Cotswold Archaeology is seeking a talented and experienced Principal Fieldwork Manager to join its Milton Keynes regional office. This is an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated and enthusiastic individual to lead the Milton Keynes fieldwork team in delivering a diverse portfolio of fieldwork projects, while working for one of the country’s largest and most respected archaeological companies.
About the role
You will lead the management and delivery of a portfolio of commercial archaeological projects, with overall responsibility for project budgets, resources and logistics. You will also be responsible for quality assurance of archaeological archives and reports. The role combines office-based work with site visits. Your responsibilities will include:
- Manage the overall performance of the Milton Keynes office fieldwork team, including project oversight and staff management;
- Manage the office fieldwork programme, ensuring the continued effective and efficient deployment of resources;
- Manage the delivery and supervision of archaeological projects, ensuring that project set-up, logistics and start-up documentation, including risk assessments, method statements and written schemes of investigation are completed;
- Oversee archaeological fieldwork;
- Ensure that analysis meets the highest standards and oversee quality assurance of client reports;
- Prepare and review fieldwork tenders for the office’s region and contribute to the delivery of major tenders across all regions.
The successful candidate will hold CIfA membership at MCIfA level or be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements and will join if appointed. A full manual driving licence is essential, as travel between sites will be required. The role will also involve visits to project and client locations requiring overnight stays.
About you
You will have a degree or postgraduate degree in archaeology or a related subject, or equivalent demonstrable experience in the role. You will bring excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills, together with the ability to manage a demanding work schedule, lead a management team, prioritise project work and meet targets without compromising quality.
Location
You will be based at our Milton Keynes regional office and work on sites across the UK. Our benefits include a competitive salary, a generous annual leave allowance, company sick pay, pension and life assurance schemes, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
FIND OUT MORE
If you are interested and want to find out more, for an informal discussion contact Richard Young: richard.young@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Closing date: 10 am, Monday 9th November 2026. Interviews to be held on 20th November 2026.
Cotswold Archaeology is an equal opportunities employer. All applications are assessed solely on the candidate’s relevant skills and experience relevant to the role.
We will take into consideration any reasonable adjustments required to support you. Should you need adjustments during the recruitment process, or require additional support related to neurodiversity or for any other reason, please let us know by contacting careers@cotswoldarchaeology.co.uk
Applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in the UK as defined by UK Visas and Immigration
Job Description
Purpose of the Role:
To lead the fieldwork team in their respective office and to deliver to and maintain CA’s high professional reputation. To ensure the safe and successful completion of all fieldwork projects delivered from their office. Responsible for maintaining a financially and operationally viable programme of fieldwork, ensuring that operational delivery is efficient and cost effective.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Report to the Head of Fieldwork on the performance of their office fieldwork team and the quality of its outputs, reporting on trends and escalating issues as required.
- Manage the overall performance of their office fieldwork team, including the conduct of projects and management of staff.
- Manage their office fieldwork programme, ensuring effective and efficient deployment, liaising with colleagues and the Head of Fieldwork as appropriate
- Assure the quality of archaeological fieldwork, records, archives and reports in their office, in line with CA and industry standards, guidance and procedures.
- Prepare and review fieldwork tenders for their office region and contribute to the delivery of major tenders across all regions.
- Oversee a portfolio of fieldwork projects, managing individual projects as appropriate. Manage project resources effectively, ensuring project costs do not exceed budget, and the client receives value for money.
- Contribute to the delivery of major projects, including those delivered in conjunction with Joint Venture partners and/or other contractors. Maintaining positive relationships with key clients and JV partners.
- Oversee and manage all health and safety aspects of personally assigned projects and those within their office region, as well as contributing to company policy and procedures.
- Line manage, coach and mentor selected departmental staff as determined by the Head of Fieldwork.
- Help formulate, initiate, and conduct, staff training programmes and materials.
- To ensure that all CA fieldwork projects in their office adhere to legal and professional requirements.
- Manage personal workload effectively, ensuring all financial and project administration is accurate and timely.
- Proactively develop new business opportunities, to secure and maintain a healthy and financially viable programme of work
- Participate in working parties and organisation task forces to implement departmental and companywide projects and intiatives
- Ensure that their fieldwork team embraces and epitomise our corporate culture, standards, and approach, promoting a cohesive and integrated approach to business throughout their office.
- Represent CA at appropriate meetings, both with clients and at professional sectorial events.
- Prepare or arrange the preparation of displays, promotions and publications relevant to projects undertaken or planned.
- To undertake other duties as deemed appropriate to the role.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Proven extensive experience of managing a broad range of commercial archaeological fieldwork projects from inception to completion safely, and to tight deadlines.
- A commitment to quality, and an understanding of the issues and practices required to ensure this.
- A comprehensive knowledge of all periods of British archaeology,archaeological resource management, and a good understanding of law and guidance relating to British archaeology.
- A sound knowledge of current Health and Safety legislation, and best practice in a commercial archaeological environment.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and people management skills, and proven ability to build/manage relationships. Including the ability to deal efficiently, diplomatically, and courteously with sponsors and clients of CA, officers of other bodies, and members of the public.
- Established pricing, tendering and contract negotiation skills.
- Excellent organisational, administrative, problem solving, decision-making and financial management skills, combined with the ability to effectively work on numerous projects simultaneously.
- Proven experience of line management and the preparation of individual development plans, and of working across a multi-office environment.
- Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists at MCIfA grade.
- Full manual UK driving licence and a willingness and ability to travel extensively, including overnight stays, when required.
- Proficient ICT skills and familiarity with IT systems and applications including MS Word, Excel, and Access.
Desirable:
- Demonstrable commitment to developing personal skills and those of other staff, with experience of providing coaching and training;
- Experienced at post-excavation assessment and archaeological publicatio
- Demonstrable experience of managing large and complex multi-site mitigation schemes, particularly infrastructure projects
- Experience of standard form contracts.
- SMSTS safely accreditation.
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