Job vacancies

CLA career opportunities

Vacancies at the CLA come up from time to time.

Join us to unlock the potential of the rural economy by promoting innovative ideas to a national audience and providing practical support to members. In doing this we help our members can feed the country, create jobs and prosperity, invest in communities and protect the environment for future generations.

If you would like to see a detail job description and person specification or have any questions about our vacancies or our application process, please email recruitment@cla.org.uk.

We would love to hear from applicants from a wide range of career backgrounds and experience: we believe that greater diversity can only strengthen us as a team.

All current vacancies with the CLA are listed below.

CLA Board Member

Find out about this role

The CLA is seeking up to three exceptional people to join its Board at a pivotal moment for our Association and the rural economy. More than a governance role, it offers a chance to influence strategy, challenge thinking and steer the CLA through a period of change and opportunity.

Are you motivated by making a meaningful impact? Do you have the experience and insight to ensure the CLA delivers real value for its members? If so, we would love to hear from you.

The environment in which we operate is shifting. Policy and political reform are reshaping the rural landscape. Innovation is opening new possibilities. Member demographics and expectations are evolving. Strong governance, strategic clarity and confident leadership have never been more important.

As a Board member, you will:

• Contribute to defining the CLA’s long-term strategic direction

• Provide independent oversight and constructive challenge

• Hold the executive leadership to account in delivering the CLA’s corporate plan

• Position the CLA to thrive amid uncertainty and opportunity.

The Board meets four times a year. This is an unpaid voluntary position, with expenses reimbursed CLA Board members and staff in line with CLA guidelines. The appointment is for a three-year term (renewable). New directors will attend their first Board meeting in autumn 2026.

We welcome candidates who will bring:

• Independent thinking and external perspective

• Strategic insight grounded in real world experience

• Confidence to ask difficult questions

• Commitment to the rural economy and the communities it supports.

We are particularly interested in those who have expertise in:

Investments – financial oversight, asset management, investment strategy or portfolio governance

Technology – digital transformation, data strategy, AI, systems modernisation or technology-led innovation

Organisational design and development – leading change, improving performance, building resilient structures and high performing teams.

No previous board experience is required, but judgment, integrity and expertise are important. For an informal chat about the role, please speak to your CLA Regional Director or contact the Board Chair, Joe Evans directly joe.evans@cla.org.uk

How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a one-page expression of interest outlining why you are interested in joining the CLA Board, and what experience, skills and perspective you would bring, to lisa.hofford@cla.org.uk

Application deadline: Saturday 30th May

File name:
Board_Member_RD_-_April_2026_1.pdf
File type:
PDF
File size:
111.7 KB

CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) - Trustee

Find out about this role

Location: Travel to London up to 4 times a year

Term: Three years with a possible further term of three years.

Salary: Voluntary, unpaid position - expenses are covered

Trustee Opportunity

Are you a CLA member and want to be part of a charity which is dedicated to helping those who are disabled or disadvantaged to visit and participate in learning experiences about the countryside?

The CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) is looking to recruit two new trustees in response to trustee retirement. We want to ensure that our Trustees reflect the diversity of those who we support and so we particularly welcome interest and applications from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. This could be your first Trustee role, or you could already have some experience as a Trustee. Training will be provided if required.

This is a voluntary, unpaid position; however, reasonable and qualified expenses are covered.

What is the CLACT?

The CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT) was founded in 1980 with the objects of:

• Advancing through financial support of charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises, which are delivering access, recreational and educational opportunities within and about the countryside.

• Promoting and encouraging education in sustainable farming, food production and rural land management.

The Trust makes grants to non-profit organisations across England and Wales and provides a small number of scholarships to students at Harper Adams University and Aberystwyth University.

In 2025, the trust made 58 grants totalling £265,795.

Role of a Trustee

The successful appointees will play a key and determined role in helping to advise, govern, oversee the strategic direction, and award grants for the charity.

Trustees will:

• Assess and decide on grants to be awarded to charities and community groups.

• Attend four board meetings each year – three grant-making meetings and one governance meeting. (These are held in-person in Central London.)

• Enthusiastically and enjoyably take all opportunities to promote the work of the CLACT and communicate its achievements with CLA members.

• Encourage and support diversity of beneficiaries throughout England and Wales.

• Have specific skills and experience in some of the following areas:

  • Financial management and accounting; charities; governance; grant making; education; digital strategy and utilising new technologies.

• Develop an understanding of the needs of grantees seeking funds by attending occasional visits to organisations.

• Ensure excellent governance including effective management and monitoring controls, reduction of risk and compliance with charity law.

We are looking for

The Trust is looking for current CLA Members who can demonstrate the following:

• Enthusiasm for, and passion and determination, to advance and support the work that the Trust does.

• Interest in the fields of work that the CLACT’s objects support.

• Strong analytical skills, judgment and decision-making.

• Marketing and communication skills to promote and communicate with our member donors.

• Knowledge of charity and not-for-profit legislation.

Application Process

• Submission of a CV and a covering letter (outlining how you meet the criteria and highlighting what personal qualities you will bring as a Trustee) to

• Interviews will be held online via Teams in late June / early July.

• Successful applicants should, ideally, be available to attend the next trustee meeting on Tuesday 6th October.

• If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Nina who can discuss further or arrange an informal chat with a current trustee.

For further information about the CLACT please see https://www.cla.org.uk/about-cla/charitable-trust/

Director of Marketing & Commercial

Find out about this role

We’re seeking a Director of Marketing & Commercial to join the Executive Team, reporting to the CEO. This senior role will lead marketing, partnerships, sponsorships, and non-subscription income, with a focus on strengthening commercial performance and capability.

The successful candidate will shape and deliver a strategy aligned to organisational priorities, drive revenue growth, and maximise the value of members, platforms, and partnerships, while embedding a more data-driven, insight-led approach across marketing and commercial activity.

To apply and find out more, please visit the following link:

Director of Marketing and Commercial, CLA

Rural Adviser / Surveyor - North England

Find out about this role

We’re seeking a Rural Adviser / Surveyor to provide high‑quality advice to members and play a key role in policy development across land use, rural economic matters, and farming systems.

Working closely with the CLA policy team, you will support landowners, farmers and rural businesses on topics including uplands agriculture, planning, tenancies, diversification, and property management. You will also represent the CLA at stakeholder meetings, consultations, and speaking engagements across the region.

To apply and find out more, please visit the following link:

Rural Adviser / Surveyor – North England, CLA

What are the benefits of working for the CLA?

The CLA offers its staff a large number of benefits for all their staff which includes;

  • 25 days holiday, increasing to 27 after 2 years' service, and 30 days after 3 years' service
  • Birthday Leave - a day off for your birthday
  • Employer's pension contribution of up to 10% of salary
  • Access to a private 24-hour GP service
  • Workplace benefits such as payment of flu vaccinationnd option for Payroll Giving
  • Access to an online wellness portal, including Employees Assistance Programme, exercise tutorials, nutritious recipes and financial wellbeing
  • Discount offers at over 800 retailers, including groceries, fashion and tech
  • Flexible working policy of home working up to 2 days a week, if your role enables you to.

Download the CLA's recruitment data policy here.