Planning Specialist - Heritage

TfL's Town Planning & Heritage team is responsible for shaping the future of London's transport network while safeguarding its rich historic environment. The team provides specialist heritage advice across a wide array of projects, including listed stations, historic bridges, and major transport enhancements.

As a Heritage Advisor, you will work closely with the Heritage Manager to ensure TfL uphms its heritage responsibilities. Your role will involve providing advice on asset management, infrastructure projects, and development proposals. You will collaborate with both internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring heritage considerations are integrated from the initial stages of projects and facilitating practical solutions within a complex operational framework.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with experience in heritage, town planning, or conservation seeking to expand their expertise while contributing to significant historic and transport assets in London. Applications are also welcomed from candidates with transferable skills and a strong interest in heritage.

Key Accountabilities

Depending on your qualifications and experience, you will work independently with support from the Heritage Manager. Your duties will include:

• Providing advice to colleagues in line with legislation, national and local policy, and conservation best practices.
• Influencing the design of proposals that affect heritage assets or their settings to mitigate harmful impacts and ensure the success of listed building consent and planning applications.
• Preparing and submitting listed building consent applications for heritage assets, including drafting Heritage Statements. This involves identifying national and Local Planning Authority specific validation requirements and liaising with internal clients to ensure documentation is fit for purpose.
• Updating and expanding TfL’s heritage registers by contributing to an ongoing programme of research into TfL assets to create a comprehensive and informative record of their significance.
• Proactively working with internal and external stakeholders, including TfL’s project teams, Local Planning Authorities, and grant-giving bodies such as the Railway Heritage Trust and Heritage of London Trust.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Skills

• Competence in identifying the architectural and historical significance of diverse heritage assets and the wider historic environment, or a genuine interest in developing these skills. [Essential]
• Sound judgment to determine when the advice and input of the Heritage Manager and other colleagues are required to ensure advice provided is technically accurate and to avoid TfL breaching heritage legislation. [Essential]
• Good research skills demonstrating a thorough and methodical approach using various sources (e.g., mapping, photography, archives, written records). [Essential]
• Ability to manage a busy and varied caseload to deliver outcomes within expected timeframes. [Essential]
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce high-quality reports, presentations, and other materials, conveying complex issues. [Essential]
• Ability to collaborate constructively with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders across the organization and beyond. [Essential]
• Good verbal communication and negotiation skills, along with the ability to establish effective working relationships. [Essential]

Knowledge

• Degree in Built Heritage Conservation, or a degree in Architecture / Urban Design / Town Planning with experience in built heritage conservation.
• Membership (or working towards membership) of a relevant professional body (e.g., IHBC, RIBA, RTPI).
• Good understanding of legislation, planning policy, and best practice guidance relevant to heritage assets.
• Good understanding of the roles of central and local government and heritage organizations concerning the management of heritage assets.
• Awareness of and interest in the history of London’s transport system and its contribution to the city.

Experience

• Providing expert advice and guidance, and negotiating improvements to proposals. [Essential]
• Experience of town planning practice within a heritage and design context.
• Experience of preparing and/or reviewing technical reports for a diverse readership. [Essential]
• Experience of developing relationships with internal and external stakeholders and adapting your approach accordingly. [Essential]

Application Process

• Please apply using your CV and a one-page covering letter.
• Carefully consider the skills, knowledge, and experience detailed in the advertisement and address these in your CV and cover letter.
• Please specify if you can only work part-time or require flexible working arrangements, providing details of your requirements.
• PDF format is preferred; please do not include photographs or images.

Interviews and assessments may be organized at short notice, and we will provide as much notice as possible.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to reflect the diverse communities we serve. A diverse workforce enhances our ability to deliver better services and outcomes. Our recruitment process is designed to be as inclusive as possible. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled individuals. Through the Disability Confident scheme, we aim to offer an assessment or interview to candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for skills, knowledge, and experience. In certain situations, it may not be practical to offer an interview or assessment to every candidate who applies through the scheme and meets the minimum criteria; in these instances, we will select candidates who best meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Selection methods for all recruitment activities will vary depending on the nature and scale of the campaign and will be applied fairly, consistently, and proportionately in line with our Disability Confident commitments.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will receive excellent benefits and opportunities for growth. Benefits typically include:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel on the TfL network
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow.
• Discounted private healthcare scheme
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel

Vetting Process

At Transport for London, safety, trust, and fairness are central to our recruitment practices. Our Vetting Charter (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/our-vetting-process) outlines the checks conducted before joining, ensuring we create a safe, inclusive, and reliable network. We request that the information you provide is honest and accurate to facilitate a smooth application process. Any discrepancies or unverifiable information may affect your application, but we will maintain transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.