Policy Adviser (Dairy)

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION; Kenilworth; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cashplan

Enhanced parental leave

Pension and life assurance

On-site restaurant

Free parking

Job summary

The National Farmers’ Union is seeking an Adviser (Dairy) to champion the interests of dairy farming members in the UK. You will work with the National Dairy Board, provide policy advice, and develop lobbying strategies based on legislative, technical and market developments to support members’ businesses.

You will translate complex policy issues for varied audiences, build influential relationships, and ensure members are informed and represented on key dairy topics.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of the UK food industry, policy development or government decision‑making processes.
• Strong communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills.
• Strategic thinker able to work independently and manage priorities.
• Understanding of agriculture or the dairy sector and proficiency with MS Office/AI tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert policy advice to dairy farming members and shape strategy.
• Develop lobbying strategies and analyse legislative, technical and market developments.
• Communicate complex policy issues clearly to diverse audiences.
• Build influential relationships and ensure members are informed and represented.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Independent working

Time management

AI tools

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Salary: c. £42,000 (Dependant on Skills and Experience)

Location: Stoneleigh, Warwickshire with agile working

Working Hours:35 hours per week

Contract Type:Permanent

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is the biggest farming organisation in the UK. 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, from climate change and food standards to rural crime and broadband rollout.

Purpose of the role & how you will contribute:

As Adviser (Dairy), you'll play a key role in championing the interests of dairy farming members and helping shape the future of the dairy sector. Working closely with the National Dairy Board and industry stakeholders, you'll provide expert policy advice, develop lobbying strategies, and analyse legislative, technical and market developments. You'll communicate complex policy issues clearly, build influential relationships, and ensure members are informed and represented on the issues that matter most to their businesses.

What you’ll bring:

You'll have a degree or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline, alongside knowledge of the UK food industry, policy development or government decision-making processes. Strong communication, influencing and relationship-building skills are essential, with the ability to translate technical information for a variety of audiences. You'll be a strategic thinker who can work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver results. An understanding of agriculture or the dairy sector, together with a proactive, solutions-focused approach and confidence using Microsoft Office and AI tools, would be advantageous.

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:

• Generous holiday allowance (starting at 25 days a year + Bank Holidays, rising to 30 days with length of service), plus 1 annual Christmas company day
• Option to buy and sell up to 5 days annual leave
• Company funded health Cashplan
• 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 a range of vehicles, holiday rentals, wellbeing and lifestyle and many more
• Attractive, modern office, with on‑site restaurant and free parking

Who we are

Every day, we're the voice of around 44,000 British farmers and growers who produce food, making sure their concerns are heard at the heart of government both online and locally. This means developing strong relationships with everyone from NFU colleagues to government ministers. As well as having a high profile in both the media and Westminster, we work with and support local members through a network of regional and county offices across England and Wales.

Policy and Trade & Business Strategy

This team takes an active role in developing and influencing the policies that benefit farming businesses across the UK. This means keeping up to date with and responding to national and international developments, engaging with and advising NFU members, and putting their decisions into action.

It’s exciting, sometimes technical work, covering every area of farming and dealing with a range of stakeholders, from government ministers, civil servants and the media, to local NFU branches. The sheer variety of our work means you can be involved in a wide range of projects from initial research to policy delivery. Our collaborative approach means you’ll find plenty of opportunities to build your knowledge – it’s up to you to seize them.

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 build a career that balances your professional ambitions with your personal commitments including discussions around agile and flexible work options.