Associate Director/ Director – Heritage

We are looking to recruit an Associate Director, following the departure of a long-standing colleague from our Manchester based Heritage Team.  We are also able to consider appointing at Director level for the right candidate. You’ll be responsible for managing our established, existing local client base in Manchester and the North West as well as seeking to grow the business further. The Manchester office is now fully ‘agile’ so this position would suit home-working.

The RPS Heritage team is renowned for its deep expertise in archaeology, built heritage, historic landscapes and industrial archaeology.  Our projects are all around you. We define, design and manage projects that create shared value to a complex, urbanising and resource-scarce world. Our people are our success. We need people who share our passion on solving the problems that matter. With us, you’ll find work that is challenging and rewarding, and you’ll be supported every step of the way.

What you’ll be doing

Whether at Associate or Director level, the position will involve preparation of DBAs/ES chapters, WSIs and tendering schemes of work. At Director level you will be expected to be able to work almost entirely independently and to be able to defend your technical advice at Public Inquiry as necessary. At Associate Director level you will be mentored and provided with appropriate experience and training to be able to progress through to Director in due course. The aim at both levels will be that you build relationships with existing clients as a ‘trusted advisor’ and look to build upon and enhance the office’s existing client base. At Director level there will be an assumption that you will be looking, from the outset, to undertake business development through provision of CPD sessions and attendance of networking events etc.

Who we are looking for

Ideally you should have first or second degree in Archaeology or a related subject and be a Member of CIfA. Both posts are likely to suit applicants with a strong fieldwork background and at Project Manager level or above including work on complex multi-period sites in a developer-funded context. You should have a good understanding of on-site Health and Safety, a familiarity with the position of archaeology within the planning process and a technical understanding of relevant legislation. You must have demonstrable experience of working in Manchester and/or the North West more generally and a good understanding of the local archaeology and curators etc. 

As a Director you should have great mentoring/coaching skills and be creative and strategic in your approach.  You’ll be used to a client-facing role and have an established market reputation and work-winning ability.  Technical knowledge and competence goes without saying; good financial and project management skills are a must, as are great influencing and communication skills that enable you to build, maintain and consolidate strong working relationships with colleagues, clients and external bodies.

What’s in it for you?

We will provide you with a competitive salary, opportunities to invest and many other benefits including:  25 days holiday + bank holidays, Option to purchase up to 5 extra days per year, Car allowance, Company pension scheme, Group Disability Scheme, Share Incentive Scheme, Life Assurance, Cycle to Work Scheme, Health Screening, Employee Assistance Programme (including numerous wellbeing initiatives and mental health support), Dental Cover, Professional Memberships and access to BenefitHub offering discounts, cash back offers and rewards.
 

We’re an accredited training provider – from entry level to master’s degree level professional qualifications in leadership & management and executive coaching & mentoring, we support learning and development for everyone.

A personal development plan and a transparent career pathway puts you in the driving seat of your career and you’ll be supported as far as you want to go.

We encourage and value different ideas, perspectives, and styles of thinking. We need a mix of experiences and skills to develop the most innovative ideas. We respect one another and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. You’ll be joining a diverse community and a company that puts its people first and prioritises their wellbeing.

We understand the need to work flexibly, with agile offices and hybrid working offered as standard, we’re happy to talk about flexible working. This is a workplace that works for you.

A career here is far from ordinary. Here you’re not a number, you’re part of the solution.

If you would like to discuss the advertised positions please call (in confidence) Simon Mortimer, Deputy Operations Director on 07730 648636.

What happens next?

Applications can be made via our careers page:  https://rpsgroup.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1366?c=rpsgroup

The Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application.  If your application is progressed, you’ll have a conversation with one of our recruiters followed by a two-stage interview process with the Team.

If this opportunity suits your career journey, we’d love to hear from you. All applications will be considered, and we will try our best to respond to you within seven working days.