Senior Project Officers

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined Pension scheme

Life assurance scheme

31 days leave (including Bank Holidays

Accommodation provided

CIfA membership paid

Employee Assistance Programme

PPE provided

Job summary

Cotswold Archaeology is seeking a Senior Project Officer in Milton Keynes to lead archaeological field projects, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence, and high-quality recording. You will manage Project Officers and Supervisors, develop staff, and maintain client liaison while upholding safety and publication standards.

This permanent role offers a competitive package and benefits; successful applicants will have on-site work with occasional travel to away projects and must meet

Qualifications

• Experience supervising large fieldwork and desk-based projects.
• Ability to write reports to publication standard.
• Full manual driving licence and willingness to drive company vehicles.
• Knowledge of budgets and timescales in commercial archaeology.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists to ACIFA level is desirable (or willingness to join).

Responsibilities

• Lead on-site delivery of projects to time, budget, quality and safety requirements.
• Manage and develop staff through training and coaching.
• Ensure quality of site records and archaeological archives.
• Author reports to publication standard.
• Monitor progress and liaise with clients and contractors.
• Maintain administrative records including timesheets and equipment logs.

Skills

Archaeology knowledge

Project supervision

Budget management

Staff development

Report writing

Health and safety

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Database skills

Job description

Senior Project Officers - MILTON KEYNES

Department

Fieldwork

Employment Type

Full Time - Perm

Minimum Experience

Manager/Supervisor

Compensation

£41,075 - £43,792

SENIOR PROJECT OFFICERS

Milton Keynes

Salary - £41,075 - £43,792

PERMANENT CONTRACTS

Subject to successful completion of 6-month probationary period.

For Project Supervisor and Project Officer roles, membership of the CIfA at PCIfA level is desirable
(or able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements and a commitment to join if appointed)

Senior Project Officer role membership is essential at least to ACIFA level.

What we offer

A starting salary well above the CIfA minimum,

• Project Supervisors - £32,977 - £35,665 (Dependent on Experience)
• Project Officer - £37,021 - £39,718 (Dependent on Experience)
• Senior Project Officers - £41,075 - £43,792 (Dependent on Experience)

A highly competitive benefits package including:

• Defined Pension scheme
• Life assurance scheme
• 31 days leave (including Bank Holidays) – increasing with length of service
• Good quality accommodation, and subsistence payments for all away projects
• Paid CIfA membership subscription
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and a network of mental health first aiders across the organisation
• Personal protective equipment will be issued for the duration of employment.

Where away work is required good quality accommodation will be provided, along with subsistence payments (£24 each night where eligible)

Closing date

Applications need to be submitted by 5pm - Wednesday 30th September 2026, however, we will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and making offers where possible.

Richard Greatorex – Principal Fieldwork Manager – Andover (07703684031)

Steve Sheldon, Principal Fieldwork Manager – Kemble (07711849780)

Adrian Scruby, Principal Fieldwork Manager – Milton Keynes (07718485229)

Stuart Boulter, Principal Fieldwork Manager - Needham Market (07885223524)

[e-mail]

Job Description

Role: Senior Project Officer

Pay Scale: 20-22

Department: Fieldwork

Location: Milton Keynes

Report to: Fieldwork Manager

Responsible for: Project Officers, Project Supervisors, Archaeologists and Trainees

Purpose of role

To lead the archaeological direction and site management of Cotswold Archaeology‘s most prestigious fieldwork projects, with principal responsibility for ensuring performance targets are met (or exceeded), and for assuring the quality of archaeological recording and understanding.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• To be the lead officer on site responsible for managing the delivery of their projects to time, budget, quality and health and safety requirements.
• To manage and develop staff, ensuring their continuous improvement in performance through initiating training, coaching and improved practices.
• To assure the quality of archaeological understanding and site records, and oversee the compilation of archaeological archives to required standards.
• To author reports to publication standard.
• To monitor and provide regular reports to Project Managers on project progress (budgetary and archaeological), logistical, staff and health and safety issues, and to maintain appropriate liaison with clients, Local Government officers, and contractors.
• To ensure accurate completion and approval of appropriate administrative records, including timesheets, plant and allocation sheets.

• To ensure effective deployment and maintenance of vehicles, plant and equipment, and maintain/provide accurate records.
• To take lead responsibility for ensuring that projects are carried out in accordance with the CA Health and Safety policy, and to prepare risk assessments and other relevant documentation.
• To assist Project Managers in pre-project planning and preparation including undertaking the preparation of written schemes of investigation, trench plans, obtaining service information, notifying utility companies prior to excavation and making appropriate contact with landowners and agents and other relevant parties.
• To deputise for the Project Manager where appropriate.
• To actively promote, and develop a greater public awareness and appreciation of the work of CA through displays, publications, media liaison, lectures etc.
• To carry out any other duties as required and appropriate to the role.

Personal specification

Essential

• Knowledge and expertise in archaeological practice, including a general familiarity with the archaeology of Britain at all periods.
• Experience of the supervision of large fieldwork (including excavation) and desk-based projects.
• Knowledge, awareness and understanding of business needs, budgets and timescales, within commercial archaeology.
• The ability to write reports to publication standard.
• The ability to organise, motivate, train, appraise and direct staff.
• Administrative ability in the keeping of records and accounts and the submission of reports.
• A full manual driving licence is essential, as is the ability and willingness to drive company vehicles (4x4s, vans and minibuses).
• Proficient in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and database skills.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists to a minimum of ACIFA or able and willing to become a member at this level.
• Competent in carrying out First Aid.

Desirable

• In depth knowledge or expertise in a particular archaeological period, site type or subject (such as finds or environmental archaeology, survey or GIS).
• Demonstrable potential to write authoritative academic discussions for archaeological publications.
• Survey skills, including ability to operate Leica 1200 series GPS/TST, and basic knowledge and understanding of CAD.
• Possession of a current and valid CSCS Health and Safety Card or recent CSCS test pass.

Location

Milton Keynes

Department

Fieldwork

Employment Type

Full Time - Perm

Minimum Experience

Manager/Supervisor

Compensation

£41,075 - £43,792