Chief Operating Officer

For over 180 years, Rothamsted has been at the forefront of agricultural science and innovation. At the heart of the Campus is a unique partnership between Rothamsted Research, Rothamsted Enterprises and the Lawes Agricultural Trust. Rothamsted Research is a world-leading agricultural research institution and has played a defining role in shaping modern, science-based agriculture; Rothamsted Enterprises is a business hub, partnering with commercial, agricultural and technology businesses, promoting innovation in agricultural technology; the Lawes Agricultural Trust supports pioneering agricultural research through the provision of land, facilities and funding for research. The Rothamsted Campus brings together internationally renowned scientific research, commercial innovation, agricultural enterprises and charitable stewardship to address some of the world's most pressing challenges in food security, sustainability and environmental resilience.

We are now seeking to appoint an outstanding leader in the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Rothamsted campus. Reporting directly to both the Chief Executive Officer of Rothamsted Research and to the Chair of the Lawes Agricultural Trust, the COO will be a key member of the Executive Team, working across the Campus’s three constituent organisations. The postholder will lead a broad portfolio of professional services and operational functions across the Campus, including: Estates and Facilities, Property and Asset Management, IT and Health and Safety. They will lead a complex operation, covering scientific research, commercial opportunity and charitable objectives. The new COO will ensure holistic, high-quality delivery: identifying efficiencies and supporting future growth and sustainability.  This important role will lead the development and delivery of campus-wide operational, estate and infrastructure strategies, overseeing a diverse estate that includes farmland, residential accommodation and laboratories. They will need to build key relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across the entire Rothamsted Campus, delivering on organisational and cultural change.

We are seeking an accomplished and collaborative operational leader with experience of complex environments and diverse stakeholder landscapes. Candidates will bring a proven track record of leading complex operations, estates and multidisciplinary teams. They must be able to inspire their team and get the most out of the experts with whom they work. They will also have the skill to operate at all levels in the organisation, rolling up their sleeves when needed and engaging well with the Executive Team and the Board. They will have experience of delivering organisational change and driving improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal role in ensuring that Rothamsted continues to deliver world-leading research and innovation for generations to come.

The closing date for all applications, which should be in the form of a CV and cover letter, and addressed to rothamsted@minervasearch.com, is by Monday 12^th October 2026.

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