The Pasture-Fed Livestock Association (PFLA) is looking to recruit a Chief Executive, initially part-time, to lead it through the next transformative stages of its development.
 
The PFLA promotes the raising of ruminant livestock exclusively on grazed and conserved pasture and forage.  A membership organisation of
farmers and butchers, working together to build the market for certified ‘Pasture for Life’ beef, lamb and milk, it is now recruiting a chief executive to build on its solid achievements and take the ‘Pasture for Life’ certification mark to scale.

Established as a not-for-profit community interest company in 2011, the PFLA has developed the registered ‘Pasture for Life’ Certification Mark, created an identity in the market and built a membership of over 250 - mostly farmers - to which it provides a range of services.
 
Supported with funding from the EsméeFairbairn Foundation, it can now increase its modest staffing levels to continue to grow income through membership fees and levies. A high-level, part-time Chief Executive will take the organisation to the next stage and ensure that it is self-financing by the end of 2018.
 
“The success of the PFLA depends on its farmer members selling their products to certified market outlets, so the job has a strong focus on facilitating other people to succeed in their own businesses,” says PFLA chairman Dr John Meadley.
 
“We are now based next to the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, and are run by a small, young team consisting of two full time equivalents, supported by a Board of Directors and a group of committed and experienced volunteers. The ability to think strategically, to represent the PFLA at every level, and keep this dedicated team working together will be essential.”
 
The Chief Executive will be responsible for:

• Ensuring the organisation is financially self-supporting by the end of 2018
• The strategic development and growth of the organisation
• Devising and updating the business plan
• Overseeing the operational activities of the organisation
• Supporting and co-ordinating the work of the Chairman and Board
• Fundraising and assessing the potential for establishing the ‘Pasture for Life’ Foundation as a charitable entity to address those elements of the work that benefit the public good

 
“This is an exciting opportunity to build the identity of the certification mark, the market for the certified produce, the farming system that underwrites it and the membership that makes it happen,” says Dr Meadley.
 
“It is likely to suit someone with experience of building a business and a passion for farming and the environment, or with an established career in farming and/or the meat/milk sector, who is now looking for a new challenge to grow this young dynamic organisation into a force for the future.”
 
The appointment is initially for three days (flexible) a week with annual remuneration of £30,000 (£50,000 pro rata).  More information on the post is available at www.pastureforlife.org.
 
Expressions of interest plus CV should be sent to PFLA director Fidelity Weston via romshed@weald.co.uk by Friday 25 November 2016.  Interviews will take place in Cirencester on 7 December 2016.