Riseholme Estate

Location:  Lincoln
Salary:   From £33,797 per annum
This post is full time at 37 hours per week.
Closing Date:   Sunday 10 January 2021
Interview Date:   Wednesday 27 January 2021
Reference:  EF5221

The University of Lincoln is a high-achieving centre of academic excellence which has been recognised nationally and internationally, named Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021. It is an ambitious, fast-paced dynamic organisation with multiple stakeholders which strives always to improve the staff and student experience and engagement with the wider Lincoln community. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for the position of Assistant Farm Manager to help support and manage the operation of the farm including the management of livestock at Riseholme Park. Riseholme Park comprises of a 220 hectares estate, 3 miles to the north of Lincoln. with arable and livestock farms, lake, woodlands, formal grounds and gardens. In addition, there is an extensive building stock including the Grade 2 listed Old Hall and Stable Yard, along with a glasshouse unit that supports the grounds upkeep and provides space for research, projects and trials. The arable land on the Estate is currently managed through a Farm Business Tenancy whilst the remainder of the land including grassland, woodland and grounds is directly maintained by the University.

It is a mixed agricultural and academic estate which acts as a hub for members of the Greater Lincolnshire agricultural community and is also used for recreational purposes by members of the general public. The Riseholme Herd currently comprises of approximately 60 head of Lincoln Red cattle, the Riseholme Flock of 10 Lincoln Longwool Sheep and a further 200 Texel x Mules.

The University has recently entered into a new long-term agreement with Bishop Burton College which secures the provision of high quality land-based further and higher education at Riseholme and has allowed the investment of c.£4m in modern livestock and equine facilities.

In addition, the campus is also home to the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT), a specialist research institute which is experiencing a period of rapid expansion. 

The Assistant Farm Manager is responsible to the Farm & Estate Manager and will be a point of reference for the wider department and University. The Assistant Farm Manager will assist with the financial and physical performance of the farm and as such will be skilled in all aspects of farm management and environmental management and the business and financial aspects of farm management. The post holder is responsible for delivering the short and long-term business plan for the farm as directed by the Farm and Estate Manager and will work closely with other colleagues in the Estates Department to ensure the effective and safe running of the wider estate at Riseholme.

The post holder is responsible directly for the Grounds team and other staff responsible for managing the estate. The successful candidate will be expected to ensure compliance with all farm policies and ensure all legislative record keeping is kept up to date and will have extensive and detailed knowledge of current and future farming and environmental practices. The successful candidate will contribute to the future development of the Estate.