Job Description

As part of one of the leading archaeological practices in Britain, Cotswold Archaeology's Community Engagement Team is everything you would expect it to be: dynamic, innovative, enthusiastic and hard-working in co-ordinating and delivering a raft of outreach events and digital engagement on behalf of clients and to help achieve our charitable objectives. Activities range from major community engagement projects, online webinars and in-person talks and lectures, to in-house volunteer and work-experience opportunities, school and university workshops and careers fairs: with new stories of our discoveries and activities posted weekly to our website - all signposted and supported by our lively social media presence that is sector-leading in terms of public engagement across our platforms.





We are looking to recruit a dynamic and efficient Community Engagement Manager OR Assistant Community Engagement Manager: to help design and deliver an upcoming suite of outreach programmes from our Suffolk office.





You will need to have considerable experience of outreach delivery within the commercial archaeological sector, as well as a background in fieldwork. The post-holder will have responsibility for designing projects to suit our client and local community needs, assessing the resource requirements and delivering successful and engaging projects to agreed budgets.



You will be an excellent communicator, hardworking and with a deep commitment to sharing with a diverse audience the exciting discoveries made during our excavations using a wide range of media. You will have experience of designing and delivering projects appropriate for a wide audience taking consideration of available budgets.



You will have archaeological fieldwork experience and be able to lead community fieldwork projects, familiar with the principles of effective information dissemination and most importantly you will have the drive and imagination to enthuse our clients, audiences and colleagues. You should be able to produce well-written and engaging non-technical narratives, and hold a good understanding of the principles of public display. You should also be able to confidently lead a team as well as work proactively with colleagues from our fieldwork and post-excavations teams. You will need a good theoretical understanding of community engagement and Social Value reporting. A full manual driving licence is required.





In return, we are able to offer an attractive benefits package which includes 23-30 days annual leave (dependent on grade and length of service), company sick pay, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, life assurance and a pension scheme. We expect the successful candidate to be a CIfA member at MCIfA level (or be prepared to apply once in post) for which Cotswold Archaeology funds the annual subscription.

FIND OUT MORE

If this exciting and rare opportunity interests you and you want to find out more, for an informal discussion contact Jo Caruth (07764 371411 or 01449 900121) or Martin Watts (07793 085197).

Closing date for completed applications: 10 am, Monday 17th November 2025.

Main duties and responsibilities:

At

Manager

level:

Manage CA's engagement projects and budgets in line with the annual engagement plan. Manage project development and delivery including the management of staff and the development and deployment of resources. Where appropriate, ensure liaison and co-ordination with staff across the company. The effective management of the engagement team through line management and the monitoring of performance and targets, delivery schedules and workloads. Oversee the training and support of staff to deliver outreach events. Provide advice, guidance and support to all staff members who wish to participate in outreach activities. Devise project and engagement plans for outreach activities including the preparation of annual and individual project budgets, targets, and timescales as well as the identification of resources to ensure successful, on-time delivery. Contribute to CA's reporting process including the preparation of annual reports, policy documents and processes. Advise on best practices in the engagement field, and where appropriate, recommend changes to practices and processes. Keep up to date with developments in public engagement including research, toolkits and other documentation produced by CIfA, Historic England and other professional and/or research bodies. Disseminate knowledge to the engagement team on developments. Make recommendations for change in practice and policy to reflect current thinking and best practice. Identify and follow up on opportunities for funded community engagement projects. Develop our network of stakeholders by strengthening existing partnerships and creating new relationships. Provide tenders for outreach work for review by senior management, either as part of other CA/OCA projects or as stand-alone outreach activities. Ensure the effective and efficient organisation of the engagement team including the monitoring of record keeping including project evaluation, file notes, time costs, invoices, and expenses. Ensure projects are carried out in accordance with CA Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies, preparing risk assessments and all other relevant documentation. Contribute to departmental processes and working practices via learning reports, feedback to committee representatives and/or project leaders, and discussion at performance reviews. Carry out any other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine from time to time.

