View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Associate - Advanced Manufacturing and UN Trade

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

Main purpose of job:

The Department for International Trade is the United Kingdom Government’s international business development agency.  DIT is charged with transatlantic trade development between the UK and the US, and with assisting US companies looking to invest in the UK. (See www.gov.uk/dit for further information.)

Department for International Trade staff in the United States work closely with headquarters colleagues in London, together with representatives of the three Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and other departmental agencies in the UK. DIT aims to drive transatlantic trade and foreign investment into the UK.  Made up of 156 members of staff in 9 US offices, this is a dynamic team, with geographical and sector focuses. The Trade & Investment Associate will report to the Trade & Investment Officer for Advanced Manufacturing and UN Procurement in the New York office.

The Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing sector spans several industries including: Aerospace, Automotive, Food & Drink, Agri-Tech, Chemicals, Space, Security, and UN Procurement.

The Trade and Investment Associate (TIA) will support the New York Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing team to ensure delivery against national and regional targets for the Northeast of the United States. The TIA will support UK companies across sectors looking to access the UN Procurement market as well as UK security companies looking to export to the buyers in the Northeast of the US. Additionally, the Trade and Investment Associate will support foreign direct investment for US manufacturing companies into the UK. To do this, the Trade and Investment Associate will attend conferences, support in the planning of trade roadshows/missions, events and support VIP visit programs. 

The ideal candidate will be a team player that is able to work effectively with colleagues based in New York, across North America and in the UK. The position also requires a strong attention to detail as you will be working with a number of stakeholders across a number of subsectors that are managed by the Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing team.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Proactively identify companies within the sector that would be interested in setting up or expanding their operations in the UK; make initial contact, organize visit programs and schedule company meetings for the Trade & Investment Officer. Attend meetings where appropriate and assist in the management of client relationships.
  • Conduct research and compile reports on industry developments, best routes to market and potential US business partners for UK companies looking to enter the US market or working with the United Nations.
  • Develop, maintain, and disseminate knowledge of developments, trends, and opportunities in the US and the UK.
  • Develop a working knowledge of the US Security and Cyber Security markets, especially in New York City.
  • Maintain client relationship management records, lists of key industry contacts and other data.
  • Provide operational and administrative support to the Trade and Investment Officer, and to the wider team as and when required.
  • Ability to use a variety of online and social media tools.
  • Liaise with internal teams, and external contacts at an executive level, including cold calls and networking at events.
  • Support incoming trade missions, networking receptions, visit programs, plan company meetings and introductions and research/produce market reports.
  • Support the Trade and Investment Officer in assisting UK companies in developing their market entry strategy and support UK companies already active in Aid-Funded Business in the US market.  
  • 1-3 years of relevant professional experience;
  • Strong client management experience and/or project management experience;
  • Proactive, self-starting approach to work; ability to problem solve, organize, prioritize and manage tasks in a deadline sensitive, fast-paced environment;
  • Ability to communicate with companies/organizations effectively and credibly at a senior level, and a proven track record of fostering business relationships;
  • Excellent research and writing skills, with an ability to provide clear, concise summaries and to respond to ad hoc requests at short notice;
  • Understanding of the business environments in the UK and US, and the factors companies consider when expanding internationally;
  • 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;
  • Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas. 
  • Professional experience in international business;
  • Knowledge of the food &drink, UN Procurement and/or defence and security sectors in the US and/or UK;
  • Sound knowledge of the UK’s investment proposition, especially regarding incorporation, tax, employment, R&D, and skills.
Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
19 May 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York
British Consulate General
1
USD
$28.28
11 July 2022

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Working patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week. Working hours can be flexible around base office hours Monday – Friday 9.00 – 5:30.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.