercial developments through to nationally significant infrastructure, energy and power schemes.

The Role

You will play a leading role in the delivery of archaeological projects, taking responsibility for fieldwork programmes from planning and mobilisation through to reporting and post-excavation analysis. Working alongside Project Managers, technical specialists, planning professionals and environmental consultants, you will ensure archaeological projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and supervising archaeological evaluations, excavations, watching briefs and other fieldwork projects.
• Taking responsibility for the day-to-day management and successful delivery of archaeological sites, and the field teams working on them.
• Acting as the lead archaeological representative on site and liaising confidently with clients, contractors, curators and stakeholders.
• Designing and managing archaeological investigations and mitigation strategies.
• Preparing Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs), methodologies and scopes of work.
• Maintaining high standards of archaeological recording, archive preparation and quality assurance.
• Producing clear, accurate and professional technical reports.
• Delivering post-excavation assessments, analysis and publication-ready reporting.
• Mentoring and supporting junior archaeologists and helping develop team capability.
• Promoting a positive health and safety culture.
• At Associate level, supporting project programming, resourcing, budgeting and commercial performance.
• At Associate level, contributing to tender submissions, fee proposals and business development opportunities.

About You

We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with strong report writing, publication-quality reporting and post-excavation analysis skills.

• Degree in Archaeology or a related discipline.
• Significant experience delivering archaeological fieldwork projects within the UK.
• Proven ability to competently and independently run archaeological sites.
• Excellent technical report writing skills.
• Experience in post-excavation assessment, analysis and interpretation.
• Strong understanding of current archaeological practice, standards and guidance.
• Experience supervising archaeological teams and managing field staff.
• Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Why Join SLR?

At SLR, our One Team culture is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on being collaborative, supportive and people-focused, creating an environment where individuals can develop professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Work on a diverse portfolio of archaeological and heritage projects.
• Contribute to multi-disciplinary nationally significant infrastructure, energy and power schemes.
• Be part of a growing and ambitious Midlands archaeology team.
• Develop your career through structured progression pathways and regular performance reviews.
• Receive support towards professional accreditation and continuing professional development.

Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income, and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
• Workplace Nursery benefit
• Volunteering and Community Giving
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and where different perspectives are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to providing support and reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.

Interested?

If you’re an experienced archaeologist looking for the next step in your career, enjoy running archaeological projects from fieldwork through to reporting, and want to be part of a growing Midlands team delivering exciting projects across the UK, we’d love to hear from you.