Trial & Validation Lead - Livestock

Are you passionate about bringing innovation to the commercial livestock sector?

A government-funded national organisation is looking for a Trials & Validation Lead to take ownership over all livestock testing activity within its Test, Trial & Demonstration function.

The right candidate will have strong in experience in Livestock Trials - either Beef, Sheep, Dairy, Pig or Poultry. If you are fanatical about livestock innovation, this could be the role for you.

Purpose

The purpose is two-fold: to ensure livestock trials are designed, platformed and executed to the most robust standards, aiming to produce highly accurate data.

But you also genuinely support these agri-tech businesses by focusing on discovering the key facts around the tech or system which are relevant to its implementation.

The right candidate will know how to construct both robust and relevant trials, to test the direct uses of the product, ensuring consistency in protocols and data quality.

Innovation in livestock systems only succeeds if it is tried and tested with real scenarios. This role sits at the critical point between development and adoption, ensuring technologies are tested properly. The evidence credible, and outcomes are meaningful to farmers, supply chains and investors. This is not about trial quantity. It is about trial quality, relevance, and impact.

Responsibilities

Lead all livestock trial and validation activity

Line manage Trials & Validation Coordinators within individual sector, supporting delivery and development

Drive continuous improvement standards within technical teams under report

Act as the key contact point for agri-tech businesses, farmers and supply chain partners

Represent livestock trials activity internally and externally

Ensure trials are well designed, robust and commercially representative

Oversee delivery to ensure timelines, budgets and programme KPIs are met

Maintain high standards in data quality, protocols and evidence generation

Ensure testing reflects real operating environments and commercial conditions

Develop and enhance livestock testbed and trial capability

Improve frameworks, processes and systems for consistent delivery

Support the evolution of how trials are conducted across the organisation

Align trial activity with agri-tech business objectives and programme outcomes

Ensure trials demonstrate ROI, performance and real-world advantage

Support business growth by generating relevant evidence

Build relationships with early adopters, farmers and value chain partners

Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver successful programmes

Provide clear, high-quality reporting to leadership, boards and funding bodies

You are ensuring all trials in the livestock sector are done properly, sitting between strategy and execution. You will translate direction into high-quality delivery. Your work directly influences whether technologies are adopted at scale.

You will bring:

Extensive technical experience within livestock systems

Proven leadership within trials, validation or applied R&D environments

Experience managing highly professional teams of technical people

Strong track record of running livestock trials in real-world environments

Programme or multi-project delivery experience with multiple stakeholders

Strong understanding of animal health, welfare and regulatory frameworks

Ability to critically assess data, identify gaps and communicate limitations

Commercial awareness and ability to link trials to market needs

Strong stakeholder management across industry and partner networks

Clear and confident communicator across technical and non-technical audiences

Highly organised, good at managing own schedule

Self-motivated, collaborative and delivery-focused

Degree in Agriculture, Animal Science or related field (or equivalent experience)

Full UK driving licence

Desirable

Experience working with data/modelling teams

Engagement with government, research or industry bodies

Project management experience

The Opportunity

This is a key role within the Test, Trial & Demonstration function.

You will have direct influence over how livestock technologies are tested, validated and proven, ensuring that innovation is translated into real-world impact across UK agriculture.

For the right individual, this is an opportunity to step into a leadership position where your work shapes not just trials, but outcomes across the sector.

To apply:

For more information and an informal confidential discussion please call Rupert Kettle on: Office 01885 485523 or e-mail your CV and covering letter to rupert.kettle@delacyexecutive.co.uk

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