Vacancy title
Head of Monument Conservation
Closing date
15/05/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Permanent
Salary range
Grade 7: £61,098 to £73,057
Allowances
Essential Car Users Allowance
Location
Pan Wales. Cadw offices in South‑East Wales (Cathays Park, Cardiff), Merthyr Tydfil and North Wales (Llandudno Junction). Travel across Wales required; full driving licence necessary.
Purpose of post
This role is responsible for ensuring Cadw’s 132 historic monuments across Wales, in state care, are in good condition, accessible and safe for visitors. The role will also maintain knowledge of monument condition, prioritize maintenance, conduct inspections, develop an in‑house direct labour team, and manage budgets and procurement.
Key tasks
* Lead and inspire a team of ~30 craft skilled masons and joiners, ensuring clear priorities and robust training plans.
* Develop a robust system to monitor condition of all monuments and plan a three‑year rolling programme with the required budget.
* Ensure briefs or invitations to tender for condition reporting or digital surveys are clear and benchmarked to current industry standards.
* Review and improve Cadw’s SafetyCulture inspection system to provide best value.
* Lead on climate mitigation and adaptation for Cadw’s monuments in care.
* Manage the team’s annual spend within the set budget.
* Collaborate with the Head of Conservation Projects, Head of Health and Safety, and other team leads to align project planning and safety priorities.
* Deploy Conservation Design and Project Manager and Historic Monuments Ground Manager effectively.
* Recruit and retain staff, ensuring vacancies are minimised and personnel issues are managed efficiently.
* Procure external consultants or contractors for maintenance and remedial conservation projects, ensuring best value and quality.
* Develop and maintain an attractive trainee programme for masons and joiners.
* Maintain working relationships with comparable posts in other UK heritage organisations to learn best practice.
Development opportunities
* Welsh Government training courses and opportunities.
* Training support for courses related to the post.
Required qualification
Degree level education or postgraduate qualification in historic building conservation related discipline. Full membership or eligible for membership of the Architects Registration Board (ARB), CIOB, RICS or IHBC.
CV
Focus on background working on significant historic buildings, professional qualifications in historic building conservation, and membership in relevant professional organisations.
Interview requirement
Presentation on Experience 1 required at interview stage.
Nationality and eligibility
Open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth countries with right to work, EU/Switzerland/Norway/Iceland/Liechtenstein nationals and respective family members, Turkish nationals and certain family members, and individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible for EUSS before 31 Dec 2020.
Benefits
* Civil Service Pension Scheme
* 31 days annual leave (pro‑rated for part‑time)
* Training and development opportunities
* Cycle 2 Work scheme
* Smart Working flexible arrangement
* Green Car scheme (subject to availability)
Contact
Email: cadw.hr@gov.wales
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