Principal Archaeologist

Permanent,Full Time

up to £55,706 per annum + benefits

Location:

Essex*

Closing Date: 13th December 2026

* Whilst contractually based at our Chelmsford office, with attendance expected on one day per week, there is flexibility for home-working alongside site visits across our operational area as required.

Place Services is a unique multi-disciplinary practice within Essex County Council, with expertise in archaeology, built heritage, ecology, arboriculture, landscape, countryside management, urban design, and planning. Our purpose is to support the public sector to deliver sustainable development, enhancing and conserving the historic, natural, and built environment, and achieving well-designed places. Our archaeologists advise local planning authorities throughout Essex, Sussex, the South Downs National Park, and historic city of St Albans.

We are looking to appoint a Principal Historic Environment Consultant to lead the effective development and delivery of our archaeological services. You will support our Historic Environment Manager to ensure those services are efficient, high quality and financially sustainable, balancing income generation with a strong commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection and the long-term success of the team.

• By applying your comprehensive knowledge of British archaeology, field techniques, and the development management process, you will provide authoritative archaeological advice across the full planning lifecycle, supporting planning authorities to meet their statutory duties in relation to heritage assets and the wider historic environment.

• By managing complex projects and contracts, including high-quality heritage assessments, archaeological surveys, and overseeing the management of historic environment data, you will ensure delivery against agreed budgets, specifications and performance measures.

• Through effective line management, building individual capabilities and embedding a strong commercial mindset within your team, you will boost performance and ensure everyone achieves their potential.

• By identifying opportunities, securing new clients and leading bids and tenders, you will drive new business activity for your team.

• By sharing your knowledge through training and professional learning, you will contribute to skills development across the sector.

• As our lead archaeologist, you will build strong client and partner relationships, and provide your expert advice to Council members, senior officers, and internal teams.

• The 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.

Please note the internal job title of this role is Principal Historic Environment Consultant. For a copy of the full role profile please email  For an informal discussion around this opportunity, please contact Tim Murphy, Historic Environment Manager, via  or .

Comprehensive CPD is available within the role, including access to our annual programme of Traditional Building Skills, Conservation courses and lectures:

• Holiday entitlement of 27 days per annum (plus bank holidays), with the opportunity to buy additional annual leave
• Local Government Pension Scheme:
• Employee Wellbeing and counselling provision
• Volunteering leave
• Eye care vouchers
• Travel discounts and season ticket loans
• Retail and restaurant discounts and cashback on purchases

Place Services is a unique business and a great place to work.

To find out more about us please visit:

Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work…