Job Introduction
We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as UK Food Valley Innovation Coordinator.
You will be the main day to day contact for the cluster management of the Innovate UK agri-tech and food-tech launchpad in Eastern England – an Innovation programme that provides £7.5 million of locked off innovation funding, accelerating and strengthening innovation across the agri-food sector within the cluster.
Supporting the development of this innovation cluster, you will be working with external project partners of Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council, and the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. Tasks will include Innovate UK Project Administration (such as claims and reporting) as well as co-ordinating activity, meetings and work programmes across the Eastern England region. You will also be working with the other regional partners to develop content, briefings and organise both virtual and in person events, and to engage with regional stakeholders working in the innovation landscape.
We are looking for someone who is great at organisation of a work programme, good at working with people, and can present key messages in an engaging and concise manner, and reach stakeholders far and wide. Travel around between the four counties will be expected as part of the job - as such, access to your own transport is essential.
About the Team
UK Food Valley is an initiative (run by Lincolnshire County Council) aiming to promote Greater Lincolnshire’s agri-food sector to become a top 10 global food cluster.
UKFV supports growth and encourages inward investment through promoting the scale, diversity and importance of the food sector to the area, and by ensuring that existing food sector companies and new investors are supported.
About You
We are seeking to appoint someone with the right skills and experience who has; empathy, drive, enthusiasm, flexibility and commitment.
You will need to be a resilient, confident and capable person who is able to establish and build excellent working relationships internally and externally across other businesses.
As well as excellent people skills you will need:
- IT skills across the entire Microsoft package
- Be well organised
- Be confident working with external stakeholders
- An understanding of the agri-food sector or innovation programmes (desirable)
This role can be undertaken as a secondment. If you are an internal candidate, please ensure your line manager is aware if you are applying for this role as a secondment opportunity.
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Vanessa Strange on vanessa.strange@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Closing date: 28th September 2025.
Due to recent changes in immigration law in the UK we are unable to offer skilled worker visa sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the requirements of RQF Level 6.
All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.
On occasion, we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward.
We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.
Lincolnshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
A Smarter Working Employer
We have embraced new ways of working and hybrid working will be a feature of this role. You will be given a nominated contractual work base and you will be required to commute to this work base when necessary. Working arrangements regarding hybrid working will be discussed as part of the appointment process.
Our technology platform and equipment is very good enabling you to connect and collaborate remotely. We require that you have in place good connectivity, and we will discuss during the recruitment process if support with this is needed.
Fluency Duty
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Attached documents
