Co-founder, Sustainable Agriculture

Role Overview

You will step in as the chief executive of a purpose-driven venture focused on transforming the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through sustainable food production. Day to day, you will shape the organisation’s long-term direction, build commercial momentum, and lead the push toward financial independence while keeping the mission at the core of every decision. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can navigate ambiguity, earn trust with diverse stakeholders, and build a lasting enterprise from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the company’s overall strategy, translating a bold vision into a clear, executable roadmap that guides every team and initiative.
• Develop and deepen relationships with financiers, off-takers, and public-sector bodies to unlock capital, market access, and institutional support.
• Act as the public face of the business, building visibility and credibility with partners, investors, and the wider ecosystem to accelerate growth and impact.
• Drive a deliberate transition from grant-dependent operations toward a sustainable commercial model with measurable financial targets.
• Recruit, mentor, and retain a high-calibre leadership team, including hiring senior executives who can scale with the company and challenge your thinking.
• Make tough calls on priorities, resource allocation, and partnerships while maintaining a hands-on presence in critical operational moments.
• Embed a culture of integrity, honesty, and accountability from the boardroom to the field, especially during periods of pressure or uncertainty.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Proven founder or C-suite track record: you have founded and/or led a company or startup at the highest level, with real accountability for performance and people.
• Genuine passion for improving farmer livelihoods and advancing sustainable agriculture, backed by professional experience or consistently demonstrated personal choices.
• A strong results orientation with evidence of delivering strong operational and commercial outcomes in previous roles.
• Willingness and ability to make a long-term commitment, with a clear vision for growing the company and eventually reaching a successful exit.
• Experience building and directly managing a team of more than 10 people, including recruiting your own senior leadership.
• Values-driven decision-making: you prioritise honesty and integrity even when the going gets tough, and you hold others to the same standard.
• Comfort with uncertainty and a fast learning curve: you can stay calm, adapt quickly, and keep a hands-on attitude as the company evolves.

What We Offer / Why Join

• Stock options in the company you will lead, aligning your long-term success with the business outcome.
• The chance to work alongside a driven, impact-oriented, and genuinely fun team committed to making farming more sustainable.
• Access to specialist support across venture building, fundraising, team management, and strategy setting so you can move faster and avoid common pitfalls.