Principal Archaeologist

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Talent Acquisition Partner | Environmental & Digital Solutions | Australia & New Zealand

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are looking for a highly experienced archaeologists with a passion for finding heritage-positive solutions. With a strong pipeline of work across Australia, and particularly in Victoria, we are seeking a Principal Archaeologist to join our team in Melbourne/regional Victoria in permanent role.

Our Jacobs Cultural Heritage team comprises heritage specialists Australia-wide with experience in Aboriginal archaeology, historical archaeology, maritime archaeology, underwater archaeology, interpretation, and built heritage and architecture. We work on projects from large-scale multi-disciplinary infrastructure developments to smaller heritage-specific projects. Our key clients include state government road, rail and transport agencies, infrastructure construction contractors, water utilities companies, local government and Commonwealth government departments. We provide heritage advice across many different stages in a project lifecycle – from business case inputs and early design phase considerations, to undertaking assessments for heritage approvals and providing construction phase support. We love that we have the opportunity to find solutions that take heritage values, our clients and key stakeholders into consideration.

The purpose of the Principal Archaeologist role is to provide technical and professional leadership in the field of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The Principal Archaeologist helps lead the heritage team to develop industry-leading technical capabilities as part of an engaged, resilient and adaptable heritage team. You will strive for innovation while maintaining outstanding project delivery, responsible and proactive project and client management, and provide support and encouragement to the technical development of staff.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Leading and contributing to winning opportunities through strong client relationships and proposal writing, providing technical leadership, coaching and mentorship within the Jacobs heritage team and beyond
• Leading and supporting the delivery of a wide range of heritage projects, including working collaboratively with a range of disciplines and staff experience levels
• Provide high level technical and professional leadership, project management experience and business development support to our heritage teams across Australia and New Zealand.
  
  

Here's what you'll need

• Proven experience in leading teams to deliver projects within the heritage sector in Australia
• Consulting experience with a focus on Aboriginal heritage in Victoria
• Expert knowledge of State and Commonwealth heritage legislation and relevant guidelines across multiple states in Australia
• Experience in the delivery of large-scale environmental projects (EES, EIS etc.)
• High level stakeholder and client management skills
• Proven success in chasing and winning new work and clients
• Excellent collaboration skills
• Demonstrated ability to support and manage teams, through mentoring and coaching
• Victorian Registered Heritage Advisor with the appropriate qualifications and experience to lead fieldwork in accordance with the requirements of the new Minister's Guidelines
  
  

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from marginalised or underrepresented backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At Jacobs, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align with every requirement in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Jacobs. A world where you can.

At Jacobs, belonging isn't just valued — It's our foundation for excellence. Our culture of caring powers our competitive edge.

Our meticulously curated employee benefits support ALL employees throughout every stage of life — from paid parental leave to a lifetime financial allowance for you and your partner to access family forming Fertility & IVF treatment, adoption and surrogacy assistance along with menopause and Low T treatment. We are steadfast in our commitment to the wellbeing of you and your loved ones with a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources supporting you physically, emotionally and financially. This is demonstrated in our company being recognised by WGEA for 12 consecutive years as an employer of choice for gender equality along with our industry leading GOLD employer status in the 2025 Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI).

We know that when people feel truly included, connection deepens and innovation soars. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you're pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our eight global Jacobs employee networks centred on driving inclusion and belonging – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Vetnet, and our Women's Network – find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

No matter what drives you, you'll discover a way to cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

Accessibility & Accommodations

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations during the application or interview process (such as alternative formats for application materials, accessible interview locations, interpreting services, or assistive technology) Talk to your recruiter or your request can be logged HERE

Cultural Support

We're an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are invited to nominate a cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application.

Please note If you are being represented by a recruitment agency you will not be considered, to be considered you will need to apply directly to Jacobs.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs here.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of diverse perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Our meticulously curated employee benefits support ALL employees throughout every stage of life. From paid parental leave to a lifetime financial allowance for you and your partner to access family forming Fertility & IVF treatment, adoption and surrogacy assistance along with menopause and Low T treatment.

We are steadfast in our commitment to the wellbeing of you and your loved ones with a comprehensive suite of wellbeing resources supporting you physically, emotionally and financially. This is demonstrated in our company being recognised by WGEA for 12 consecutive years as an employer of choice for gender equality along with our industry leading GOLD employer status by the Australian Workplace Equality Index.

Cultural Support

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. Jacobs aims to provide cultural safety at our interviews. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are invited to nominate a cultural representative to participate on the interview panel; please let your recruiter know in your application. No matter what drives you, you'll discover a way to cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.

Seniority level

• Seniority levelNot Applicable

Employment type

• Employment typeFull-time

Job function

• Job functionResearch, Analyst, and Information Technology
• IndustriesCivil Engineering, Design Services, and IT Services and IT Consulting

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