Project Officer (Principal/Associate Archaeologist)

LocationNottingham; Birmingham
Work modehybrid
Typefull-time
SeniorityLead
DepartmentMidlands Archaeology & Heritage
Company size1,001–5,000 people
PostedSep 29, 2026 · 2w ago
Verified live1d ago
At a glanceSummarised by Seekless from the posting.
Degree in Archaeology or a related discipline
Significant experience delivering archaeological fieldwork projects within the UK
Proven ability to competently and independently run archaeological sites
Excellent technical report writing skills
Experience in post-excavation assessment, analysis and interpretation
Strong understanding of current archaeological practice, standards and guidance
Experience supervising archaeological teams and managing field staff
Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving abilities
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites as required
Benefits
Health insurance
Pension
Life insurance
Income protection
Travel insurance
Cycle to work
Flexible working
Paid time off
Parental leave
Employee assistance program
Mental health support
Volunteering
About the company
SLR is a global leader in environmental and sustainability solutions, helping clients achieve their sustainability goals through technical excellence and collaborative working. Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Project Officer at Principal or Associate level to join our expanding Midlands Archaeology & Heritage team. Based from either our Birmingham or Nottingham office, with hybrid working arrangements available, you will join a small, friendly and ambitious regional team that forms part of a larger national consultancy. Our Midlands team also incorporates colleagues in Bolton, working regularly on a national scale with our wider UK Archaeology & Heritage teams in Carlisle and Bury St Edmunds. Our growing portfolio includes projects ranging from regional residential and commercial developments through to nationally significant infrastructure, energy and power schemes.
The Role
You will play a leading role in the delivery of archaeological projects, taking responsibility for fieldwork programmes from planning and mobilisation through to reporting and post-excavation analysis. Working alongside Project Managers, technical specialists, planning professionals and environmental consultants, you will ensure archaeological projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest professional standards.
Key Responsibilities
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Leading and supervising archaeological evaluations, excavations, watching briefs and other fieldwork projects.
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Taking responsibility for the day-to-day management and successful delivery of archaeological sites, and the field teams working on them.
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Acting as the lead archaeological representative on site and liaising confidently with clients, contractors, curators and stakeholders.
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Designing and managing archaeological investigations and mitigation strategies.
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Preparing Written Schemes of Investigation (WSIs), methodologies and scopes of work.
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Maintaining high standards of archaeological recording, archive preparation and quality assurance.
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Producing clear, accurate and professional technical reports.
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Delivering post-excavation assessments, analysis and publication-ready reporting.
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Mentoring and supporting junior archaeologists and helping develop team capability.
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Promoting a positive health and safety culture.
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At Associate level, supporting project programming, resourcing, budgeting and commercial performance.
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At Associate level, contributing to tender submissions, fee proposals and business development opportunities.
About You
Nice to have
We would particularly welcome applications from candidates with strong report writing, publication-quality reporting and post-excavation analysis skills.
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Degree in Archaeology or a related discipline.
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Significant experience delivering archaeological fieldwork projects within the UK.
•
Proven ability to competently and independently run archaeological sites.
•
Excellent technical report writing skills.
•
Experience in post-excavation assessment, analysis and interpretation.
•
Strong understanding of current archaeological practice, standards and guidance.
•
Experience supervising archaeological teams and managing field staff.
•
Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving abilities.
•
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
•
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites as required.
Why Join SLR?
At SLR, our One Team culture is at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on being collaborative, supportive and people-focused, creating an environment where individuals can develop professionally while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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Work on a diverse portfolio of archaeological and heritage projects.
Benefits
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Contribute to multi-disciplinary nationally significant infrastructure, energy and power schemes.
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Be part of a growing and ambitious Midlands archaeology team.
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Develop your career through structured progression pathways and regular performance reviews.
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Receive support towards professional accreditation and continuing professional development.
Rewards and Benefits
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Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
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Company pension
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Private medical insurance
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Life, income, and travel insurance
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Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
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Flexible, hybrid and agile working
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25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
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Buy or sell leave options
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Core working hours
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Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
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Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
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Workplace Nursery benefit
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Volunteering and Community Giving
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Employee Assistance Programme
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Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and where different perspectives are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to providing support and reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.
Interested?
If you’re an experienced archaeologist looking for the next step in your career, enjoy running archaeological projects from fieldwork through to reporting, and want to be part of a growing Midlands team delivering exciting projects across the UK, we’d love to hear from you.