Job Description
ABOUT THE JOB
We are recruiting a Head of Agronomy Services to lead our independent agronomy business. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with a track record of delivering high-level one-to-one or one-to-group advice to growers and agronomists. You will provide leadership for our agronomy team and for the translation of NIAB's scientific knowledge into practice to support productive, resilient, regenerative farming for our members, customers and stakeholders.
As the Head of Agronomy Services, your key duties include:
- Driving the strategy for and development of NIAB's agronomy services.
- Managing a team of twenty agronomists.
- Delivering an extensive portfolio of on-farm/strategic agronomy consultancy services.
- Interpretation of technical information and its translation into on-farm advice.
- Key external interactions relating to strategic agronomic issues.
- Technical writing of agronomy publications.
The role is physically demanding, walking and working outdoors in all weathers. Effective collaboration with technical teams across NIAB will be important in the development and delivery of outputs.
Salary: from £67,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on experience & qualifications
Contract: Permanent
Working hours: Full-time (37 hours per week, Monday - Friday)
ABOUT YOU
Essential requirements:
- A degree or equivalent in a relevant agricultural or applied biological subject.
- Extensive knowledge of UK agronomy and arable crop production.
- Experience in arable crop agronomy advice in the UK.
- BASIS & FACTS qualifications.
- Excellent track record of staff management and team leadership.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills in both group and one-to-one situations.
- Good presentation skills (to technical audiences).
- Microsoft Office, e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint.
- Driving licence, as travel to farms and regional sites across England that do not have access to public transport is required.
Desirable requirements:
- Knowledge of trial design and interpretation of data using statistics.
- Able to work with others to implement technical and service innovation.
- Managing financial budgets and expenditure.
See the full Job Description on our website for more details.
ABOUT US
Come and join an organisation at the forefront of the application of genetics, physiology, soil science, precision agronomy, and data science to improve the yield, efficiency, and resilience of crop production across the arable, forage, and horticulture sectors.
NIAB actively promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. As a Disability Confident Employer, we have a positive approach to employing people living with a disability.
LOCATION
The role is expected to be home-based but with travel across the country, in particular, high-frequency visits to growers, regional sites, and NIAB's headquarters at Cambridge.
BENEFITS
Benefits include 25 days' holiday plus public holidays and 3 days off during the Christmas period, generous sick pay, an attractive pension scheme, income protection, life assurance, an employee discount scheme, free on-site parking and great colleagues.
TO APPLY
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Nick Watson, Director of Commercial Services, by email: .
Visit our website: for further details and to apply directly. Any questions? Email: or call Human Resources on .
Closing date: 2 February 2024.
Interview date: 14 February 2024.
You can also apply for this role by clicking the Apply Button.
