Heritage Consultant/Senior Heritage Consultant

With over sixty years’ experience in the repair and renewal of listed buildings, Donald Insall Associates provides strategic advice on change and development within the historic environment. The practice has a dedicated Heritage and Townscape Consultancy team to support clients embarking on development projects at all scales, from individual houses to urban masterplans. The consultancy team primarily advises design teams on commercially-focussed projects in Oxford and Birmingham, as well as in the surrounding counties, but also work with DIA’s conservation architects on some of the country’s most significant historic buildings.

The Consultancy team comprises historians, former conservation officers, Historic England inspectors and architects and often work alongside our clients’ chosen architect to analyse what is special about a building or place, guide alterations, and support clients through the planning and listed building consent process. Our overarching aim is to use our understanding of the past to revitalise historic buildings and places and guide new interventions. We are often an integral part of the wider project team, and provide our advice dynamically, to ensure the best outcomes.

Some of our current workload includes projects for Oxford colleges and the University of Oxford, the NHS, the National Trust, private developers and individuals who own historic properties.

Job Purpose:

We are looking for either an experienced Senior Heritage Consultant, or a Heritage Consultant to join our team in Oxford, supporting projects principally in Oxford and Birmingham but also across the home counties, south west and midlands regions. You would be required to oversee and write reports and to provide expert heritage advice to our clients and their design teams. To be considered for the senior role, you should have at least 4 years post-qualification experience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work successfully as part of the wider heritage consultancy team in a fast-paced commercial environment

• To write expert heritage impact assessments, including the historical background of the site (generally provided by our in-house researchers), description of the site and building, an assessment of heritage significance and an analysis and justification of the proposals for change.

• To provide expert heritage advice to clients and design teams in meetings (in-person or remotely), during workshops and by email.

• To advocate for the scheme on behalf of the client with relevant stakeholders

• To support and mentor more junior members of staff, and become involved with the team and its goals

• To develop a good understanding of the Practice, its philosophy, members, areas of expertise, clients, and competitors.

• Any other reasonable duties that arise from the nature and character of the post, as requested by the line manager or other designated team members.

Please note:

In order to undertake all aspects of the role, the post holder will sometimes be required to visit sites, which may require climbing ladders and surfaces and visiting construction sites.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

At least 4 years post-qualification heritage advisory experience (to be considered for the senior role) gained either in the public or private sectors (please note neither post is suitable for recent graduates without practical experience in the field).

A demonstrable passion for the historic environment, and the ability to communicate this to non-experts in an inspiring and accessible manner.

Sound knowledge and understanding of all periods of British architectural history, likely to be supported by an appropriate qualification (e.g. BA Architectural History, Art History or History or Post Graduate certificate/diploma in Building Conservation or Architectural History).

Sound knowledge and understanding of the English planning system, the National Planning Policy Framework and the roles of the various stakeholders in the heritage sector, such as local authorities, Historic England, and national and local amenity groups.

Excellent writing skills, and the ability to confidently draw together information gained from site visits and archival sources into succinct, accurate and engaging text.

An eye for excellence in design and architecture, and the ability to communicate, both in writing and verbally, this effectively with design and non-design professionals alike.

Demonstrable experience of taking a pragmatic, creative and constructive approach to heritage conservation, with some understanding of commercial development constraints.

Strong negotiating and advocacy skills. The ability to successfully develop proposals with a design team by meeting the aspirations of the building’s owners and users while satisfying the requirements of the statutory authorities and respecting the significance of historic places.

High levels of self-sufficiency and motivation with the ability to meet tight deadlines, work effectively as part of a team as well as taking ownership of individual projects.

Experience of townscape consultancy, as distinct from heritage consultancy, would be an advantage.

• A good level of IT literacy (Word, excel, adobe).

Desirable:

• Membership of appropriate bodies, e.g. IHBC.

Please note: we regret we are unable to consider applications for this role from candidates who will require sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa now or in
the future.