Head of Food and Farming

Job Title: Head of Food and Farming

Salary: c.£75-90K plus benefits package

Location: Hybrid with min 1 day/week in NFU’s Midlands Hub (Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire)

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Permanent

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is the UK’s largest farming organisation. Every day, we're the voice of around 46,000 professional farmers and growers in England and Wales. Our members produce 60% of the nation’s food and manage 75% of the UK’s food. The NFU’s role is to make sure government and the food chain hear and act on farmers’ concerns. We're proud to make a difference for all our members, by shaping attitudes towards British farming and leading the charge on a range of major issues. We have a high profile in both the media and Westminster, and we work with and support local members through a network of regional and county offices across England and Wales.

Purpose of the role & how you will contribute:

This is a great opportunity for an accomplished and collaborative leader with a desire to make lasting change for UK food and farming policy.

This is a high profile, diverse and influential policy role that takes the lead in ensuring the NFU’s Food and Farming Department delivers effective representation on relevant policy and food supply chain issues. With NFU members’ needs at the forefront, you will direct and manage the work of the Food and Farming Department, applying sound knowledge of the food supply chain and its relationship to UK agriculture, to ensure timely advice to NFU Officeholders, Boards, staff and members.

You will be the gatekeeper linking the NFU’s policy experts with NFU members, and those in positions to influence policy and practice, both within the food supply chain and on a national political stage.

With imagination to anticipate, and the proven ability to deliver change, you will direct and manage projects and activities that contribute to NFU’s policy priorities.

You will lead a large team and influence and guide NFU staff through inspirational, practical, and relevant leadership and management.

What you’ll bring:

Ideally you will have first-hand knowledge of food supply chain, be a proven leader who enjoys bringing teams together to work in united ways and be an effective advocate who draws out critical change from complex issues.

You will enjoy the challenge of leading multi-disciplinary teams and want to be involved in highly topical politically charged issues that will impact the nation’s food supply and resilience.

With first-hand experience of leading policy development, you will be adept at marshalling arguments to best effect and coordinating policy advocacy.

Why choose us?

Join us and you’ll find an organisation that encourages and enables you to achieve your full potential. In return you will be rewarded with a full range of benefits including:

• 
  Company car or car allowance
• Generous holiday allowance (30 days a year pro rata + Bank Holidays), plus 1 annual company day
• Option to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave
• Company funded health Cashplan
• Health insurance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave
• Performance-related pay
• Competitive Pension and Life assurance
• Access to interest-free loans for cars, bikes, season tickets and driving lessons
• Employee Assistance program to help you deal with life’s challenges
• Discounts on new vehicles, holiday rentals, wellbeing and lifestyle and many more
• Attractive, modern office, with on-site restaurant and free parking

Join us

We’re committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce. We’ll support you by providing you with extensive learning and development opportunities and the opportunity build a career that balances your professional ambitions with your personal commitments, including discussions around agile and flexible work options.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If we decide we've found the right person for the role, we reserve the right to withdraw this advert and close applications before the closing date.