Location
Chelmsford office (minimum one day per week) and across Essex operational area depending on business need.

Hours
Full Time, Permanent

Salary
£45,749 to £53,822 per annum

About the Role
Place Services is a multi-disciplinary consultancy within Essex County Council providing environmental and planning services to the Council, local authorities and other public bodies. The Principal Historic Environment Consultant leads on all historic environment matters, ensuring effective operational and commercial management of the Historic Environment specialism. This role is accountable for the delivery and commercial development of historic environment services, leading a specialist team providing planning advice, heritage assessment, historic area appraisals, field survey, and Historic Environment Record (HER) management across Essex and England.

The role requires a qualified, highly experienced subject matter expert with advanced technical expertise, practical knowledge of historic environment issues, relevant legislation and policy, strong business development skills, financial and information management capabilities, and excellent communication. You will manage a team, build client relationships, lead multi-disciplinary projects, and ensure sustainable development and environmental protection.

Key responsibilities include managing complex development management consultations, heritage assessments (DBA, HIA, EIA), large-scale historic environment records and data projects, complex surveys, contract and project management, and generating new business to expand the client base and increase revenue. You will act as the discipline lead, providing authoritative advice to members, senior officers, and internal accounts, while fostering a client-focused culture.

The role also involves staff development, coaching, mentoring, delivering training, and contributing to sector skills development through training and events. You will support ECC and client responsibilities regarding heritage assets and the wider historic environment, with line management responsibility for consultants in the team.

This position requires mobility across the operational area, so a driving licence and access to a vehicle or alternative means to meet mobility requirements are essential.

Experience
- Educated to at least RQF level 6 (Bachelor's degree) with a postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
- Substantial post-qualification experience with strong evidence of continuing professional development.
- Full Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIfA).
- Authoritative technical expertise in development management processes, planning policy, legislation, enforcement standards, heritage assessment (HIA, DBA, EIA), Historic Environment Record management, conservation management planning, and field survey techniques.
- Extensive experience managing development management cases and Historic Environment Records.
- Proven team management experience including staff development, performance management, coaching, mentoring, and training delivery.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills, including managing complex client interactions and public consultations.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of business growth through bid winning.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing large-scale complex projects from concept to completion.
- Effective financial management skills.
- Strong understanding of wellbeing and health & safety, including risk assessment and promoting a culture of safety and wellbeing.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft applications, databases, HBSMR, GIS, and other information management systems.

About you
- Highly motivated and authoritative subject matter expert.
- Skilled in building and maintaining strong client relationships.
- Able to work collaboratively and lead teams effectively.
- Committed to sustainable development and environmental protection.
- Flexible and mobile to meet the operational requirements of the role.

Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree with postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience.
- Full professional membership of a relevant body (e.g. CIfA).