Beef & Lamb Sector Director

Agriculture And Horticulture Development Board (ahdb; Coventry; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A public body supporting agriculture is seeking a Senior Leader to shape the future of UK livestock. This role involves providing strategic leadership, managing significant budgets, and fostering collaboration across sectors. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the beef and lamb sector, exceptional communication skills, and a proven track record of operational leadership. The position offers a competitive benefits package including generous annual leave and a market-leading pension scheme.

Benefits

30 days of annual leave + bank holidays

Life assurance cover (4× salary)

Defined contribution pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Training and development opportunities

Access to tax-free childcare scheme

Discounts through Reward Gateway

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the beef and lamb/livestock sector.
• Proven people manager with a strong background in operational leadership.
• Exceptional communicator with a proactive approach.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction.
• Act as a trusted adviser and thought leader.
• Oversee and manage a large budget.
• Develop and maintain strong connections with the beef and lamb sector.

Skills

Leadership

Networking

Communication

Strategic thinking

Performance improvement

Job description

Overview

A senior leadership role shaping the future of UK livestock. This is a rare opportunity to join AHDB's leadership team at a pivotal moment for British agriculture and play a defining role in the future of the beef and lamb sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction, acting as a visible and inspirational figure, fostering a high-performing culture that supports professional development.
• Act as a trusted adviser and thought leader, serving as a key conduit between the wider sector stakeholders, AHDB Board and sector council to ensure we deliver value for levy payers.
• Work with the leadership team to create a collaborative culture across AHDB, demonstrating and promoting cultural values and behaviours.
• Oversee and manage a large budget, working in partnership with the sector council to deliver relevant and sustainable value for levy payers, demonstrating a return on investment.
• Develop and maintain a strong profile and connection with the beef and lamb sector - networking and building supply chain relationships.
• Drive focus and delivery across the sector, leading on cross-functional collaborative and shared learning across AHDB to deliver activity as one team.
• Develop strong internal and external awareness to identify opportunities that enhance reputation and growth.
• Facilitate effective cross-functional collaboration and champion open communication and knowledge sharing to maximise impact.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the beef and lamb/livestock sector, with a clear ability to shape and deliver vision.
• Proven people manager with a strong background in operational leadership, known for consistently delivering results and driving performance improvements.
• Ability to think strategically with experience of working at a strategic level and evidence of delivering on vision.
• Exceptional communicator with a proactive approach to sharing insights, ideas and solutions.
• Strong networking capabilities, with a proven track record of building credible relationships across teams, stakeholders and board-level audiences.
• Full UK driving licence with the flexibility to travel throughout the UK and work closely across the devolved nations.

Why AHDB?

AHDB is the independent, impartial public body supporting British farmers, growers and processors. Funded by industry levy, we provide trusted research, market intelligence, domestic marketing and global export support that helps agriculture thrive. Working at AHDB means more than delivering programmes - it means shaping the future of food production, strengthening farming businesses, supporting the environment, and leaving a positive legacy for the next generation.

Benefits

• 35 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
• 30 days of annual leave plus one privilege day and bank holidays.
• Life assurance cover (4× 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.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan.
• Recognition awards throughout the year.
• Access to the Government's tax‑free childcare scheme.
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings.