Planning and Heritage Consultancy Director

Wessex Archaeology is one of the UK’s largest and most established archaeological and heritage organisations. We work on major projects across the UK and internationally, above ground, below ground and underwater.

Archaeology and heritage are the focus of the whole organisation. Joining Wessex means working alongside specialists across the historic environment, within a professional community whose knowledge and relationships have been built over many years.

As an educational charity, we share the knowledge gained from our work through education, interpretation and public engagement. We create opportunities for people to explore and understand the past, take part in archaeology and connect with the heritage of the places where they live and work.

You’ll lead our Planning and Heritage Consultancy Directorate, an established team of consultants across our offices. The service provides historic environment advice for planning, development and heritage management, working with a range of established clients. The role gives you scope to shape Consultancy’s professional direction and lead its continued development.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, you will be accountable for the performance of the Consultancy service as a whole, including its finances, people, resources, professional standards and risk. You will lead through senior colleagues, supporting their development and providing senior technical judgement on complex work.

Alongside fellow Directors, you will shape and deliver shared commercial priorities across Wessex Archaeology. You will maintain and develop key client relationships, working closely with the Commercial Services Director and other service leads to secure new and repeat work and coordinate consultancy and specialist input as clients’ projects progress.

As a member of our Senior Leadership Group, you will also contribute to organisational strategy and wider business decisions, bringing Consultancy’s client and market insight to discussions about services, capability and future priorities.

• Set the strategic direction and priorities for your team, aligning service development with Wessex Archaeology’s strategy.
• Provide senior oversight of historic environment assessment and advice, including technical review and judgement on complex planning and development matters.
• Lead and develop the team through Principals and senior colleagues, with clear responsibilities, effective delegation and attention to professional development and wellbeing.
• Set and deliver the Consultancy budget, with accountability for revenue and profitability, matching capacity to demand and maintaining financial control across the service and its projects.
• Represent Wessex with clients, planning authorities and professional partners, leading business development and maintaining relationships that support successful commissions and business development.
• Work with other Directors and service leads to coordinate consultancy and specialist input across projects and shape the development of Wessex’s services.
• Oversee quality assurance and the management of project, contractual and health and safety risks.
• Contribute to organisational strategy through the Senior Leadership Group, bringing a Consultancy perspective to decisions about markets, services and capability.

Whether you already lead a consultancy service or are ready for a broader leadership role, we’d like to hear from you. You’ll need to bring:

• Specialist expertise in historic environment planning consultancy, with detailed knowledge of the UK planning system, relevant heritage legislation and professional standards.
• Experience advising on complex or sensitive heritage matters, with the ability to…