Are you an experienced and strategic business development expert, ready to drive growth and impact in a values-led organisation?

What heritage can be

For over 65 years, Donald Insall Associates has shaped how the world views heritage. Working with the past to unlock opportunities within the historic environment, we set the standard for what heritage can be. Our practice is owned by our c140 employees and we deliver creative, innovative and technically excellent projects in some of the most significant and spectacular historic sites in the UK and beyond.

Our expertise spans architecture, heritage consultancy, new design in historic settings and townscape advice, and our teams bring together a breadth of skills, enriched through meaningful relationships with clients, custodians, and communities. Together, we ensure the historic environment remains purposeful, relevant, and resilient.

Context

We’re at a pivotal moment in our evolution – this is a rare chance to help shape the future of a purpose-led, employee-owned practice with a proud history and bold ambitions. With a new Chief Executive and a refreshed three-year business plan, we’re entering an exciting phase of growth where we’ll see our company evolve, while staying true to our founding principle: to ‘bring forth the best’ in both our people and our projects.

As our new Head of Business Development, you’ll translate our headline commercial ambitions into reality, leading the development and delivery of our business development strategy.

believe the historic environment is for everyone and are committed to building a more diverse team that reflects the society we serve. We welcome applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and will accommodate any access needs – just let us know when you apply.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll lead all business development activity across the practice, helping us grow our portfolio of complex, high-profile heritage projects. Working closely with the senior team, you’ll identify opportunities, strengthen our bidding success, and increase revenue in our target sectors. You’ll ensure we secure key commissions and continue to build long-term client relationships that enhance our reputation for excellence in conservation and heritage. Alongside this, you’ll set the standard for a consistent, high-quality approach to business development across the whole practice and support our client teams in building the skills and knowledge to approach ‘work-winning’ adeptly and confidently.

What you’ll bring – required:

Senior-level experience in business development and winning work in architecture, the built environment, consultancy, or other professional services. You’ll have a strong grasp of public and private sector procurement, bid management and client engagement and development. Your communication skills – written and verbal – will be first-rate, and you’ll be confident advocating externally for the practice. You’ll be strategic, proactive and collaborative, with a natural ability to engage and influence senior professionals, and a sharp sense of where we can best position ourselves to secure high-value work.

What you’ll bring – ideally:

Experience in heritage, conservation, or other complex project sectors; familiarity with CRM and pipeline tracking tools; the ability to lead strategy across multiple offices or teams; a background in architecture or the built environment.

Why Join Us?

• Play a defining role in shaping the next phase for our employee-owned, highly regarded and people-first B Corp practice
• Collaborate with technically excellent, creative, curious, committed and values-driven colleagues
• Lead purposeful work that will play a significant role in our long-term growth and future success
• Comprehensive benefits including private healthcare, investment in your learning and development, and a cycle to work scheme.

Flexible, based from one of our UK offices/studios

Working pattern

Hybrid; travel as required between offices/studios

Reports to

Chief Executive

Works closely with

Chief Executive, senior team including Studio Leaders, Head of Marketing and Communications

Competitive, dependent on experience

Contract

Full-time, permanent

To apply

Please send your CV and a brief covering note to recruitment@insall-architects.co.uk

Get in touch

We have studios in London, Bath, Birmingham, Chester, Conwy, Manchester, Oxford and York.