View Vacancy - Vice Consul / Trade & Investment Officer (Technology & Creative)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government’s international business development agency. DIT USA, working closely with DIT and other agencies in the United Kingdom, is charged with transatlantic trade development between the UK and the US; and with assisting US companies looking to invest in the UK. See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information.

The Trade & Investment officer will be responsible for developing strong relationships with C-level executives in companies in the Technology and Creative sectors across the Chicago consular region (the states of CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, MN, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI) that are either currently invested in the UK or poised for international expansion. The Officer will also aid Technology and Creative focused UK exporters, with market entry support into the Chicago consular region.

Reporting to the Head of Trade & Investment in Chicago, the position presents a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team comprised of 15 trade and investment professionals focused on knowledge-based sectors including: financial services, life sciences, clean tech, advanced engineering, food & drink and retail.

The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of enterprise software, fast growth start-ups, cyber security, artificial intelligence, data management and analytics, cloud computing, and electronic systems as well as marketing and advertising. Some familiarisation with telecommunications, mobile apps, and entertainment technologies is desirable but not a necessity.

• Deliver an aggressive set of annual trade and investment targets.

• Forge strong relationships with business leaders (start-ups through Fortune 500), trade associations, technology incubators/accelerators and interlocutors.

• FDI: Provide assistance to US technology & creative companies looking to invest in the UK and support US companies already active in the UK market, with a focus on technology sectors that include fast-growth software companies, hardware and telecommunications. With a particular focus on the markets of Chicago, Denver/Boulder and the Twin Cities, build an active client pipeline by executing lead generation, developing and managing relationships with C-level executives and business leaders. Gather intelligence from US investors on the UK business environment, BREXIT and related policies.

• UK Exports: Provide advice, support and guidance to UK firms seeking to establish or expand exports in the Chicago consular region. Facilitate activities, such as trade missions and matchmaking events, designed to build the UK brand and grow UK technology & creative exports.

• Feed in concerns exporters and UK companies established in the Chicago consular region might have related to market access barriers and evolving trade policies.

• Participate in the activities and events conducted by industry associations and other multipliers, building awareness of DIT in the business community and serving as a point of contact for UK market information.

• Develop, position and implement marketing strategies, conceive and develop DIT activities, and produce and manage events with the goals of increasing awareness of the UK’s market proposition to potential investors, building relationships, and generating FDI leads.

• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high level/VIP visit programs and manage cross-Consulate activities that capitalise on the extensive synergies that exist between the Chicago consular region and the UK, and help advance key UK technology & creative campaigns. This will include: compiling visit programs, planning company meetings, and writing briefing materials.

• Represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.

• Maintain current knowledge of UK market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence in the technology & creative sectors in order to promote them effectively to a US audience.

• Monitor US market trends and identify business opportunities for UK companies in the Chicago consular region, in particular the markets of Chicago, Denver/Boulder and the Twin Cities.

• Undertake occasional travel to the UK.

• Line management of one Associate and close collaboration with others.

Resources Managed:

One Trade & Investment Associate (TIA) and a budget for travel and representation.

Language:

Fluent in English. Oral and Written.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field;

• 6-8 years of relevant work experience and/or business development experience in the US and, ideally, the UK;

• Strong client management experience (5 years plus)

• Experience/knowledge of the UK's investment proposition and business environment;

• Ability to be proactive, organized and work to deadlines, prioritize and multi-task;

• A self-starter, able to work independently and show initiative with limited day-to-day supervision while operating as part of a wider team with shared goals and wide-ranging objectives;

• Strong networking skills;

• Line management experience;

• A demonstrable track record of achievement;

• Computer literacy in standard Microsoft applications;

• Driving license and ability to undertake occasional air travel including overnight stays.

• Able to be located in/relocated to, the Chicago area.
• Have knowledge of the Midwest tech & creative ecosystems, and major companies/players/partners.
• Be willing to undertake occasional travel to the UK.
• Be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements (both during working hours and evenings).

The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of enterprise software, fast growth start-ups, cyber security, artificial intelligence, data management and analytics, cloud computing, and electronic systems as well as marketing and advertising. A proven track record of 5 or more years of client account management, and the ability to help those clients with their internationalisation plans, is highly preferred.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy Network may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa, you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas.