Why join us?
Bringing together leading minds and practitioners in the sector, Wessex Archaeology is a trusted archaeology and heritage service provider and educational charity. From our network of international offices, we work in partnership with our clients to deliver sustainable solutions to manage the historic environment - above ground, below ground and underwater. We are committed to our social impact. This means using the knowledge and connections we make through our commercial activities as a catalyst to engage the communities in which we work.
Join us and you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to shaping a better future for our staff, the sector and the world. As well as having knowledgeable and dedicated colleagues, you’ll have an opportunity to access a variety of fascinating and high-profile projects and develop your skills and knowledge along the way.
The role – what’s involved?
This is a senior delivery leadership role with a focus on building a coherent, accountable services that meets client needs and supports the wider goals of Wessex Archaeology. This role site within our Commercial Services Directorate, which brings together our main deployed services into one coordinated structure. As Head you’ll be leading our Terrestrial Geophysics offer making sure it’s safe, joined up and commercially effective.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to play a key role in shaping the future of Terrestrial Geophysics at Wessex Archaeology. You will be responsible for strengthening and expanding the value of geophysical survey within our business, ensuring the geophysics team has the skills, confidence, and leadership to deliver high-quality work across a growing and diverse portfolio.
As Head of Terrestrial Geophysics, you will have the chance to be involved in some of the most interesting, large-scale infrastructure projects happening across the UK today, motivating and inspiring your team to do their best work. You will be responsible for line-managing an effective team and ensuring that they can deliver at scale, whilst supporting their development in line with company policies. You will be proactive and ensure that the geophysical service we provide continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of clients and projects. At the same time, you will maintain a strong focus on safety, sustainability, risk management, financial accountability, and service quality.
Using your technical knowledge and enthusiasm for geophysical survey you will promote the benefits of high-quality survey and deliverables to both existing and new clients. You will lead with a clear remit to make decisions and take ownership of how the service runs. You will have the backing to make improvements where needed, especially where they support our strategic goals and strengthen our long-term resilience.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Lead the Terrestrial Geophysics team
Make sure the service has a clear focus and is positioned in the right way for the business. - Establish expectations for planning, delivery and oversight.
Ensure that terrestrial geophysics projects are managed in a structured and consistent way, with clear processes for quality, accountability and risk. - Oversee the delivery of terrestrial geophysics projects.
Take responsibility for service performance, including safety, technical standards, client outcomes and commercial viability. - Maintain financial oversight of the terrestrial geophysics' portfolio.
Support financial control, reporting and planning, including forecasting and early identification of issues.
Essential skills
- Commercial and financial management skills, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and financial oversight of projects. Able to make informed decisions that balance quality, risk, and profitability.
- Business development skills, including contributing to tenders, and understanding how to meet client needs and spot new opportunities.
- Understanding of the terrestrial geophysical sector, and how geophysics fit within the planning and regulatory environment in the UK and/or internationally.
- Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to bring people together, build trust, and create an inclusive positive, delivery-focused working environment.
- Experience of line management, including supporting staff development, conducting performance reviews, and ensuring team accountability.
- Clear and confident communication skills, with the ability to engage with a broad range of people — from team members and senior leaders to clients and external partners.
- Track record of leading change, improving systems and processes, and embedding a consistent approach to service delivery.
- Project management experience, including setting up and running projects, managing quality and timelines, and working within formal systems such as a Quality Management System (QMS).
- Awareness of health, safety and wellbeing responsibilities in a leadership role, with a proactive approach to creating a safe and supportive working environment.
- Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment, including internationally, and coordinating input from a range of disciplines
What can you look forward to?
Our focus is on creating a collaborative culture where people can thrive, develop and where safety and wellbeing come first. From anonymising candidate data in our recruitment process to continuous improvements in our benefits, we’re committed to creating a safe, fair and inclusive working environment.
We offer:
- 27 days of annual leave per year plus bank holidays
- Option to buy up to 5 days holiday per year.
- Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme, Wessex Archaeology employer pension contribution 5%.
- Life assurance scheme of three times your basic salary.
Wellbeing and family-friendly benefits
- Our maternity, adoption and shared parental pay is 100% for 12 weeks, 90% for 21 weeks and 6 weeks statutory, day 1 eligibility.
- Enhanced paternity leave, up to 4 weeks from day 1.
- 5 days of carers leave.
- Paid sick leave from the start of a contract, with the number of days dependent on length of service.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements where applicable.
- Company Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - free and confidential service in the form of counselling and assistance in areas such as health and stress.
- AIG SmartHealth – round-the-clock support for you and your family.
Sustainability and other benefits
- Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Bike2Work scheme.
- 100% Professional membership costs reimbursed.
- High-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) provided.
- Free transport from regional offices to sites.
- Time in lieu or paid time for drivers.
- Subsistence allowance.
How to apply
Interested in working with us? For all the details about how to apply visit Vacancies | Wessex Archaeology
Email your completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form by 5:00 pm on 30 November 2025 to wa.applications@wessexarch.co.uk All applications will be acknowledged within 2 weeks of the closing date. Interviews will be held in December 2025. If you have questions about the role, then please contact Patricia Edwards (p.edwards@wessexarch.co.uk)
We welcome applications from people with disabilities and aim to be supportive in our recruitment and employment practices. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements or adjustments in the application or interview process.
Successful candidates must have proof of identity and eligibility to work in the UK by the start of their employment.