Senior Archaeological Project Manager

Cura Terrae Land & Nature; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working

Career development opportunities

Supportive, collaborative culture

Job summary

Cura Terrae Land & Nature is seeking a Senior Archaeological Project Manager to lead end-to-end projects across the lifecycle, from tender submission to fieldwork delivery and archive sign-off.

This role combines business development with technical leadership, driving client relationships, winning work, and mentoring a growing team while expanding our East of England footprint and supporting hybrid work from Basingstoke or remote regions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable track record of winning in commercial archaeology, preparing competitive tenders, and growing client accounts within UK archaeology.
• Proven experience in managing complex, multi-phase archaeological projects autonomously from inception to completion.
• Strong leadership and line-management skills, with a passion for building, coaching, and developing field teams.
• Full UK Driving Licence (essential).

Responsibilities

• Business Development & Winning Work: Proactively identify market opportunities, establish client relationships and draft winning fee proposals, commercial tenders and Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs) to grow our project pipeline.
• Autonomous Project Delivery: Manage complex archaeological projects successfully and autonomously, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, to target profitability, and in full compliance with CIfA standards and local and national planning frameworks (NPPF).
• Team Building & Leadership: Recruit, onboard, and line-manage Project Officers, Supervisors, and Field Archaeologists. Mentor junior staff in commercial awareness, technical reporting, and field methodologies.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as a key point of contact for clients and planning authorities, ensuring smooth regulatory sign-offs and building repeatable commercial partnerships.
• Commercial & Operational Oversight: Monitor project budgets, manage variations, oversee plant and machinery logistics, and ensure robust Quality Assurance across all technical deliverables.
• Health & Safety Leadership: Enforce high standards of health and safety across all site operations, preparing and reviewing Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) and promoting a positive safety culture.

Skills

Business development

Tender preparation

Client account management

Project management

Leadership / people management

UK Driving Licence

Job description

Driven by growth and expanding commercial operations, Cura Terrae Land and Nature is looking for a high-calibre, Senior Archaeological Project Manager to join our Historic Environment team.

We are seeking a motivated individual with a proven track record of delivering high-value commercial archaeology projects, with a strong focus on winning work, expanding our commercial footprint, and managing projects successfully. Operating either on a hybrid basis from our Basingstoke office or driving our expansion in the East of England, where we are actively looking to establish a new local office hub around the right candidate, you will combine business development acumen with expert project leadership.

Strategic Regional Opportunity: East of England Expansion

While this position could be based in our Basingstoke office, we are actively seeking exceptional leadership talent to drive our expansion into the East of England. For the right candidate in this region, we offer flexible remote working from day one while establishing a new local office hub around your leadership, transitioning into a structured hybrid model once the base is up and running.

About the Role

As a Senior Archaeological Project Manager, you will take full ownership of archaeological projects across their entire life cycle, from lead generation and tender submission through to fieldwork delivery, post-excavation, and archive sign-off. You will lead, build, and mentor a team of archaeologists while working closely with clients, planning consultants and local authority curators.

Key responsibilities:

• Business Development & Winning Work: Proactively identify market opportunities, establish client relationships and draft winning fee proposals, commercial tenders and Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs) to grow our project pipeline.
• Autonomous Project Delivery: Manage complex archaeological projects successfully and autonomously, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, to target profitability, and in full compliance with CIfA standards and local and national planning frameworks (NPPF).
• Team Building & Leadership: Recruit, onboard, and line-manage Project Officers, Supervisors, and Field Archaeologists. Mentor junior staff in commercial awareness, technical reporting, and field methodologies.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Serve as a key point of contact for clients and planning authorities, ensuring smooth regulatory sign-offs and building repeatable commercial partnerships.
• Commercial & Operational Oversight: Monitor project budgets, manage variations, oversee plant and machinery logistics, and ensure robust Quality Assurance across all technical deliverables.
• Health & Safety Leadership: Enforce high standards of health and safety across all site operations, preparing and reviewing Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) and promoting a positive safety culture.

About You

We are seeking an ambitious senior professional who thrives in a fast-paced commercial environment and possesses:

• Demonstrable track record of winning in commercial archaeology, preparing competitive tenders, and growing client accounts within UK archaeology.
• Proven experience in managing complex, multi-phase archaeological projects autonomously from inception to completion.
• Strong leadership and line-management skills, with a passion for building, coaching, and developing field teams.
• Full UK Driving Licence (essential).

What You’ll Get

You’ll join an ambitious, front-foot Historic Environment team within a forward-thinking, Great Place to Work® certified environmental group. We pride ourselves on empowering our team members to take ownership, drive growth, and deliver sustainable, evidence-led solutions across the natural and historic environment.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements tailored to your location.
• Empowered leadership role with direct strategic involvement in team building and regional hub expansion.
• Structured career development, mentoring, and progression opportunities.
• Supportive, collaborative, and ambitious working culture across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Access to modern tools, equipment, and resources.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful, nature-positive projects.

About Cura Terrae

Cura Terrae is a Great Place to Work® certified environmental services group. We are committed to delivering high-quality environmental solutions while fostering a workplace built on teamwork, inclusivity, professionalism, and wellbeing.

We actively support the development of our people and provide opportunities to grow across a diverse range of environmental disciplines.