Senior Archaeological Illustrator

Senior Archaeological Illustrator

Location:

Edinburgh, Cleckheaton, Silsoe or Hereford
Contract Type:
Permanent
Closing Date: 27th July 2026

• Assist the graphics manager with department management, including preparing costings on graphics work.
• Delegate tasks, provide support, training, mentoring, QA and supervision for less senior members of the Graphics Team.
• Supervise workload and graphics outputs for larger projects.
• Contribute ideas to maintain and improve the quality of graphics output at Headland.
• Provide general graphic support and guidance to the wider team.
• Create technically correct artwork, implementing brand guidelines and styles for print and digital output.
• Produce high‑quality graphics for archaeological grey literature or publications using Adobe CC, QGIS, Sketch Up, Blender and other software.
• Work with site data such as survey plans, photographs, historical maps, geotechnical and topographical information.
• Create illustrations for publications.
• Produce artefact illustrations (drawings, photography) to publication standard.
• Typeset documentation where required.

• A degree in archaeology, archaeological science or a related discipline (highly advantageous). Professional archaeological fieldwork experience within the UK commercial environment preferred.
• Excellent time management; ability to work to a brief within budget and tight deadline.
• Creative problem‑solving; ability to handle multiple and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Great attention to detail and ability to produce highly accurate work.
• Responsible and accountable for your work, actions and decisions.
• High level of computer literacy.
• Demonstrable high proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), GIS software (QGIS or ESRI ArcGIS), Excel, MS Office and at least one of the following:
  Agisoft Photoscan, Sketch Up, Blender.
• Willingness and ability to learn new software.
• Fluent spoken and written English.

• 3D modelling.
• Expertise in creating site interpretation plans and archaeological reconstructions.
• Photography and image manipulation.
• Good composition and layout skills; experience creating promotional materials for print and web.
• Video capturing and editing (Premiere).
• Animation skills (After Effects).
• Membership of the Institute of Archaeologists, including the GAG special interest group.
• Experience in photogrammetry.
• Driving licence.

• Competitive pay and annual profit discretionary bonus.
• Paid subsistence when applicable.
• Paid accommodation when travelling away.
• Use of cutting‑edge technology on site (paperless systems, iPads).
• Ongoing regular training in health & safety, technical areas and transferable skills.
• Time off in lieu of overtime or paid overtime.
• Monthly clothing allowance.
• 30 days annual leave, increasing with service length.
• Extra annual leave purchase scheme.
• Employer contribution to pension scheme (5‑6%).
• Income protection policy after a year.
• Life assurance policy – 4× annual salary after a year.
• Regular performance, wellbeing and professional development check‑ins.
• Referral scheme with generous fee.
• Support group of 30+ Mental Health First Aiders.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Paid CIfA membership.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme.

Headland is an equal‑opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you have a disability or need adjustments for the interview, contact  for suitable arrangements.