View Vacancy - Investment Officer

Main purpose of job: 

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government agency charged with securing UK prosperity by promoting transatlantic trade and foreign direct investment and championing free trade.

The DIT Investment team in Canada, working closely with DIT Headquarters, and the Investment Services Team, together with representatives of UK regional agencies and three Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, aim to drive foreign direct investment into the UK from Canadian companies. www.gov.uk/DIT

DIT in Vancouver is seeking an Investment Officer to support the Senior Investment Officer’s delivery work across multiple sectors including Tech and Creative, and to drive investment into the UK from the Clean growth/Low Carbon sector.  The position will be based at the British Consulate in Vancouver and reports to Senior Investment Officer for British Columbia and will work as part of the Consulate team and part of a North American-wide virtual team. 

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

This is a multi-disciplinary role and the successful candidate will be pivoting between administrative duties, research and lead generation, and client/project management. It also provides scope for creativity and working across Science and Innovation and Prosperity teams.

• Research and proactively identify BC-based companies within all sectors that would be interested in setting up or expanding their operations in the UK; make initial contact, schedule company meetings, prepare meeting briefs and organize business development visits for Senior Investment Officer. 
• Attend client meetings where appropriate and assist in the management of client relationships and investment projects, while taking the lead on delivering projects in the Clean growth/Low Carbon sector.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive network of industry and business contacts in the Clean Growth/Low Carbon sector to support business development efforts, leveraging and working with other colleagues, including the Science & Innovation Officer and Consul General.
• Build and maintain expert knowledge of developments and trends in the UK and BC in the Clean Growth/Low Carbon sector to anticipate and address emerging sector opportunities and challenges, and synergies with UK’s Industrial Strategy for Clean Growth. 
• Help organize and execute the delivery of DIT events, provide support with incoming VIP visitor programmes and briefings.  Contribute when necessary to administrative and logistical support for Post-wide events.
• Maintain the client relationship management (CRM) database, lists of key contacts and other data.  Manage administrative tasks such as updating spreadsheets, budget profiling and other similar duties.
• Attend key business and sector events and official functions during and outside of office hours and undertake occasional travel in both North America and the UK

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business administration or international business, or the equivalent experience gained in industry.
• 2-3 years’ work experience in Canada in a professional and client-focused environment, and in particular in a relevant public and/or private sector, economic or business development capacity.
• Direct or relevant industry experience that can be applied in the Clean Growth/Low carbon sector and/or Tech and Creative sectors.
• Knowledge of the business environments in British Columbia. Experience/knowledge of the UK's investment proposition and business environment is preferred.
• Excellent research and writing skills, with an ability to provide clear, concise summaries.
• Ability to communicate with companies/organizations effectively and credibly at a senior level, and a proven track record of fostering business relationships.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, attentiveness to detail and good follow-up discipline.
• Experience and ability to work calmly to deadlines in a target driven environment with competing priorities in an efficient and professional manner. 
• A proactive 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Social Media applications.
• Ability to undertake occasional travel and work outside of regular work hours.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada.