Livestock Trials & Validation Lead

The UK Agri-Tech Centre

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The UK Agri-Tech Centre is seeking a Livestock Trials & Validation Lead to manage and deliver livestock trials and technology validation activities. This role is crucial for supporting agri-tech business growth and product adoption by generating trusted data and evidence from The UK Agri-Tech Centre facilities. The position will also support the development and delivery of various projects within the livestock sector. The team's purpose is to help innovative businesses test and validate their technologies in real-world environments, generate data to demonstrate reliable performance at scale, and provide evidence of relative advantage and ROI. This is a field-based role requiring travel to client sites, partner sites, and company locations. Some remote work from home or occasional site visits are also expected.

Requirements

Extensive technical experience of the livestock industry and systems.
Proven leadership in trials, validation or applied R&D environments.
Experience in line management.
Experience with and involvement in programme management with multiple projects with interlinking stakeholders and priorities.
Track record in hands-on experience of R&D/innovation livestock trials in real-world environments.
Awareness of animal health & welfare relevant regulatory frameworks and HSE practices.
Ability to critically assess evidence, identify gaps, and articulate limitations clearly.
Ability to pivot quickly to deal with new and emerging priorities.
Effective customer/stakeholder management across a wider user base – including multi-partner projects.
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.
Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science or a related field or equivalent commercial experience.
In-depth knowledge of R&D, agricultural trials.

Nice To Haves

Experience working alongside data, modelling, or measurement teams to support impact claims.
Prior engagement with government agencies, research institutes, or industry bodies.
Project Management Experience.

Responsibilities

Lead on The UK Agri-Tech Centre livestock trial and validation activities.
Ensure The UK Agri-Tech Centre platforms/test beds and trials capability for the livestock sector are functional and effective.
Ensure high quality robust livestock trials, data and evidence generation at The UK Agri-Tech Centre.
Develop and enhance livestock The UK Agri-Tech Centre Test, Trial and Validation Capability.
Ensure relevant business KPIs, targets & programmes are met.
Oversee trial and delivery work for the livestock sector for The UK Agri-Tech Centre.
Deliver activities within time and budget.
Ensure The UK Agri-Tech Centre delivers commercially representative trials.
Develop, roll out and continually improve frameworks, processes and approach for data quality, protocols and evidence generation.
Align The UK Agri-Tech Centre livestock trials and validation activities with agri-tech business commercial goals and IUK programme outcomes.
Work with colleagues to build relationships with early adopters, value chain partners as appropriate.
Support continuous improvement within the team.
Provide relevant information in a timely manner and of a high standard to internal and external stakeholders (e.g., board, IUK as required).
Represent The UK Agri-Tech Centre and its activities to a range of stakeholders.
Line management of Trials and Validation Coordinator.
Key contact point for agri-tech businesses, farmers/growers/supply chain relevant to sector-specific testbed/platform.