View Vacancy - Senior Trade and Investment Officer – Financial and Professional Services - Toronto

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

Main purpose of job:


Be part of the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) mission to drive more investment between Canada and the UK. With a mature, high spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK is also the world’s sixth largest exporter and the second largest services exporter. See www.gov.uk/dit for further information.
We employ over 150 people across North America, all united by our vision of a future where we champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in the UK and around the world.  We seek talented team members with the passion and drive to help us in our mission to build a global appetite for British goods and services; drive investment; negotiate trade deals and open up markets; improve international trading standards and fight unfair trading practices.

Based at British Consulate General in Toronto the Senior Trade and Investment Officer for Financial and Professional Services sector will proactively identify export opportunities to Canada for market ready UK companies predominantly in the Fintech and Professional Services sectors and work with companies from Canada seeking to launch into, or expand in, the UK market. You will be part of the North America team and you will play a key role as an account manager to these firms, some of which are the most important investors in the UK within the sector. This involves frequent engagement with key decision-makers and proactive work to identify and cultivate potential new investment opportunities for Canadian companies. You will also be a valued contributor to the Toronto based regional team and work closely with colleagues based around the UK.


Roles and responsibilities:

•    Provide a comprehensive account management service to key Canada prospects in the financial and professional services and insurance sectors looking to maintain or grow their footprint in the UK. Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and investment to the UK.
•    Assist high-growth and innovative UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the UK’s leading Fintechs, as well as established British businesses to develop Canadian market entry strategies and / or grow Canadian market share; and support established British companies in-market to address any concerns around Canadian trade policy or market access barriers.
•    Deliver a challenging set of annual trade and investment targets.
•    Develop expertise on relevant sectors including: banking, insurance, fintech and crypto.
•    Support positive relationships with Canada and UK business leaders, from start-ups through F500, as well as trade associations, regional financial and professional services providers and other key buyers/partners within the financial and professional services industries 
•    Develop and implement high impact, targeted marketing programs and events in conjunction with stakeholder partners to build our brand awareness, promote key messaging, and showcase UK competitiveness in the financial and professional services industries.  
•    Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders. 
•    Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting round tables, trade missions and matchmaking events, seminars and supporting VIP visit programs.  
•    Support cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
•    Represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
•    Assist in a consular crisis, if required.
•    Other duties as assigned.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

•    Some budget management responsibility.

•    Demonstrated experience in an economic development, financial services or business development role. 
•    Thorough knowledge of the financial and professional services industry, major companies and trends in Canada - and prefereably in the UK.
•    Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
•    Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills. 
•    Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results. 
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
•    Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. 
•    Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling.
•    An understanding of the UK's investment proposition and business environment. 
•    Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications. 
•    Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time. 

Language requirements: 

Language: English 

Level of language required: Must be fluent in English, both written and verbal. 

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada

•    An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy preferred.
Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
13 February 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Canada
Toronto
British Consulate General
1
CAD
CAD $ 84,346.64 yearly
6 April 2023

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

The British Embassy and its Canada Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate. As a valued member of our team we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

Post holder must:

•    Be able to be located in/relocate to the Toronto area.
•    Be willing to undertake occasional travel in North America and to the UK.
•    Be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions (during working hours and evenings).

Working patterns:

This role is 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday.
The British Embassy and its Canada Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.