Senior Programme Lead (Education and Market Development)

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for an accomplished Senior Programme Lead (Education and Market Development) to join our award-winning team, to work on a hybrid basis, with two to three days per week from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely, Monday to Friday. The flexibility to travel offsite is also essential, along with a full UK driving licence.

This is a unique opportunity to shape and deliver high-impact programmes that connect education with food and farming, helping to inspire future generations while also driving meaningful engagement through other strategic partnerships. In education, you'll oversee partnerships and initiatives that bring food and farming to life for primary and secondary school audiences. In market development, you'll lead the delivery of collaborative programmes with retailers, brands and other key partners, creating opportunities to increase awareness, engagement and demand for sector products.

As a senior team member, you’ll play a key role in developing people and leading a high-performing team to achieve ambitious goals. We’re looking for a collaborative, commercially minded leader with strong stakeholder management and programme delivery skills. With proven programme or project leadership experience, you’ll drive innovation, continuous improvement and high standards across your portfolio of work.

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 operational delivery of AHDB’s education programmes (primary and secondary school) and, as required, wider market development projects in line with agreed strategies, plans and KPIs
• Translate strategic objectives into clear delivery plans and ensure consistent execution across programmes
• Manage programme performance against KPIs, proactively addressing risks and issues
• Oversee budgets and ensure effective use of resources, demonstrating value for levy payers
• Line manage and develop team members, providing direction, support and performance oversight
• Build and manage relationships with internal stakeholders, strategic partners and external agencies
• Ensure effective governance, reporting and evaluation, capturing insight to improve future delivery
• Contribute to wider business planning and support cross-team collaboration

Person specification

• Proven experience leading complex programmes or projects from planning through to delivery, ideally in the education sector. An understanding of food or farming sectors is desirable, although not essential
• Previous experience in marketing and/or communications is ideal, supported by relevant qualifications
• Strong stakeholder management and partnership working skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels
• Experience managing budgets and ensuring value for money
• Ability to translate strategic objectives into practical plans and deliver against KPIs
• Experience of leading or managing teams, with a collaborative and supportive style
• Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills

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, 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 – giving you access to a wide range of discounts and savings

Apply now, or email recruitment@org.uk 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.

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.

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