This role has a starting salary of £53,713 per annum based on a 36 hour working week. The office base for this Principal Historic Building Officer position is Woking. We support hybrid working and require attendance at the office at least 2 days per week.
Our Offer to You
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
A generous local government salary‑related pension
Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Learning and development hub with a wealth of resources
Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
About The Role
Surrey County Council seeks a Principal Historic Buildings Officer to manage, promote and enhance its Historic Buildings service. Based within the Council’s Historic Environment Planning Team at Woking, this role offers a qualified heritage specialist the opportunity to develop, grow and apply expertise in assessment, understanding and management of historic buildings and conservation areas within the planning process while leading a small team of dedicated building specialists.
Surrey County Council is a County Planning Authority responsible for planning applications for minerals, waste development and its own development proposals. The Historic Environment Planning Team provides advice, guidance and heritage‑related planning advice to organisations and the general public.
The successful candidate will be an experienced conservation and buildings specialist with a strong track record in delivering timely, efficient and pragmatic planning‑related services. They should be familiar with the architecture and architectural history of Surrey and the UK, and possess thorough knowledge of investigation, assessment, conservation and management of historic buildings and conservation areas. A degree in a suitable heritage‑related subject (History, architectural studies, historic building conservation, archaeology) is required, as is extensive experience providing advice, guidance and expertise across a wide range of historic building types, conservation areas and designed landscapes.
We seek applicants who can demonstrate how they would develop this role further, expand service boundaries into new thematic and geographic areas, and exhibit experience in contract management, project development and grant funding. They should navigate stakeholder engagement across all levels.
Qualifications
Educated to degree level in a relevant subject with passion and experience in advising and managing the built historic environment
Full membership of the IHBC
Broad and detailed knowledge of British Architecture, Designed Landscapes, Archaeology and the planning process surrounding heritage management
Excellent IT skills, confident using Microsoft Office and GIS applications
Provision of examples of service development
Additional Requirements
Willingness and ability to travel across the county.
Contact
Please contact Tony Howe, Historic Environment Planning Manager via email at tony.howe@surreycc.gov.uk with any questions regarding the role.
Application Deadline
The job advert closes at 23:59 on 31/05/2026 with interviews planned to follow.
Legal and EEO
We are a disability confident employer. If you have disclosed a disability and meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. This post is a politically restricted post as per the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. We value inclusion and welcome adjustments as needed.
Local Government Reorganisation Note
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation. If you are employed on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms to one of the new organisations.
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