Planning and Heritage Consultancy Director

Planning and Heritage Consultancy Director

Salary: £65-£71k depending on experience
Location: Sheffield or Amesbury (flexible/hybrid working supported; other office locations considered, including Bristol or Rochester)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reference: HDIR.10.26
Closing date: 16th November 2026  
Interviews: Final interviews are provisionally scheduled for the first week of December. Location will be confirmed with shortlisted candidates

Why join us?

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.

The role
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.

Main responsibilities

• 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.

About you

• 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 explain and support your professional recommendations clearly.
• Evidence of setting direction, delivering results through others and supporting their development, gained through team or project leadership.
• Commercial judgement and experience managing project or service finances, including fee proposals, budgets and forecasts.
• Experience building productive relationships with clients and professional partners, and the ability to recognise and develop business opportunities.
• The ability to work across disciplines and turn ideas into practical improvements in service performance.

Membership of a relevant professional body is desirable.

What can you look forward to?

Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to continuous improvements in our benefits, we’re committed to creating a safe, fair and inclusive working environment.

We offer:

• 27 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays
• Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 6.5%.
• Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.

Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits:

• Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
• Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
• 5 days of paid carers leave.
• Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
• Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
• AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.

Sustainability and other benefits:

• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Bike2Work scheme.
• Full reimbursement of the cost of one professional membership 
• High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
• Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
• Subsistence allowance.

How to apply

Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by 5:00 pm on 16th November 2026 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk. All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. Final interviews are provisionally scheduled for the first week of December 2026. If you have questions about the role, then please contact Abby Bryant at a.bryant@wessexarch.co.uk.  

We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process.

Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.