Director of Agriculture and Environmental Studies

Plumpton College; Lewes; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Plumpton College invites applications for a Director of Agriculture and Environment Studies. This strategic leadership role shapes curriculum and growth, aligning programmes with industry needs and national priorities.

You will lead managers and teams, drive quality in teaching and assessment, and build strong partnerships with employers and sector bodies to deliver regional and national impact.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of leading and managing teams, with the ability to inspire, develop managers and deliver sustained high performance.
• A track record of leading change, driving improvement and achieving strong learner outcomes.
• Sector knowledge and industry insight within agriculture, environmental studies or related land-based disciplines.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills, with confidence using data and management information to inform decision-making.
• A commitment to continuous professional development and collaborative working.
• Leadership qualification and/or postgraduate qualification (Master’s degree or PhD) would be welcomed but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Set and deliver a clear strategic vision for Agriculture and Environment Studies, anticipating sector trends, future skills needs and national priorities.
• Build and sustain partnerships with employers, industry bodies and stakeholders to inform curriculum development and drive regional and national impact.
• Lead and inspire managers and teams, fostering a high-performance culture and developing future leaders across the division.
• Ensure consistently outstanding teaching, learning and assessment, championing innovation, learner engagement and progression.
• Oversee curriculum activity, ensuring sustainable growth, effective use of resources and delivery against performance and financial targets.
• Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement through the effective use of data, evaluation and learner feedback.
• Contribute to wider College leadership, governance and cross-college initiatives, supporting strategic development and external engagement.

Skills

Leading teams

Change leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Curriculum leadership

Data-driven decision making

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Education

Master’s degree or PhD welcomed

Teaching or assessment experience

Curriculum leadership qualifications

Job description

Assessment Centre: 13th November

Plumpton College is a leading provider of land and environmental education in the UK, set within the inspiring landscape of the South Downs National Park. We deliver high-quality vocational and academic programmes from Entry Level through to Master’s degrees across nineteen specialist subject areas, including agriculture, animal science, veterinary science, horticulture, equine studies, wine, and environmental studies.

Our work is guided by our core values — Professional, Ambitious, Passionate, Supportive, Progressive and Enterprising — which shape our culture, expectations and commitment to excellence. We are proud to foster a learning environment that is learner-focused, industry-connected and future-oriented.

We are now seeking an outstanding and forward‑thinking leader to take on the pivotal role of Director of Agriculture and Environment Studies. This leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction, growth and long‑term sustainability of one of Plumpton College’s most significant curriculum departments.

As Director, you will provide visionary leadership across agriculture and environmental provision, ensuring programmes remain innovative, sector‑leading and closely aligned to industry and labour market needs. The role plays a key part in strengthening Plumpton College’s reputation as a centre of excellence within the land‑based and environmental sectors.

In this role, you will:

• Set and deliver a clear strategic vision for Agriculture and Environment Studies, anticipating sector trends, future skills needs and national priorities.

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with employers, industry bodies and stakeholders to inform curriculum development and drive regional and national impact.

• Lead and inspire managers and teams, fostering a high‑performance culture and developing future leaders across the division.

• Ensure consistently outstanding teaching, learning and assessment, championing innovation, learner engagement and progression.

• Oversee curriculum activity, ensuring sustainable growth, effective use of resources and delivery against performance and financial targets.

• Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement through the effective use of data, evaluation and learner feedback.

• Contribute to wider College leadership, governance and cross‑college initiatives, supporting strategic development and external engagement.

This is a strategic and influential role with significant scope to shape the future of agriculture and environmental education at both regional and national levels.

About You

We are seeking a collaborative, ambitious and strategic leader with a strong commitment to learner success and sector excellence. You will bring:

• Proven experience of leading and managing teams, with the ability to inspire, develop managers and deliver sustained high performance.

• A track record of leading change, driving improvement and achieving strong learner outcomes.

• Relevant professional or academic qualifications, with experience in curriculum leadership, teaching and/or assessment.

• Sector knowledge and industry insight within agriculture, environmental studies or related land‑based disciplines.

• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external partners.

• Excellent organisational and problem‑solving skills, with confidence using data and management information to inform decision‑making.

• A commitment to continuous professional development and collaborative working.

A leadership qualification and/or postgraduate qualification (Master’s degree or PhD) would be welcomed but is not essential.