Historic Buildings Advisor / Senior Historic Buildings Advisor

With over sixty years’ experience in the repair and renewal of listed buildings, Donald Insall Associates is uniquely placed to provide strategic advice on change and development within the historic environment. The practice has a dedicated Historic Buildings Consultancy to support clients embarking on heritage projects at all scales, from individual houses to urban masterplans. The consultancy team work on some of the country’s most interesting and significant historic sites and buildings.

The team comprises architects, designers, architectural historians and former conservation officers and Historic England inspectors who work alongside a client’s chosen architect to analyse what is special about a building or place, guide alterations, and support clients through the planning process. Our overarching aim is to use our understanding of the past to revitalise historic buildings and, where appropriate, to guide new interventions.

Job Purpose:

We are looking for an experienced Advisor to join our Historic Buildings Consultancy team in London. This is an 18 month maternity cover post, with potential for a contract extension. You would be required to write reports, completing associated research work where necessary, and to provide expert historic buildings advice to client teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• To work successfully as part of the wider historic buildings consultancy team.
• To undertake research into the provenance and development of historic sites and buildings, their occupants, and their architects or to work with the team’s Researchers to collate this information.
• To write expert historic building reports, including the historical background of the site, description of the site and building, an assessment of its significance and an analysis and justification of the proposals for change.
• To provide expert historic buildings advice to client teams as necessary.
• 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 a number of external sites, which may require climbing ladders and surfaces.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:

• At least 3 years post-qualification heritage advisory experience gained either in the public or private sectors (please note this post is not suitable for recent graduates with no experience).
• 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 this effectively with design and non-design professionals alike.
• Demonstrable experience of taking a creative and constructive approach to historic building conservation.
• 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 and work effectively as part of a team in a client-driven environment.
• A good level of IT literacy.

Desirable:

• Membership of appropriate bodies, e.g. IHBC, ARB, IfA and/or RTPI memberships.

Please email a CV and covering letter to erica.bomphrey@insall-architects.co.uk

Donald Insall Associates is an Equal Opportunities employer.

February 2023.

• Location

  London

• Reports to

  Director / Associate

• Contract

  Full time, including Maternity Leave Cover for 18 Months. With potential to extend contract (Part Time applicants will be considered)
  

• How to apply

  Please email a CV, covering letter and portfolio to Erica Bomphrey at erica.bomphrey@insall-architects.co.uk.