Head of Economics

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for a Head of Economics to join as a senior leader in our Economics and Analysis directorate. This role is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape AHDB's economic thinking and influence across the agriculture, food, land and environmental sectors.

In this role, you will work closely with the Chief Economist to lead an experienced team of economists and deliver economic analysis that supports AHDB's strategic objectives. You will ensure our analysis is rigorous, timely and communicated effectively to internal and external stakeholders.

We are looking for a strategic leader with significant economics expertise and a strong understanding of agriculture and the wider agri-food sector. You will be able to turn complex analysis into clear insight, build influential relationships and lead a team whose work supports industry decisions and policy development.

Active stakeholder engagement will require travel across the UK and occasional international travel, along with a full UK driving licence. The role involves working on a hybrid basis from our Coventry headquarters and remotely.

About AHDB

We are the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British producers in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers, growers and processors, often where no one else can or will.

We share the expert, evidence-based research and reports that inform on-farm decision making. We promote British produce to the UK public through domestic marketing campaigns, and we identify and open new global export opportunities to help farm businesses grow.

We help levy payers learn more, sell more and export more to remain sustainable and profitable. Together, we deliver the insights, the influence and the impact that farmers need.

Job description

• Lead the Economics team, setting priorities and delivering high-quality economic analysis that supports AHDB's strategic objectives and levy payer needs
• Maintain a proactive pipeline of industry-leading analysis that informs business decisions and supports policy development across AHDB sectors
• Oversee the delivery of policy analysis, market analysis and cost-of-production outputs, ensuring quality, relevance and impact
• Identify, plan and evaluate economic projects, strengthening how AHDB demonstrates the value generated by its analysis
• Work across AHDB to ensure business planning, projects and strategic decisions are supported by robust economic evidence
• Build strong relationships with government economists, industry stakeholders and external experts to strengthen collaboration
• Champion AHDB's economic analysis externally through industry events, media engagement, conferences and stakeholder forums
• Develop and mentor economists and analysts, contribute to the Economics and Analysis management team and deputise for the Chief Economist when required

Person specification

• Degree-level qualification in economics or another numerate discipline, or equivalent relevant experience
• Significant experience delivering high-quality economic projects and analysis within agriculture, agri-food or a related sector
• Demonstrable experience leading, motivating and developing teams to deliver strategic objectives
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver to time, quality and budget requirements
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience translating complex economic analysis for a range of audiences

Benefits

• 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday, to include hybrid working
• 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

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Telephone : 02476 935722

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk