View Vacancy - CPK - Trade and Investment Manager (Invest Northern Ireland)

Based in the British Embassy in Beijing and reporting to the Regional Trade and Investment Manager, the post-holder will support the delivery of Invest Northern Ireland’s market strategy with the ultimate goal to secure trade and investment wins for Northern Ireland. The post-holder will be assigned specific business sectors in which he/she will be responsible for delivering, such as Advance Manufacturing & Engineering, Technology, Life & Health Sciences or Education.

The post-holder will work under the direction of the Regional Manager, arrange business meetings, attend business meetings and assist with the identification of business opportunities for Northern Ireland. The post-holder will undertake market research for Northern Ireland companies, meet with them, prepare meeting schedules, assist them in formulating a strategy to export to the China market and help them to resolve issues.

The post-holder will support the delivery of business events, attend conferences/expo, arrange meetings for Northern Ireland clients, manage logistics plans (including Trade missions, VIP visits, senior official visits from Northern Ireland) and work in partnerships with other stakeholders.

The post-holder will be required to develop positive working relationships with the UK Department of International Trade (in Beijing and other locations), Northern Ireland government representatives and other business organisations, work with others to gather market intelligence and insights, and communicate them. The post-holder will work with the Regional Manager and the wider team on promotional initiatives including social medial campaigns.

The post-holder will maintain data on the internal CRM system, prepare monthly returns and activity reports, and submit them on a timely basis.

The post-holder is expected to undertake travel on a regular basis, either within China, to the UK and also to other countries. The post–holder will also be supporting the wider China and Asia Pacific team as required by the team management. 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

-       Assist with the delivery of an in-market strategy to promote Northern Ireland capability which contributes to the overall goals of the Asia Pacific territory; The post-holder will be assigned specific business sectors in which he/she will be responsible for delivering, such as Advance Manufacturing & Engineering, Technology, Life & Health Sciences or Education.

-       Identify relevant business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies through market intelligence, connections and research;

-       Undertake market research, prepare sector briefings and assist Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales and help to secure investment wins for Northern Ireland;

-       Develop and maintain effective working relationships within the British Embassy, UK Department of International Trade (DIT), Northern Ireland government representatives, a wide range of stakeholders and businesses;

-       Provide in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions, including the arrangement and management of the necessary logistics and protocols;

-       Support business delegations by providing English / Chinese translations in an effective manner as required, as well as translating promotional materials;

-       Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s CRM and management systems. Prepare reports (including activity / performance / market reports) accurately and timely for management and clients;

-       Work effectively and in partnership with wider teams based in China, Asia Pacific, Northern Ireland and other locations. 

-       Educated to degree level ideally in a business or related function;

-       Over 4 years’ working experience in a private or public sector organisation;

-       Experience in undertaking market research, analysing market data, preparing reports, presenting information to clients and helping clients to achieve positive commercial outcomes;

-       A sound commercial knowledge of China and the business opportunities across sectors;

-       Good networking skill, experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships across all levels of businesses;

-       Attention to detail, excellent organisational, IT and administrative skills;

-       Ability to work at pace and independently as part of a remote team;

-       Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).