Project Manager

Who we need

We are looking for a confident, ambitious, enthusiastic and successful individual to join our fieldwork team as a Project Manager based at our Sheffield office. Whether you are an established manager or looking to progress your career into project management this is a great opportunity to advance your professional project management and leadership skills in a supportive setting, whilst always being encouraged to develop autonomy in your role. This role would suit an individual with substantive experience of working as a senior leader or manager of commercial archaeological fieldwork projects. As a key member of the regional team, working with our specialists across many different offices and departments, you will develop innovative responses to a wide range of exciting and challenging projects from tendering to project completion.

You will directly contribute to the business development of the regional office and proactively market the Company, whilst developing a portfolio of your own projects and key clients in the process. Wessex Archaeology is a truly collaborative organisation, and though based in the Sheffield region, the successful candidate will work with our project teams in all regions on some of the most significant and challenging heritage projects across the UK and beyond.

Our Project Managers are not only responsible for creation, planning, management and safe delivery of high-quality projects and tasks which fulfil the vision and values of the Company, but also contribute directly to our sustainability and charitable objectives. As an educational charity, our work has a significant benefit on our collective aspiration to broaden an understanding of our heritage and the social impacts it can create. As befits an organisation of our size, your projects will undoubtedly include large and complex programmes of work.

What we require

This position requires an applicant with:

• experience as a project manager or as a senior leader in the commercial environment.
• experience of preparing commercial proposals and tenders for both small local projects and large-scale multidisciplinary projects.
• the necessary skills and/or aptitude to track and manage project finances.
• to preferably be educated to at least degree level in an appropriate subject, but if that’s not you and you think you’re the right person, we still want to hear from you.
• a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of health & safety associated with fieldwork, preferably backed up with qualifications and accreditations; and
• knowledge of project management systems, or at least a fundamental understanding of the principles of project management.
• Good communication skills with all relevant stakeholders.

We expect you:

• to be visible, accountable and trustworthy.
• to be optimistic and a positive influence, inspiring creativeness, and innovation in others.
• to provide for the mentoring, coaching, and training of your team.
• to provide constant encouragement, recognition, and reward to your teams; and
• to be assured and confident in your work and personal interactions.

You must have an enthusiasm for influencing the development of our industry and be able to focus on the needs and concerns of our clients to ensure consistent customer satisfaction by providing high quality, commercial and most importantly professional advice. As part of your role you will promote the positive culture of the business and work collegiately across all the departments and regional offices.

A full UK Driving Licence is essential. Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (MCIfA) and another appropriate professional body is highly desirable, but if you don’t have this, we will support you to get it.

What we offer

In addition to our highly competitive salaries, we are also able to offer a host of additional benefits to working for Wessex, not least including:

• Competitive salary range in line with CIfA salary guidelines (appointments will be made on the basis of demonstrated ability, previous experience and CIfA membership as appropriate).
• CIfA subscription fees reimbursed.
• A Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential external advice on health and wellbeing;
• 22 days p.a. holiday entitlement (plus bank holidays)
• Paid sick leave from start of contract;
• Immediate eligibility for inclusion in the group salary sacrifice pension plan with an employer contribution of 5%;
• Individual training and development, mentoring, annual appraisal, personal development plans and career progression maps;
• Life assurance scheme;
• Bike2Work scheme;
• Potential for hybrid working, with agreed time shared between the office and home with IT support;
• Relocation allowance

What you must do

If you think you’re the right person for us, please submit a completed application form, which is available from the vacancies page on our website https://www.wessexarch.co.uk/vacancies, together with a copy of your CV and any other information that will support your application. These must be returned by email to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk by close of business on 10^th June 2022.

Potential applicants are welcome to contact Richard O’Neil, Regional Fieldwork Manager North (03303 133502 or r.oneill@wessexarch.co.uk  with any queries or an informal discussion regarding the role.

Whilst Wessex Archaeology welcomes applications from all sections of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, it is essential that the successful candidate must by the start of their employment have permission to work in the UK. Proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK will be required prior to commencement of employment.