Principal Conservation Officer

Principal Conservation Officer
Salary: £64,690per annum
Grade: 10
Directorate: Planning and Delivery and Place Shaping
Location:  19 Wells St, London, W1T 3PQ
Contract type: Permanent, Full Time
Application closing date: Thu, 30/04/2026 – 23:59
Interview date: Week commencing 11th May 2026

Organisation overview

You will be joining an organisation whose work is helping to shape the future of one of London’s most iconic places. The Oxford Street Development Corporation has been established to lead the long-term regeneration and transformation of Oxford Street and its surrounding area to deliver a world-class public realm and safer, cleaner streets, and to supporting high-quality development, culture and economic activity that keeps the area thriving. Our OSDC Board is setting out the strategic direction of the organisation and brings diverse insight and cross-sector expertise including retail, property, leisure, fashion, music, theatre, media, law and politics. Your will be joining a rapidly growing organisation fully dedicated to restoring Oxford Street to its former glory and to shape its exciting next chapter.

About the role

The Oxford Street Development Corporation is establishing a new planning service for one of Central London’s most significant and high-profile locations.

As Principal Conservation Officer, you will play a leading role in shaping heritage and conservation outcomes across the OSDC area, which contains a significant number of designated and non-designated heritage assets.

You will provide specialist conservation and heritage advice across the planning service, leading on listed building and wider heritage matters, advising on pre application proposals, planning applications and enforcement issues, and helping to ensure that change is managed positively and sensitively. The role is integral to the effective delivery of the planning function and to supporting the Mayor’s ambitions for the Oxford Street area.

Working as part of the development management team, you will support the Head of Planning Delivery and Place Shaping and contribute to wider policy development, including preparation of the OSDC Local Plan.

What your day will look like

• Lead on heritage and conservation matters across OSDC’s planning service.
• Manage a caseload of heritage related applications and prepare reports and recommendations.
• Advise on pre application enquiries, planning applications and enforcement matters affecting heritage assets.
• Assess proposals for their impact on significance, setting and townscape, and advise on policy compliance and opportunities for enhancement.
• Build effective working relationships with applicants, agents, Historic England, local authorities, amenity societies, community groups and other stakeholders.
• Provide heritage advice and briefings to members, officers and senior management, including attendance at Planning Committee where required.
• Contribute to the preparation of the OSDC Local Plan and wider service improvement.

Skills , knowledge and experience

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Degree level qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Membership of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, or equivalent relevant education, skills and experience.
• Experience of managing a caseload of heritage related planning applications, including listed building applications and associated consents.
• Strong understanding of heritage legislation, planning policy, architectural history and statutory development management processes.
• Good understanding of the working environment of a local planning authority.
• Strong communication, analytical and negotiation skills, with the ability to balance heritage considerations with wider planning and regeneration objectives.

Behavioural Competencies

Communicating and Influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication.
Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well-thought-through arguments.
Negotiates effectively to deliver OSDC priorities.
Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement.
Advocates positively for the OSDC both within and outside the organisation.

Building and Managing Relationships

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people; and sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance

Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support OSDC objectives
Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities
Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict
Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect
Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership

Decision Making

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available.
Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others.
Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them.
Identifies potential barriers to decision-making and initiates action to move a situation forward.
Demonstrates awareness of the OSDC’s decision-making processes and how to use them.

Planning and Organising

… is thinking ahead; managing time, priorities and risk; and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicator of effective performance

Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.
Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones.
Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.
Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.
Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

How to apply

To apply please visit Vacancy

The full job description can be found here