View Vacancy - Head of Sector for Energy, Environment and Infrastructure

Main purpose of job:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government department charged with securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade. In the United States, DIT works closely with other UK agencies, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), to:

• promote British trade and investment across the world
• build the global appetite for British goods and services
• break down barriers to trade and investment in order to help businesses succeed
• support the development of a new trade policy framework for the UK as it leaves the EU

The post advertised is for DIT-USA’s Head of Sector (HoS) for Energy, Environment and Infrastructure. The HoS will be based at the British Consulate General in Houston, reporting to the Head of Trade & Investment in Houston. S/he will lead DIT- USA’s Energy, Environment & Infrastructure team of approximately 10 people across the United States, directly managing a Trade & Investment Associate in Houston.

The successful applicant will be responsible for developing and delivering the UK’s investment and trade promotion strategy for Energy, Environment and Infrastructure in North America, providing thought leadership in the sector, and influencing UK trade policy as it relates to the sector. S/he will guide and mentor the team, lead business planning, secure and deploy resources, and develop and manage external partnerships with private industry and stakeholders. In the southwestern United States, the successful candidate will work with existing investors, identify and attract new investors, and support UK companies who export to the US. The successful candidate will be required to attend official functions outside of office hours, and undertake travel (US and UK) approximately 10-20% of the time.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

• Negotiate and oversee the delivery of targets for the Energy, Environment and Infrastructure sector, and ensure the success of the U.S. team.
• Forge strong relationships with U.S. and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key partners.
• Provide thought leadership for the sector within the UK Government, and seek to influence trade policy in the UK as it relates to the sector.
• Provide comprehensive account management to U.S prospects looking to invest in the UK, and support U.S. companies already active in the UK to maintain/grow their footprint. Build and manage a pipeline of high value, knowledge-driven projects.
• Develop, position and implement marketing strategies, conceive and develop activities, and produce events with the goals of generating FDI leads, building relationships, and highlighting the strengths of the UK’s market proposition to potential investors.
• Work to support UK prosperity and economic growth, and UK trade policy objectives, in collaboration with other UK government agencies. Showcase the benefits of the UK/US economic relationship to external audiences.
• Facilitate U.S. export growth by delivering business development activities to support innovative UK companies, including trade missions and campaigns at industry conferences.
• Manage and/or support visits by senior government officials by securing high-level meetings, organizing activities, and preparing briefing materials.
• Maintain current knowledge of market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence in both the U.S. and the UK. Promote UK strengths effectively to a U.S. audience.
• Represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
• Undertake regular travel in the U.S. and occasional travel overseas (approximately 10-20% of the time).
• Line manage 1 Trade & Investment Associate.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

1 Trade & Investment Associate; activity and travel budgets vary.

Essential on arrival:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• 7+ years of relevant professional experience, either in international business or in a field related to the sector, preferably both.
• Ability to effectively and credibly deal with companies and organizations at a senior level, with a proven record of fostering business relationships and a demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Solid understanding of both the US and the UK business environments.
• Clear motivation and personal commitment to meeting challenging targets with a demonstrable track record of achievement. Proactive, self-starting approach to work; ability to deliver effectively under limited day-to-day supervision in a deadline sensitive, fast-paced environment.
• Strong client management and project management experience.
• Excellent research and writing skills, with an ability to provide clear, concise summaries and to respond to ad hoc requests at short notice.
• Strong networking skills.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications and client relationship management software.
• Valid driver’s license and passport; the ability to attend official functions outside of office hours; and the ability to undertake domestic and international air travel, including overnight stays.

Language requirements: English (fluent, written and spoken)