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- Tasks: Lead and innovate in food and drink education, shaping curriculum and commercial activities.
- Company: Plumpton College, a top provider of land, food, and environmental education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 30 days leave, pension scheme, and wellness perks.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on professional development and community wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of food and drink education and industry.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in food and drink, with strong communication and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
Closing date: 11/05/2026
Assessment Centre: 18/05/2026
Plumpton College is a leading provider of land, food 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, food and drink, and environmental studies. Our work is guided by our core values — Professional, Ambitious, Passionate, Supportive, Progressive and Enterprising — which shape our culture, our expectations, and our commitment to educational excellence. We are proud to foster a culture that expects high standards, encourages innovation, and prioritises the learner experience.
We are now seeking an exceptional and forward‑thinking leader to take on the pivotal role of Director of Food and Drink. This newly created, senior and highly influential post offers a unique opportunity to shape the strategic direction, growth and long‑term sustainability of one of the College’s most dynamic, industry‑facing and commercially engaged divisions.
As Director of Food and Drink, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across both curriculum delivery and commercial activity, ensuring our provision remains sector‑leading, future‑focused and closely aligned to industry needs. You will play a key role in shaping education and training for the food and drink sector at local, regional and national levels. You will also have oversight of key commercial enterprises, including the vineyard, winery, bakery and butchery operations, driving performance, innovation and engagement. In addition, you will identify and develop new areas of education provision and commercial opportunity, ensuring the division continues to grow, diversify and respond to emerging market.
In This Role, You Will:
- Set and deliver a clear three‑year strategic vision for Food and Drink, informed by labour market intelligence, sector trends and national priorities.
- Build and sustain strong partnerships with employers, industry bodies and key stakeholders, enhancing Plumpton College’s reputation as a centre of excellence.
- Lead, inspire and develop managers and teams, fostering a high‑performance culture and building leadership capability across the division.
- Ensure outstanding teaching, learning and assessment, championing innovation, learner engagement and high‑quality progression outcomes.
- Oversee curriculum and commercial activity, ensuring sustainable growth, effective use of specialist resources, and delivery against performance targets.
- Drive quality assurance and continuous improvement, using data, learner feedback and evaluation to maintain consistently high standards.
- Work strategically with Commercial, Marketing and operational teams to deliver high‑quality applied learner experiences and commercial outcomes.
- Contribute to wider College leadership, including governance, strategic development, recruitment and external engagement.
This is a strategic leadership role with significant scope to influence the future of food and drink education and skills development across the sector.
About You:
- Proven leadership and management experience, with the ability to inspire teams, develop managers and drive sustained improvement.
- A track record of leading change, raising standards and delivering strong learner outcomes and performance.
- Relevant academic or professional qualifications in Food and Drink or a related discipline, alongside teaching and/or assessing experience.
- Strong sector knowledge and industry insight within food and drink.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively.
- Strategic thinking, strong organisational skills and a commitment to continuous professional development.
You’ll benefit from:
- A competitive salary and a generous benefits package, including 30 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and efficiency days.
- The role is eligible for the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, including employer contributions and life assurance.
- High‑quality CPD and professional development opportunities.
- A structured induction, a supported six‑month probationary period, and a strong coaching culture led by in‑house Level 5 trained coaches.
- Lifestyle and wellbeing benefits, including eligibility for a TOTUM and Blue Light Card, free eye tests, free use of our onsite gym, cycle‑to‑work scheme, discounted Plumpton produce and courses, free onsite parking, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Active EDI and Sustainability committees, regular staff events and social activities throughout the year.
We reserve the right to interview or close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of applications. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Plumpton College is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and is dedicated to pursuing non‑discriminatory policies and practices and eliminating unfair discrimination on any basis. Plumpton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of learners and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Apply now to lead a flagship Food and Drink division and make a lasting impact on learners, industry and the wider sector.
Director of Food and Drink Curriculum employer: onlyFE
Contact Detail:
onlyFE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Food and Drink Curriculum
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience and how it aligns with the role. A confident and clear presentation of your skills can make all the difference in an interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Food and Drink Curriculum
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for food and drink education shine through. We want to see how passionate you are about shaping the future of this sector and how that aligns with our values at Plumpton College.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your relevant experience in leadership and curriculum development. We’re looking for someone who can inspire teams and drive improvement, so showcase those skills clearly!
Be Specific: In your written application, be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the role. Use examples that demonstrate your strategic thinking and ability to build partnerships within the food and drink industry.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to lead our Food and Drink division.
How to prepare for a job interview at onlyFE
✨Know Your Curriculum Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the current trends and challenges within the food and drink sector. Familiarise yourself with Plumpton College's existing programmes and think about how you can enhance them. This will show your passion and commitment to delivering high-quality education.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you inspire teams. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led change or improved learner outcomes. This role is all about driving performance, so demonstrating your ability to foster a high-performance culture is key.
✨Build Partnerships in Your Mind
Consider potential partnerships with employers and industry bodies that could benefit Plumpton College. Be ready to share ideas on how you would enhance the college’s reputation as a centre of excellence through collaboration. This shows strategic thinking and a proactive approach.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be prepared to discuss how you would use data and feedback to drive quality assurance and continuous improvement. Highlight any past experiences where you’ve implemented changes based on evaluation results. This aligns perfectly with the college's commitment to maintaining high standards.