Senior Project Officers - MILTON KEYNES

Cotswold Archaeology; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 41,075 - 43,792; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined pension scheme

Life assurance scheme

31 days leave (incl. bank holidays)

Lieu and overtime scheme

Good accommodation & subsistence for 7

CIfA membership paid

Employee Assistance Programme

PPE provided

Job summary

Cotswold Archaeology is seeking a Senior Project Officer in Milton Keynes. You will lead site delivery, manage staff, and ensure quality site records and archives to publication standards.

The role requires strong leadership, health & safety oversight and proactive liaison with clients and authorities. Based in the Fieldwork department, you will coordinate planning, reporting and administration, while supporting project managers and promoting public engagement.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising large fieldwork and desk-based projects.
• Knowledge of archaeology across British periods.
• Ability to write reports to publication standard.
• Organise, motivate, train and direct staff.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements.
• Excellent communication with sponsors, clients and public.
• Carrying out First Aid where required.

Responsibilities

• Lead site delivery of projects, meeting time, budget, quality and health & safety requirements.
• Manage and develop staff through training, coaching and performance improvement.
• Ensure quality of archaeological understanding and site records, oversee archives to standards.
• Author reports to publication standard.
• Provide progress reports to Project Managers on progress, logistics, staff and safety.
• Ensure accurate administration records and timesheets.
• Deploy and maintain vehicles, plant and equipment with records.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety policy and risk assessments.
• Assist in pre-project planning, trench plans and utility coordination.
• Deputise for the Project Manager when needed.
• Promote public awareness through displays, media, lectures.

Skills

Archaeological practice

Staff supervision

Budgets and timescales

Report writing

Training and appraisal

Health & safety

Sponsor/client communication

Record keeping & accounts

Driving licence

MS Word/Excel/Database

ACIFA membership

First Aid

Education

Membership of Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (ACIFA)

Tools

Leica GPS/TST

CAD knowledge

MS Excel & databases

Job description

Job Description

Location: Milton Keynes

Title: Senior Project Officer

Department: Fieldwork

Pay Scale: 20-22

Salary: £41,075 - £43,792 per annum (based on a 37.5‑hour week).

Contract type: Permanent (subject to completion of a 6‑month probationary period).

Reports to: Fieldwork Manager. Responsible for: Project Officers, Project Supervisors, Archaeologists and Trainees.

Responsibilities

• Lead site delivery of projects, meeting time, budget, quality and health & safety requirements.
• Manage and develop staff through training, coaching and performance improvement.
• Ensure quality of archaeological understanding and site records, oversee compilation of archives to required standards.
• Author reports to publication standard.
• Provide regular progress reports to Project Managers on project progress, logistics, staff, and health & safety issues, and maintain liaison with clients, local government officers and contractors.
• Ensure accurate completion and approval of administrative records, including timesheets, plant and allocation sheets.
• Ensure effective deployment and maintenance of vehicles, plant and equipment, and keep accurate records.
• Lead responsibility for ensuring projects comply with the company’s Health & Safety policy, prepare risk assessments and other documentation.
• Assist Project Managers in pre‑project planning and preparation, including writing schemes of investigation, trench plans, obtaining service information, notifying utility companies before excavation, and contacting landowners, agents and other relevant parties.
• Deputise for the Project Manager where appropriate.
• Promote and develop public awareness of the work through displays, publications, media liaison, lectures, etc.
• Be rostered on protracted away projects, provided accommodation and the opportunity to accrue lieu and overtime.
• 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 British archaeology across all periods.
• Experience supervising large fieldwork (excavation) and desk‑based projects.
• Knowledge of business needs, budgets and timescales in commercial archaeology.
• Ability to write reports to publication standard.
• Ability to organise, motivate, train, appraise and direct staff.
• Good working knowledge of all relevant health and safety requirements.
• Excellent communication skills with sponsors, clients, officers of other bodies and the public.
• Administrative ability in record keeping and accounts and report submission.
• Full manual driving licence and willingness to drive company vehicles (4x4s, vans and minibuses).
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and database skills.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists (minimum ACIFA) or willingness to become a member at this level.
• Competence in carrying out First Aid.

Personal Specification – Desirable

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

Benefits

• Defined pension scheme.
• Life assurance scheme.
• 31 days leave (including bank holidays), increasing with length of service.
• Lieu and overtime scheme for driving time and time beyond the normal 7.5‑hour day, accumulating up to 10 days additional lieu time annually.
• Good quality accommodation and subsistence payments (£24 per night spent away) for all away projects.
• Paid CIfA membership subscription.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Provision of personal protective equipment during employment.

Cotswold Archaeology is an equal opportunities employer. All applications are assessed solely on the candidate’s relevant skills and experience. We will consider any reasonable adjustments required to support candidates. For additional support related to neurodiversity or other reasons, contact [e-mail]. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.