Head of Trials & Validation

Overall responsibilities for the development management and delivery of trials and validation activities on UKATC platforms and test beds. Generate trusted data, evidence and information from real world environment to support agri-tech business growth and agri-tech product adoption.

Team Purpose: Helping innovative businesses test and validate their technologies in real world environments. Generate the data and information to demonstrate reliable performance at scale and provide the evidence needed to progress business development and growth. Provide relevant data information to prove relative advantage and ROI of product in operational environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Functional and effective UK wide platform/test bed and trials capability that supports program outputs and outcomes, CR&D and commercial portfolio.
• Robust operational, trials and data collection framework for UKATC.
• Robust data collection, data analysis and data infrastructure for UKATC.
• Development and management of a high performing team.
• Financial forecasting and budgeting.
• Resource, capacity and capability management.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage and enhance UKATC Test, Trial and Validation Capability.
• Ensure relevant business KPIs, targets & programmes are met.
• Ensure trial and validation activities meet commercial needs.
• Shape and embed an empowered, impact driven culture across team.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Oversee all validation, data and trial delivery workstreams from the UKATC.
• Ensure UKATC agri-tech platform & testbeds deliver commercially representative trials.
• Set standards for data quality, protocols and evidence generation.
• Align trials work with agri-tech business commercial goals and IUK programme outcomes.
• Work with Engagement team to build relationships with early adopters, value chain partners as appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with other Test Trial & Demonstrate Heads of Business to achieve business KPIs and targets.
• Support continuous improvement across test and validation team/capability.
• Provide relevant information in a timely manner and of a high standard/quality to internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the UKATC and its activities to a range of stakeholders.

Leadership / People Responsibilities:

• Direct line management.
• Day to day leadership, mentoring and coaching.
• Key contact point for agri-tech business, farmers/growers/supply chain.
• Role model collaborative, outcome focused and disciplined delivery behaviours.
• Key leadership role as Head of Business within UKATC.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

Essential:

• 5 years plus leadership experience in trials, validation or applied R&D environments.
• Proven experience developing and managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Track record in management of remote/offsite teams.
• Sound understanding of animal health & welfare, crop health, environmental and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Understanding of relevant HSE practices.
• Experience in shaping processes, standards and frameworks.
• Ability to pivot quickly to deal with new and emerging priorities.
• Ability to articulate a compelling case for change and coach other managers on messaging, influence and behaviour modelling for their teams.
• Stakeholder and relationship management internally and externally.
• Proven experience with customer management.
• Committed to working collaboratively and collegiately across the UK Agri-Tech Centre.
• Team player, self-motivated.
• Strong communication skills to a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent time management.
• Able to prioritise workload and make effective decisions at pace when required.
• Excellent IT skills and proficient with Microsoft environments.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Project management.

Additional information:

Technical / Professional Competencies:

• Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science, Agronomy or a related field or equivalent commercial experience.
• In depth knowledge of R&D, agricultural trials.