Strategic Director of Agriculture & Environment 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

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.