View Vacancy - HK - Regional Director, Trade & Investment (Hong Kong, Macau and South China, Invest Northern Ireland) D6(L)

Main purpose of job:

Based in the British Consulate in Hong Kong, and embedded within the offices of the Department for International Trade (DIT), the post-holder will lead a small team and represent Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) in Hong Kong, Macau and South China. Reporting to the Head of Asia Pacific (based in Shanghai), the post-holder will be Invest NI’s key representative in their region, responsible for developing and delivering an agreed market strategy with the ultimate goal of securing trade and investment wins for Northern Ireland. The primary focus of the position will be:

Trade development across all key business sectors, helping Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales to the region;

The promotion of Northern Ireland as a location for inward investment and infrastructure investment; and

To raise Northern Ireland’s profile for business and education purposes.

When carrying out his / her work, the post-holder will be required to forge effective working relationships with a wide range of businesses, our strategic partners, Department for International Trade (DIT), Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO),  the British Council and other UK stakeholders, as well as senior officials and government and business representative organisations across Hong Kong, Macau, South China and Northern Ireland.

The post-holder will develop and co-ordinate targeted activities such as marketing, promotional events and exhibitions and represent Invest NI  at business conferences and speak at events as needed.  Outputs and outcomes activity reports will be submitted monthly to the Head of Asia Pacific.  Invest NI clients are primarily businesses and education establishments and the post-holder will undertake research and prepare reports and meeting programmes and provide advice to them about doing business in the region. The post-holder will be required to monitor expenditure and deliver activities within a pre-allocated budget. The post holder will also work closely with the wider Invest NI teams based in its Belfast headquarters, the Asia Pacific region and other locations.

The post-holder is expected to undertake travel on a regular basis, either within South China, Asia Pacific or to the UK and other countries as required.

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

• Implement an agreed market strategy covering Hong Kong, Macau and the South China region to promote Northern Ireland, help Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales and to secure investment wins for Northern Ireland;
• Proactively identify relevant business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies through market intelligence, connections and research and promote the Northern Ireland capability to key decision makers;
• Develop strong C-level relationships with targeted companies, government, stakeholders and influencers in the region and enable Northern Ireland companies and education providers to engage with them;
• Meet regularly with British and Irish Consul Generals and where appropriate work on joint planning and delivery of events;
• Support Northern Ireland companies interested in the region by providing information they require to make informed business decisions by handling market research and assessment enquiries, conducting visits and setting up appointments and writing appropriate reports;
• Oversee and manage in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions;
• Manage VIP (including Ministerial delegations) visit programme and arrange all necessary logistics and protocols;
• Engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders based in Northern Ireland to provide market and sector briefings and to ensure that activity in the market aligns with corporate plans;
• Develop network of NI ex-pats living/working in region and work with NI Connections to lever economic returns to Northern Ireland;
• Manage a small team (currently one other member of staff based in Guangzhou) and work effectively in partnership with wider teams based in Asia Pacific, Northern Ireland and other locations;
• Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate an recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s CRM and management systems.

Resources managed:

• The post-holder will manage a small team (currently one other member of staff based in Guangzhou) and work effectively in partnership with wider teams based in Asia Pacific, Northern Ireland and other locations;
• The post-holder will manage a pre-allocated budget with the Head of Asia Pacific, monitor expenditure and perform various reporting. The post-holder will be expected to make decisions delegated to him/her by the Head of Asia Pacific, and act within Invest Northern Ireland policies and guidelines.

For more information about Invest Northern Ireland you can visit their website: https://www.investni.com/

This position is open to Hong Kong citizens, permanent residents, and partners/dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Hong Kong. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Candidates must have or be able to obtain work authorisation for Hong Kong in order to apply.

• Educated to degree level ideally in a business or related function;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint);
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in private or public sector organisation;
• Excellent communication, interpersonal & organisational skills;
• Experience in analysing information and preparation of reports;