Job Description

Senior Built Heritage Consultant, Place Services
Permanent, Full Time
40,182 to 47,272 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style:
Closing Date: 8th October 2025
*You will work from the Chelmsford office at least one day a week and across our operational area on other days, depending on business need.
Place Services is at the forefront of environmental consultancy in the public sector, and integral to our success are our people. Our purpose is to support public sector organisations to deliver their role in sustainable development. The growth of our service means we are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and versatile historic buildings specialist to join our Historic Environment team. We are looking for resourceful and creative people, who will relish the opportunity to develop and share their ideas and expertise, contributing to the collective intelligence of our team, and our clients.
The Senior Built Heritage Consultant will advise on sensitive and complex built heritage matters including: providing development management and policy advice to local authorities; acting as project lead on evaluation and delivery of heritage assessments; advising on historic building conservation and repair; completing historic building surveys, and leading complex specialist tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects.
The role requires a qualified, experienced and accomplished subject-matter expert with strong technical expertise, practical knowledge and understanding of built heritage issues and relevant legislation, policy, standards and guidance, as well as strong client relationship, business development, communication and information management skills.
Accountabilities
Accountable for the effective delivery of a range of built heritage services, including: managing a demanding caseload of major, complex and sensitive development management and consent consultations at all stages of the planning/consent process (pre-application, application and post consent); evaluating and carrying out heritage assessments (HIA, DBA, EIA) of large-scale, challenging and complex sites; advising on large-scale and historic building repair and conservation projects; designing and undertaking a range of surveys, including detailed data capture, analysis and presentation; and carrying out specialist tasks as part of multi-disciplinary projects, acting as specialist lead.
Responsible for the review and development of legislation, plans, policy and standards, collecting, preserving and analysing evidence, including preparation of case work documents for complex cases (including for planning appeals and enforcement) to recognised standards, reviewing outcomes, and assessing third party compliance.
Responsible for building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external clients and partners, managing low to moderate value accounts, seeking feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and role modelling a client-focused culture across Place Services.
Act in an account management role, retaining and influencing existing clients through effective relationships, and helping foster a client-focused culture and commercial mind-set across Place Services.
Responsible for the identification of new business opportunities, seeking sales and client accounts by tendering on moderate to high-value opportunities, and enhancing the recognition and reputation of Place Services through networking and promotional activities.
Responsible for securing competitor and market intelligence for the Built Heritage specialism in order to develop and maintain understanding of the issues, opportunities, risks, profitability and trends within its key markets.
Responsible for promoting the Built Heritage specialism and Place Services through networking and by developing and delivering marketing material, papers, seminars, events and training, collaborating with peers across disciplines.
Responsible for actively keeping updated within the specialism, building on technical knowledge and commercial acumen, seeking feedback and knowledge, coaching and mentoring consultants and junior consultants, helping to maintain a professional culture of high performance.
Work collaboratively to support joined up, integrated and effective team working to create a positive team culture within Place Services.
Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelor's degree) or equivalent in a relevant subject, with significant post-qualification experience and good evidence of relevant continuous professional development including full membership of the Institute of Historic Buildings Conservation.
Strong knowledge of legislation, planning policy and good practice relating to the historic environment, including office and site-based practices and procedures.
Good understanding of commercial practices and how these contribute to the success of the wider team, with sales and marketing experience, including preparation of bids and tenders.
Strong technical experience to a high standard, including: planning and listed buildings advice; heritage assessments and appraisals; historic building repair and conservation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, publication and presentation, allied with confident and professional interpersonal and negotiation skills.
Strong project management skills, including ability to prioritise work whilst maintaining focus on key projects or activities, within defined timescales.
Skilled in using all Microsoft applications.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Comprehensive CPD is available with the role, including access to our annual programme of Traditional Building Skills, Conservation courses and lectures:
Place Services is a unique business and a great place to work. To find out more about us please visit:
For an informal discussion please contact the Historic Environment Manager, Tim Murphy via tim.murphy@essex.gov.uk / 0333 032 0847.
Your benefits package
Benefits include:

• Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum (plus bank holidays), with the opportunity to buy additional annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Employee Wellbeing and Counselling provision
• Employee Networks
• Volunteering leave
• Eye care vouchers, travel discounts, season ticket loans and much more!

There is also an employee Rewards Scheme available for all permanent/FTC employees, which includes:

• Retail and restaurant discounts
• Cashback on purchases
• Private health and dental care plans

Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about ) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
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