Senior Design and Heritage Officer

Work on projects that define London's most historic streetscapes.

As a Senior Design and Heritage Officer, you'll take the lead on shaping how heritage and sustainability come together in one of the most complex and iconic boroughs in the country.

Working Style:

You'll be working in the Borough and playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you're working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you'll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents' lives.

What you'll be doing:

Our team is expanding, and you'll be working with us on the borough's most ambitious and intricate development proposals - the ones that come with competing priorities, sensitive contexts, and lasting consequences. From complex listed building applications to wider conservation projects, your insight will help steer decisions that shape how our streets, skylines and spaces are protected and adapted.

You'll be contributing to planning decisions that reflect both the richness of our heritage and the realities of modern living. You'll focus on conservation, yes - but this role is all about working collaboratively to find thoughtful, sustainable ways to retrofit historic buildings, enable quality design, and balance heritage with progress.

You'll work closely with architects, developers, residents, and councillors - bringing a balanced, creative and pragmatic approach to every conversation. In this role, you'll get stuck into the detail of some of the most architecturally significant places in the UK. From listed buildings and conservation areas to hidden corners and high-profile landmarks, you'll assess proposals, visit sites, and give expert advice to make sure every change fits its context - and adds to the story of the borough.

You'll write reports, provide advice, and contribute to planning decisions that will have a lasting impact. No two days are the same - and every day, your work will help protect the character that makes Kensington and Chelsea so distinctive.

Part of your role will also help develop a fast-track service for listed building applications - an opportunity to rethink how we deliver excellent service and streamline process in a high-demand area.

Above all, this is a hands-on role where you'll be trusted to apply your expertise with care, confidence, and impact.

For further details, click here to review the Job Description and Person Specification.

What you'll bring:

You'll bring significant experience working with heritage-led planning in a complex urban environment - and the confidence to handle nuanced cases with professionalism and creativity. You know how to balance big-picture thinking with deep technical understanding, and you've worked on high-impact schemes where your voice has helped shape outcomes.

You're confident negotiating sensitive and sometimes competing demands, and you're a clear communicator - equally comfortable advising applicants, leading meetings, or writing detailed, well-reasoned reports. Most importantly, you'll have a strong commitment to sustainable development and a passion for making great places.

Why join us:

At RBKC, we're all in - investing in our people, our communities and our future.

You'll join an experienced and highly respected team that values collaboration, learning and shared problem-solving. This is a chance to work on some of the most prestigious and challenging heritage projects in the country - in a borough where your knowledge and judgement will genuinely shape what's possible.

You'll work in a hybrid way, spending three days a week in the office, with the flexibility and autonomy to manage your time. You'll also be part of a council that's committed to investing in your professional growth - offering space to lead, develop your practice, and influence how we work across the service.

Interview Details:

Interviews will be held week commencing 28th July 2025. There will be a short assessment as part of the selection process, and all necessary details will be provided ahead of the interview if required.

About us:

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. Everything we do is focused on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough.

As a competent and caring Council, we take pride in our work every day, ensuring our services are delivered with care and competence. We listen to our residents, act with integrity and work together to build a borough that is greener, safer and fairer for all.

This is a role for someone who enjoys complexity and takes ownership. Someone who thrives in conversation - and in action. You'll be part of a borough that's known for its history, but unafraid to evolve. And you'll help lead that evolution with clarity, care and integrity.

Ready to join us?

We're all in - are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description. We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.

We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.