Senior Heritage Consultant

About the Practice

An established, design-led architectural and heritage consultancy based in Bristol is seeking an experienced Senior Heritage Consultant to join its growing team. The practice works across the South West and nationally on projects involving historic buildings, sensitive sites, and complex heritage contexts - delivering thoughtful conservation, adaptive reuse, and contemporary interventions within historic environments.

The Role

The Senior Heritage Consultant will lead on heritage strategy and advice across a diverse portfolio of projects. Working closely with architects, planners, and clients, you will provide expert input from early feasibility through to planning and listed building consent stages, ensuring proposals are informed by a clear understanding of heritage significance and policy.

This is a senior position with responsibility for project leadership, client liaison, and mentoring junior team members.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the preparation of:

Heritage Statements

Statements of Significance

Heritage Impact Assessments

Conservation Management Plans

Listed Building Consent documentation

Provide strategic heritage advice at feasibility and pre-application stages

Advise on developments affecting listed buildings, conservation areas, and non-designated heritage assets

Liaise with local planning authorities, conservation officers, and statutory consultees

Attend client meetings, stakeholder consultations, and design reviews

Contribute to fee proposals, tenders, and business development

Support and mentor junior staff

Ensure compliance with relevant UK heritage legislation and planning policy

Person Specification

Essential

Degree in Heritage Conservation, Architectural History, Planning, or a related discipline

Substantial experience in built heritage consultancy

Strong knowledge of UK heritage legislation and national and local planning policy

Demonstrable experience preparing robust, well-argued heritage assessments

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong project management and organisational abilities

Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

Desirable

Professional accreditation (e.g., IHBC, CIfA or similar)

Experience acting as Expert Witness

Established professional network within the South West

Experience contributing to Conservation Area Appraisals or Local List reviews

What's Offered

Senior role within a progressive and collaborative practice

Opportunity to shape and influence heritage strategy

Supportive studio culture in Bristol

Competitive salary (dependent on experience)

Flexible working arrangements