Principal Heritage Specialist

About the role

AECOM's environmental practice is looking for an experienced Principal Heritage Consultant to lead the establishment and growth of its Heritage Practice in Melbourne. Based in Melbourne, you will lead heritage projects across Victoria while remaining part of the national Heritage team, collaborating with heritage specialists across Australia. The role supports major infrastructure, energy, Defence, transport, property and environmental projects.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and deliver Aboriginal and historical heritage projects in Victoria, including technical oversight and client engagement
• Collaborate with the national Heritage team and support major projects across Australia
• Build relationships with clients, Traditional Owners, regulators, government agencies and industry stakeholders
• Provide technical leadership for heritage assessments, management plans, due diligence studies and heritage approvals
• Drive business development, including proposals, client engagement, market positioning and strategic planning
• Prepare desktop assessments and complete safe field surveys to locate, record and assess heritage places and objects
• Deliver technical reports and support practical, respectful heritage outcomes with communities and project teams

Required profile

• Demonstrated experience delivering cultural heritage assessments in Aboriginal and/or historical heritage, with knowledge of State and Commonwealth heritage legislation and approval pathways
• Strong heritage report writing, attention to detail and ability to build relationships with Traditional Owners, regulators and project teams
• Business development and client management skills, with experience growing project pipelines
• Honours degree in cultural heritage management, archaeology, anthropology or a related discipline
• Registered Heritage Advisor (Victoria) is desirable
• Current manual C-Class Australian driver's licence, willingness to travel for field work, and Australian citizenship to meet Defence project requirements

What we offer

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, job sharing and hybrid work
• Up to 6 extra weeks of annual leave per year and the option to swap public holidays
• Professional development, study leave and global career opportunities