View Vacancy - SH - Midlands Engine Infrastructure & Clean Growth Investment Manager, C4(L)

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

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join DIT’s Infrastructure & Energy sector team. You will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (China & Hong Kong) achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, in particular broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

Context

The Department for International Trade (DIT) operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade and investment to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.

DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.

Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan. DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

Detail

You will lead on promoting investment in Infrastructure and Clean Growth into the Midlands Engine (ME) region while having regard to the ‘UK First’ principle. This forms part of the UK government’s agenda to increase trade and investment support in the UK regions. Your focus will be on attracting foreign direct investment into Infrastructure and Clean Growth including urban regeneration, the clean energy transition (including renewables and hydrogen) and transport (including rail).

You will work closely with the ME Investment Hub, DIT Infrastructure and Energy sector teams, regional specialists, IST (Investment Services Team), DIT Capital Investment Team and local partners to achieve this.

You will build ME’s reputation for technology and innovation alongside local and regional colleagues and develop a programme of activity to enhance the perception of ME as a place to invest and do business with. You will build relationships with senior investors, opinion formers and policy makers. You will rapidly develop and maintain a specialist understanding in the ME’s development plans and investment offer covering infrastructure regeneration, clean energy transition and transport (including rail).

You will be comfortable in agreeing direction and strategy with a senior leadership team at regular milestones while driving forward delivery independently. You will be confident in engaging C-suite business people and senior government officials. You will be able to flex your approach to work with post-revenue start-ups, SMEs, trade associations, Chinese MNCs, academics and policy makers.

You will be mobile to engage investors and colleagues across China and complement existing DIT resources in country. You will be expected to travel to the ME for training and business trips (including accompanying Chinese delegations) when international travel and quarantine restrictions become practicable.

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

Midlands Engine (ME) Investment Proposition & Marketing

• Work with the ME team to develop and maintain a compelling proposition on why Chinese investors should choose the Midlands to invest in infrastructure and clean growth, along with a portfolio of investment opportunities in the Midlands suitable for Chinese investors.

• Work with DIT MarComms team to plan, deliver and monitor targeted campaigns to promote the ME sector proposition and investment portfolio by developing marketing materials and promoting via relevant channels.

• Ensure ME investment proposition and investment opportunities are fed into wider investment campaigns being run in China which are relevant to the strengths of ME.

Investor Relationship Management

• Identify and build senior-level relationships with new potential investors, with a geographic focus on (but not limited to) Tier 1 and 2 cities in East and Central China including Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hubei etc.

• Build capacity within the DIT China Infrastructure & Energy sector team to ensure relevant ME sector propositions and investment opportunities are presented as options to potential investors across China.

• Collaborate across the entire team and act as on-the-ground regional expert to support investments which require ME input, including the energy investment lead on energy transition and rail sector team on UK future transportation strategies.

Investment Promotion Activity

• Work with ME team to plan and execute investment promotion activities, such as roundtables/seminars in China and inward missions of Chinese investors to the Midlands/UK (both online/offline) to promote investment opportunities in ME. Collaborate with the DIT China Infrastructure & Energy team to promote activities to investors they already work with.

• Plan and execute outbound missions to China by ME government/company leaders to meet investors and local Chinese government officials.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

• ME-China stakeholder management including maximising regional partnerships and sister city links e.g. Nottingham-Ningbo, Leicestershire – Sichuan, Leicester – Chongqing, etc.

• Set up a business network of Midlanders working locally who can help to champion the region’s strengths.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with ME Investment Hub, regional sector specialists, DIT Sector colleagues and specialists, regional partners including Midlands rail clusters, DIT Capital Investment Team, the Investment Services Team (IST) and colleagues at post.

• Provide a monthly update to ME Investment Hub on activity to ensure alignment with local ambitions and targeted local support.

• Provide DIT sector specialists, UK Regions colleagues and local partners with in-country support including (but not limited to): contributing to briefing and reporting as required, facilitating official programmes, webinars and events, connecting visitors with senior stakeholders in market. Contribute to wider Embassy reporting.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The post-holder is not required to line manage staff. The post-holder will be required to manage and deliver specific projects and events, including leading matrix teams and managing a fixed annual budget.

The post-holder will be expected to make decisions delegated to him/her by ME and DIT China management, and act within HMG’s China Network’s and DIT’s policies and guidelines.

Essential on arrival:

  • Knowledge of Infrastructure and Energy sectors.  
  • Minimum 5 years’ commercial experience.
  • Team player who can work on their own initiative and across virtual teams.
  • Good interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of colleagues.
  • Cultural awareness and functional knowledge of the local business environment.
  • Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in the public and private sector.
  • High-quality day-to-day data management.
  • Ability to draft succinct reports and provide briefing for generalist and specialist audiences, including for ministers, often to very tight deadlines. Knowledge of Automotive and Rail sectors.

  • Knowledge of ME/UK investment landscape and priorities.
  • Knowledge of ME/UK Infrastructure & Energy sector strengths. 
  • Previous experience of working with the UK Government and understanding of ME political landscape and/or experience of working with local partners.
  • An understanding of international business or trade practice.
1 March 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Asia Pacific
China
Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
CNY
Chinese: CNY 29,488 ; British: CNY 38,425
30 April 2021
28 April 2023

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 29,488/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 38,425/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Learning and development opportunities(and any specific training courses to be completed):

There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their trade professionalism. 

In addition, opportunities and activities include:

  • Courses and learning modules offered through the International Trade Profession and Diplomatic Academy.
  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc.
  • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, effective remote working and trade policy.
  • Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
  • An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local employment law. 

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.

The Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

  • The jobholder will be required to travel within China to develop new relationships with potential investors (focus on East and Central China), and to meet with colleagues and existing investors (across mainland China).
  • Once international travel is safe and possible without restrictions, you will be invited to take part in job induction training in the UK (up to one month). Under normal international travel conditions you would be expected to travel to the UK several times a year for short (1-2 week) business trips.

This position is being advertised as a 24 months fixed-term position in Beijing, and will be extended subject to performance and availability of funding. 


External Expatriate Candidates


Due to the local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict travel restrictions, we are unable to accept applications from external expatriates. The British Embassy and Consulate Generals will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates in future job opportunities.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

REMINDER: 

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.


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This opportunity is closed to applications.