Operations Manager - Archaeology
Team: Albion Archaeology
Job Family: Enabling (M) - CBG12
Salary: £45,326 - £50,436 per annum pro rata
Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: St Marys Church Archaeology Centre, St Marys Street, Bedford, MK42 0AS
Contract Type: Fixed - Permanent
Closing Date: 2nd June 2026
Interview Date: W/C 22nd June 2026
About the role:
Albion Archaeology are looking for an archaeologist who can demonstrate high level skills in the commercial and academic management of a range of historic environment projects. You should be self-motivated with excellent communication, negotiation, team working and people skills; and interested in working for an ambitious organisation in a challenging environment.
This is an archaeological role requiring a relevant degree or equivalent and substantial experience of relevant archaeological work. Member accreditation with the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists is a requirement for the role. Applicants should have a background within the historic environment sector and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the changing environment in which today’s commercial archaeological practices operate
The Operations Manager is key to our business success, and you will be expected to proactively seek new business opportunities and maintain existing client and professional relationships. Your role will include pricing work and overseeing contracts and you will have responsibility for managing the operational programme and resourcing. As our Operations Manager you would represent and further Albion Archaeology's business goals via liaison and negotiation with a wide range of project and archaeological stakeholders, including commercial/private clients, consultants, planning authorities, national agencies, and contractors. You would work to the highest professional and ethical standards, and we would expect you to have sufficient experience and knowledge to provide high-level professional advice to our clients across a range of different archaeological and heritage projects.
Working directly with the Albion Archaeology Business Manager you will assist with the leadership, promotion and development of Albion and the management of our business to meet financial/commercial targets. You will need a good knowledge of planning legislation as it relates to heritage, construction contracts, QHSE and current professional practice. The Operations Manager line manages the Archaeological Managers and some archaeological support posts.
The role requires you to be able to work calmly in a highly pressurised environment and manage multiple demands. You will have a keen eye for detail and the ability to deliver quality outcomes, whilst understanding the needs of our clients, the importance of good customer service and the need to deliver projects to programme and budget. This means being able to see the "bigger picture" and finding ways of making sure the things that need to get done are done efficiently and effectively whilst working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. You will need to demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to take difficult decisions in a timely fashion. You may be asked to represent Albion at professional and public events and to the media.
The post requires a full driving licence, valid for UK, or ability to travel to sites and meetings across UK, although in most cases this will be within the wider region.
Our Offer
We have a number of rewards and benefits available to our staff, to view these please visit our Rewards and Benefits page
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You will be expected to demonstrate how you meet the key accountabilities and competencies in this Recruitment Pack.
Our Competency Framework and Qualification Guidance are to be read in conjunction with our Recruitment Pack.
For an informal discussion about this position, please contact: Hester Cooper-Reade at Hester.Cooper-Reade@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 6877
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