About Us

Airfield is a 38-acre working educational farm and gardens located in Dundrum, Dublin 14 (www.airfield.ie). As one of Dublin's leading visitor attractions, we welcome local, national and international visitors throughout the year. We provide a wide range of programmes and activities that aim to promote an understanding of agriculture, horticulture and the link between farming and food production.

Over the next five years, Airfield's goal is to become a leading voice in food sustainability beyond the walls of Dundrum. The charity wishes to continue to be an educational and visitor attraction, while in parallel develop its credentials as a force for good in terms of advocating for food sustainability for all, through being a voice and a real influence in society.

The future Airfield Estate will be a leading, self-funded, business orientated, educational and recreational visitor attraction, with a purpose to help people to get to know their food, building on the story and legacy of the Overend sisters.

As an independent educational visitor attraction, Airfield will continue to appeal to its core membership and day visitor audience, whilst broadening its geographic range and attracting a wider “foodie” and food producer audience, including national and international tourists.

Role Summary

Airfield Estate is seeking to appoint a creative and inclusive leader who has the skills and experience to design and oversee an effective education and research programme to support our mission, and position Airfield appropriately in the public sphere. Working closely with the CEO, and sitting as part of the Airfield Senior Leadership Team, the Head of Education and Research will ensure there is a plan and framework for education and research including a strategic focus, aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, partnership opportunities and funding undertakings.

The Head of Education and Research will be required to engage with key stakeholders and bring to life Airfield Estate's mission 'to inspire and enable informed food choices…' and ambition to be Dublin's sustainable food hub in a world leading sustainable food city to life.

Airfield Estate has recently been granted Research Institute status by the Department of Education and is the dissemination partner on a number of EU funded projects. Research will be a key area in delivering Airfield's vision to be a leading voice in food sustainability which includes:

· Developing and implementing Airfields research strategy through securing funding, in areas of novel research for the Estate , research study design, data capture & stakeholder engagement.

· Overseeing our formal and informal education programmes from early years to adult education.

· Developing the team of employees and research students, talent and partnerships.

This position oversees the effectiveness of all day-to-day education and research activities. They will ensure there is a cohesive storytelling to influencers and decision makers about the activities that happen on the estate in Food Production, Garden, Farming, Culinary Team, Education and Events in the delivery of an authentic education programme.

They will provide dynamic leadership and drive innovation to:

· Create a profile for Airfield beyond the four walls of the estate through communication of key topics to a wide variety of audiences.

· Provide evidence to support changes at policy level on relevant topics within Ireland and Europe.

· Create a diverse supportive network of organisations collaborating with Airfield Estate.

Main Responsibilities

• Bring to life Airfield Estate's ambitions as outlined in the Airfield Strategy 2023-2028.
• Contribute to the corporate management and direction of the organisation as part of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Develop the strategy, aims and business plan for Education and Research to support the achievement of Airfield's mission and ambition.
• Maximise Airfield's capacity to benefit from grants across the education and research sector.
• Develop further Airfield's research capabilities and profile as a registered research institute.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and in collaboration with the Commercial Director on growth areas and new developments, outlining opportunities to expand and refine the existing education offering.
• Stay informed about policy, research, and practice developments in areas relevant to Airfield.
• Oversee end-to-end production of curriculum relevant education programmes including commercial viability, stakeholder management, contract drafting needs analysis, project planning, delivery and evaluation.
• Act as spokesperson for Airfield at industry, government, media and academic events.
• Secretariat to the Airfield Education and Research Committee.
• Produce and publish submissions, papers and presentations to relevant stakeholders including government, academia and industry groups.
• Contribute to robust and impactful policy proposals, consultations, and pre budget submissions that further Airfield's mission and ambition.
• Contribute to the budget formulation and approval process and work within allocated budgets and income.
• Motivate, manage, develop, and direct team members including interns and students.
• Perform any additional duties that may be assigned by the CEO as this role evolves.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will be expected to have the following essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Significant experience in strategy development, management and delivery of education and research programmes.
• A proven track record in grant writing and applications.
• Extensive expertise in applied research and a motivation to engage with public with research outcomes
• Ability to represent Airfield to key stakeholders and to build effective relationships within government, academia, and industry groups.
• Strong operational experience in the design, rollout and management of competitive funding calls.
• An ability to work with initiative and autonomy and take responsibility for a functional role within a small team.
• Experience as an inclusive leader, working with their team to achieve deliverables with supervision of research students desirable.
• An understanding of the Irish education system and the relevant government and semi-state stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, numeric and report writing skills with attention to detail.
• Sound knowledge of budgeting processes.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organisational skills – the ability to work on own initiative and prioritise workload.
• At least a Masters in a relevant area with practical research experience. A PhD is desirable but not essential.

This is a full time permanent position, 5 days over 7 with some weekend work required.

Airfield Estate is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.