Director of Food and Drink Curriculum

• Company: Plumpton College
• Closing Date: 01-06-2026
• Location: Plumpton College
• Salary: Up to £59,000 per annum
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Contact Email: recruitment@plumpton.ac.uk

Description

Closing date: 01/06/2026

Assessment Centre: 10/06/2026

 

For over three decades, Plumpton College has been at the forefront of Food and Drink education in the UK, with a nationally and internationally recognised reputation in wine education. Our leadership in this field was recently recognised through a Queen’s Award for services to wine education, reflecting our longstanding commitment to academic excellence, industry relevance and skills development.

Set within the South Downs National Park, Plumpton College is a specialist land-based provider delivering high‑quality vocational and academic education from Entry Level to Master’s degrees. Our Food and Drink provision sits at the heart of this mission, combining rigorous curriculum design, outstanding teaching and applied commercial environments to prepare learners for progression and leadership within the sector.

We are now seeking an exceptional academic and sector leader to take on the pivotal role of Director of Food and Drink. This is a senior curriculum leadership position, reporting to the Vice Principal, with responsibility for the strategic direction, quality and performance of food and drink education across the College.

The role

As Director of Food and Drink, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across curriculum, quality and applied learning, ensuring our provision remains educationally robust, future‑focused and closely aligned to sector need. You will lead the development of a coherent, high‑performing curriculum offer, underpinned by strong employer engagement, labour market intelligence and clear progression routes.

Alongside curriculum leadership, you will have oversight of industry‑standard commercial environments including the vineyard, winery, bakery and butchery facilities ensuring these are used first and foremost to enhance teaching, learning and assessment, while also supporting sustainable commercial performance.

This role plays a key part in shaping food and drink education at local, regional and national level, and contributes to wider College strategy, governance and external reputation.

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a credible educational leader with experience of delivering and leading curriculum in food, drink, wine or a closely related discipline.
• Brings significant sector or industry experience, combined with a clear understanding of how high‑quality education, assessment and learner outcomes are achieved.
• Has a strong track record of raising standards, leading teams and driving continuous improvement in an educational setting.
• Can balance academic rigour with applied, industry facing learning, ensuring learners are well prepared for progression and employment.
• Is committed to student success, inclusive practice and collaborative leadership.

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.