North East Farm Business Support Service Manager
£41,771 - £46,142 per annum | Fixed Term (3 years) | Full Time
Rothbury or Hexham (hybrid working available)
About the role
We're looking for an experienced, motivated and collaborative leader to take on the role of Service Manager for the
North East Farm Business Support Service
, an exciting regional programme supporting farm businesses and rural communities across the North East.
Working within our Park Management Directorate, you'll provide strategic leadership for the service on behalf of Northumberland National Park Authority and key regional partners. You'll manage a small project team, oversee programme delivery and budgets, and act as a key ambassador for the project locally, regionally and nationally.
This is a high-profile role offering the opportunity to shape and showcase innovative support for farming, land management and rural enterprise during a period of significant change for the sector.
What you'll be doing
* Leading the strategic development and delivery of the North East Farm Business Support Service
* Managing and supporting a small team, fostering a positive, collaborative and high-performing culture
* Working closely with delivery partners including Northumberland County Council, Durham County Council, Gateshead Council and the North East Combined Authority
* Holding overall responsibility for budget management, claims, reporting and programme governance
* Promoting and showcasing the programme internally and externally, including engagement with land managers, education providers, food and drink initiatives and the agri-tech sector
* Leading monitoring, evaluation and reporting to funding bodies and partner organisations
* Preparing and presenting reports to ensure effective governance, compliance and accountability
About you
You'll bring a strong mix of strategic thinking, partnership working and practical delivery experience, along with a genuine understanding of farming and rural economies.
We're looking for someone who has:
* Degree-level education in a land-based or project management discipline (or equivalent experience)
* Strong knowledge of farm businesses and the policy landscape affecting farming and rural communities
* Proven experience of managing people, projects and budgets, ideally within grant-funded programmes
* Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to work with landowners, partners and senior stakeholders
* Experience of collaborative partnership working and externally delivered contracts
* The ability to lead independently, build relationships and engage stakeholders early and effectively
Why join us?
* Be part of a forward-thinking National Park Authority with strong values and a collaborative culture
* Play a key role in shaping the future of farming and rural enterprise in the North East
* Flexible hybrid working and the chance to work across one of the UK's most inspiring landscapes
* Work on a flagship regional programme with real impact for farm businesses and communities
How to apply
If this role sounds like it's for you, then we really would like to hear from you.
The Park Authority is an inclusive organisation, and we welcome applications from everyone irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, relationship status, disability, age and social class. If you are an applicant with disabilities who meets the essential requirements of the post, we will interview you.
For more information, please see our job pack available on our website.
The application form is here:
Application Form – Fill in form
The full job description is below:
Northumberland National Park Authority
Job Description
Post: North East Farm Business Support Service Manager
Directorate:
Park Management
Responsible to:
Head of Farming and Rural Enterprise
Responsible for:
Project team with 4 team members
Grade:
Band 6
Term: 1 FTE Fixed Term Contract from 1st April 2026 through to 31st March 2029.
Workbase: Based from our offices in Rothbury or Hexham including travel within the North East region. Hybrid work from home options also available.
Job purpose
This post will report to
Head of Farming and Rural Enterprise
and will be responsible for the following main tasks:
* Strategic and delivery lead for the
North East Farm Business Support Service
on behalf of Northumberland National Park Authority and regional partners.
* Work closely with the delivery partners; Northumberland County Council, Durham County Council, Gateshead Council and the North East Combined Authority.
* To lead and manage the
North East Farm Business Support Service
team, working with a range of partners in order to successfully deliver the programme and deliverables. Promote a culture based on teamwork, open communication and collaboration throughout the Authority and the wider partners.
* Overall responsibility for budget management, project claims and reporting, including oversight of all project deliverables.
* To be the strategic lead on the promotion and showcasing of this exciting regional project, both internally and externally. Develop frameworks which facilitate communication and engagement between partners, the land management community and other key stakeholders such as rural further education institutes, the regional food and drink initiatives, the agri-tech sector; specifically promoting the Landscape Recovery Project.
* Lead project and programme level evaluation, including reporting to funding bodies and key programme partners, including the National Park Authority and Northumberland County Council as lead delivery partner.
* Lead the preparation and presentation of reports in respect of the
North East Farm Business Support
service
to programme delivery partners to ensure effective governance and compliance.
- Work closely with colleagues across various organisations, particularly those key programme partners as outlined above.
- When acting as a manager, lead by example in demonstrating the Authority's agreed Culture and Values, and Living Values through your work.
Motivate teams and individuals by providing clear direction, timely communication and maintaining positive relationships with all stakeholders.
Other Duties
* Ensure that work and service provision is carried out in a manner which safeguards the health and safety of the workforce and the general public observing and applying Health & Safety Policy and Practices.
* Proactively support the promotion of equality and inclusion in all areas of work.
* Comply with General Protection Data Regulation (GDPR) and implement Memorandum of Understanding with key partners, as appropriate.
* Any other duties consistent with the nature, level and grade of the post as may be required.
Northumberland National Park Authority
Person Specification
Essential
Knowledge
* Educated to degree level in a land-based discipline or project management related discipline or equivalent level of experience.
* Knowledge and understanding of farm businesses.
* Knowledge of current policy and issues facing farming and rural communities in the North East.
* Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of all relevant policy and operational matters in respect of natural capital, public access, landscape, farming, woodland and forestry and historic environment.
Skills
* Excellent interpersonal written and verbal communication skills, in particular an ability to discuss and negotiate effectively with landowners and other stakeholders.
* Ability to influence partners in a way that leads to effective delivery and good working relationships.
* Confident in the use of information technology systems, the use of Microsoft Office 365, MS Teams and GIS applications.
* Ability to monitor and manage budgets.
* Thorough understanding of relevant legislation, best practice and contemporary issues in farm business and upland rural economies.
* Excellent organisational skills, including project management and financial planning.
Experience
* Experience in managing and directing staff and team work planning, including experience in appraisal and performance management at a project and individual staff member level
* A track record of working with partners in collaborative projects.
* Experience of working with farm businesses.
* Experience of managing grant aided projects e.g. working to deadlines, management of budgets using spreadsheets and reporting to funders.
* Experience in procurement of externally delivered services or contracts.
Personal Qualities
* Ability to work a flexible pattern and travel to sites to fulfil the requirements of the post.
* An ability to provide visible and supportive leadership in empowering and enabling staff.
* An ability to lead, take the initiative and work independently.
* An ability to engage key stakeholders in projects at an early stage.
* An outstanding ability to communicate in a variety of ways to a range of audiences, including written word, digital communications, formal presentations and in one to one meetings.
* Ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.