At

Assistant Manager

level:

Assist in the management of outreach and engagement projects, taking responsibility for their co-ordination and administration to ensure delivery to time and budget, including management of staff, volunteers and resources. Contribute to the effective management of the outreach and engagement team through line management of staff, management of schedules and workloads. Assist in the training of staff to deliver outreach events and provide advice and support to all staff members who wish to participate in outreach activities. Devise project designs and engagement plan for outreach activities for review by relevant managers and identify the resources needed to ensure successful delivery of those projects. Identify opportunities for funded Outreach projects and develop our network of stakeholders by strengthening existing partnerships and creating new relationships. Provide tenders for outreach work for review by management, either as part of other CA projects or as stand-alone outreach activities. Ensure accurate maintenance of appropriate administrative records, including project evaluation, file notes, time costs, invoices and expenses, and including monitoring and assessment of such records. Ensure that projects are carried out in accordance with CA Health and Safety and Safeguarding policies, preparing risk assessments and all other relevant documentation. Contribute to departmental processes and working practices via learning reports, feedback to committee representatives and/or project leaders, and discussion at performance reviews. Contribute to CA's reporting process including the preparation of annual reports, policy documents and processes Carry out any other duties commensurate with responsibilities as CA may determine from time to time.

Person Specification

At

Manager

level:

Essential

Excellent organisational, administrative and time management skills, with the ability to manage a busy work schedule across numerous projects and operate effectively as part of the Publications Management team. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to deal efficiently, effectively, and courteously with colleagues, clients, curators, volunteers, and other stakeholders, and across a wide range of public and professional audiences. Proven experience of developing and delivering outreach and community engagement projects/activities to a wide range of audiences, including preparing successful funding bids and creating communities engaged with heritage projects. Proven experience of line management and staff appraisals, and the ability to develop outreach skills of team members through effective training, coaching, and mentoring. Ability to design, promote and deliver high quality and innovative public archaeology community engagement programmes. A sound understanding of the principles of Social Value and Public Benefit and their application in the heritage/archaeological sectors, and experience of techniques such as audience mapping, feedback collection and analysis, and measures of well-being. A sound knowledge of all periods of British archaeology and experience of archaeological fieldwork conducted under commercial conditions. A sound understanding of the health and safety and safeguarding issues surrounding community archaeology and the ability to obtain full DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance. Demonstrable experience of project management, including setting and working to deadlines and budgets. Experience in line management and staff appraisals. Established IT skills, including the MS Office suite. Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists at MCIfA level (or able to demonstrate that you meet the requirements for membership - candidates who are not already a member must be prepared to join immediately on appointment). A full manual driving licence.

Desirable

Public engagement qualification or relevant experience.

At

Assistant Manager

level:

Essential

Excellent organisational, administrative and time management skills, with the ability to manage a busy work schedule across numerous projects and operate effectively as part of a management team. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to deal efficiently, effectively and courteously with colleagues, clients, curators, volunteers and other stakeholders, and across a wide range of public and professional audiences. Proven experience of developing and delivering outreach and community engagement projects/activities to a wide range of audiences, including preparing successful funding bids and creating communities engaged with heritage projects. Ability to develop outreach skills of other team members through effective training, coaching and mentoring. Ability to design, promote and deliver high quality and innovative public archaeology community engagement programmes. Familiarity with techniques such as audience mapping, feedback collection and analysis, measures of well-being, etc., A sound knowledge of all periods of British archaeology and experience of archaeological fieldwork conducted under commercial conditions. A sound understanding of the health and safety and safeguarding issues surrounding community archaeology and the ability to obtain full DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance. Established IT skills, including the MS Office suite. Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists(ACIfA level). A full manual driving licence.

Desirable

Experience of project management, including setting and working to deadlines and budgets. Experience in line management and staff appraisals. Public engagement qualification or relevant experience * A sound understanding of the principles of Social Value and Public Benefit and their application in the heritage/archaeological sectors, and experience of techniques such as audience mapping, feedback collection and analysis, and measures of well-being.