Agrifood Futures Director

University of Reading; England; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Reading seeks an Agrifood Futures Director to provide visionary leadership and oversee transformative research in agriculture and food systems. The ideal candidate will have a distinguished research profile and a proven ability to build impactful partnerships across multiple sectors. This is a unique opportunity to influence agrifood innovation at national and international levels.

Qualifications

• Proven record of securing major external funding.
• Ability to shape transformative collaborations across the sector.
• Experience in leading interdisciplinary research teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of the academic vision.
• Build and sustain world-class partnerships.
• Drive interdisciplinary collaboration and research culture.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Relationship-building skills

Intellectual agility

Capacity to influence

Education

Distinguished professorial-level research profile

Job description

Overview

The University of Reading is internationally recognised for excellence in agriculture, food and environmental research. Ranked in the QS global top 20 for Agriculture and Forestry and named Sustainable University of the Year 2025, Reading is now embarking on one of the most ambitious programmes in its history: Agrifood Futures.

Agrifood Futures is a bold research and innovation strategy that will transform the way we produce, consume and think about food as we move towards 2050. At its heart are three interconnected Priority Research Areas, each shaped to deliver long-term, challenge-led programmes of research and innovation:

1. A resilient food system for everyone
2. Farming systems that work with nature and our climate
3. Food that nourishes people and the planet

These Areas will be supported by significant new enabling investments including a state-of-the-art innovation farm, advanced food processing facilities, and a participatory platform for nutrition and consumer behaviour.

Agrifood Futures leadership and structure

To launch this strategy, the University is establishing a world-class leadership team of five senior appointments:

• Agrifood Futures Director— a professorial role providing visionary leadership for the overall strategy, driving the design and delivery of major infrastructure, partnerships and impact.
• Director, Resilient Food Systems— a professorial role leading research that empowers stakeholders to understand, mitigate and adapt to risks and shocks in the global agrifood system, ensuring resilience for the future.
• Director, Sustainable Farming Systems— a professorial role driving transformative research in farming practices that work with nature and climate, delivering sustainable production alongside environmental and biodiversity gains.
• Director, Healthy Sustainable Foods— a professorial role leading the transformation towards diets that are healthy, sustainable, desirable and accessible, supported by cutting-edge food processing and consumer-focused research.
• Head of Strategic Partnerships and Investments— a professional services role forging transformative partnerships across industry, government and global stakeholders, and securing major co-investments to deliver the strategy at scale.

The Agrifood Futures Director role

Th Agrifood Futures Director is a defining opportunity to provide visionary leadership in unlocking the transformational potential of Agrifood Futures. The Director will lead the development and implementation of the academic vision for major infrastructure investments of national and international significance. They will be responsible for building and sustaining world-class partnerships across academia, industry, government and the third sector, while also driving interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivating a thriving research culture that empowers the next generation of agrifood leaders. At the same time, the Director will champion Reading’s global influence in agrifood innovation, impact and policy, ensuring the University’s voice is heard at the highest levels nationally and internationally.

The successful candidate will be an internationally recognised leader with a distinguished professorial-level research profile in agrifood and a proven record of securing major external funding. They will bring authority, foresight and the ability to shape transformative collaborations across the sector, underpinned by outstanding relationship-building skills, intellectual agility, and the capacity to influence at the most senior levels.

How to apply

Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the University of Reading on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference IBVXA. Alternatively email [e-mail]. Applications should be received by noon on Monday 29 September.