CAREER PORTAL: WORK WITH US
CAREER PORTAL: WORK WITH US
Head of GB Farm Networks - fixed term contract
We are currently recruiting for a Head of GB Farms Network to work nationally across Great Britain and lead a small team. This role is offered on a fixed-term contract until December 2027 and requires flexibility to travel, as well as a valid UK driving licence.
This role is funded by the UK Dairy Carbon Network (UK-DCN) and will support with the development and delivery of the project, which will test multiple carbon-saving measures on commercial British dairy farms. The role holder will support the delivery of effective linkages with other members of the consortium and the wider supply chain, as well as AHDB teams, to ensure the successful delivery of the project and value for levy payers.
We are looking for applicants with extensive experience in the dairy industry and programme management within a project environment. Building strong and effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders will be key to the success of this role. Strong leadership skills are also crucial to manage a field-based team, and the role holder will be required to execute a comprehensive industry engagement plan to achieve successful delivery.
Established in 2008, AHDB is the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British farmers, growers and processors in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers and processors, often where no one else can or will.
Department
Dairy Engagement
Work Base
Field-based
Location
National
Salary Range
£65,000-£70,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus car allowance
Vacancy Type
Fixed term
Total Hours (per week)
35
Closing Date
06/04/2026
Responsibilities
- Lead the national programme of activities within the UK-DCN project, ensuring activity meets the defined project aims, objectives and timeline
- Deliver UK-DCN activity within budget and provide accurate and appropriate reporting information to the senior leadership team, project lead partner and funders
- Act as the lead person for the consortium in designated work areas within the UK-DCN, confidently managing, leading and developing all tasks that fit within that contractual remit
- Ensure key operational, business plan and project targets are achieved within the project
- Develop and maintain a strong profile and connection with consortium members, providing industry representation
- Recruit and manage the farm network, ensuring regular liaison with their processors and retailers where required
- Support the development of the AHDB UK-DCN team to develop a comprehensive engagement plan to project participants
- Collaborate with AHDB’s Environment and Dairy Engagement teams to ensure key themes and outcomes of the project are communicated and built into wider strategy plans
- Take the lead on bringing together and managing the Farm Network Groups
- Ensure effective engagement with levy payers and stakeholders
- Deliver proactive feedback mechanisms of levy-payer-facing activity which feed into project evaluation, AHDB priorities and strategy
- Responsible for stakeholder/supply chain engagement on technical issues relevant to the project at a national level
Essential Criteria
- Extensive technical experience of the dairy industry and its stakeholder organisations, and hold a relevant degree or qualification in agriculture or related discipline
- Experience in large-scale programme management with multiple interlinking stakeholders and priorities
- Experienced manager with proven track record of building a strong motivated team to deliver objectives
- Proven track record and extensive experience of delivering effective knowledge exchange activity, including presenting at senior level to industry
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, to include government agencies and academic organisations
- Extensive experience of managing significant budgets to high levels of governance
- A valid full UK driving licence, with the flexibility to travel to meetings across the UK as and when required
The benefits…
We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:
- 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday
- 33 days of annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Life assurance cover (4x salary)
- A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
- Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
- A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
- Recognition awards throughout the year
- Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings
Apply now, or call 024 7693 5722 if you require any further information.
Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.
At AHDB, we are committed to developing, maintaining and supporting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, to include flexible working opportunities. This applies to both our workforce and the practices we follow.
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