Director of Food and Drink

Plumpton College • Full-time • Lewes, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom • £57,000 - £59,000 / year • 20h ago

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

We are seeking a collaborative, resilient and visionary leader with a strong commitment to student success and sector excellence. You will bring:

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

We offer 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. Staff also benefit from high‑quality CPD and professional development opportunities. As a Disability Confident Committed employer and signatory of the Menopause Pledge, we are proud to support an inclusive working environment.

New colleagues benefit from a structured induction, a supported six‑month probationary period, and a strong coaching culture led by in‑house Level 5 trained coaches.

Employees also enjoy 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.

Our commitment to wellbeing and community is further demonstrated through 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.

Apply