View Vacancy - Director of International Trade (ESP20.013)
The British Consulate in Barcelona is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and we are seeking to recruit a Director to lead the Department for International Trade (DIT) team at the Consulate.
The successful candidate will lead a team of six trade and investment professionals and be responsible for maximising UK exports to the Catalonia and Aragon regions of Spain, securing high quality investment into the UK and delivering wider commercial objectives including responding to the UK’s exit from the EU.
The Director Barcelona enjoys significant autonomy to set the strategic direction and priorities of the Barcelona team but can also rely on the support of DIT colleagues in the wider Spain network, in the UK and globally.
The Director will form part of the DIT Spain leadership team and will also be expected to play an active role in the wider leadership of British Embassy network in Spain.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the Consulate’s international trade team; setting the strategic vision for the team, prioritising sectors and opportunities, overseeing projects and events, delivering trade and investment targets;
- Maximise UK exports to the region by identifying opportunities in key sectors, promoting these to relevant companies in the UK and supporting those companies to access the opportunity;
- Promote the UK as a destination for investment and attract high quality FDI into the UK from companies in Catalonia and Aragon;
- Support UK companies investing in the region; helping them establish their presence and network and identifying opportunities for growth;
- Relationship manage key exporters, investors and wider stakeholders. Build relationships at all levels up to CEO/President and contribute to virtual account management teams to deliver a quality service and positive results;
- Own and deliver DIT events and manage the UK presence at trade shows, exhibitions and conferences in the region;
- Support and leverage visits to the region by the Ambassador, UK Ministers, senior officials and other key contacts;
- Contribute to the trade aspects of the UK’s exit from the EU: engaging partners, supporting and advising affected companies, escalating local issues, contributing to the wider Embassy network response. Identify, escalate and address market access barriers affecting UK companies;
- Raise the positive profile of the UK in the region, building credibility and influence with key decision makers.
- Play an active role in the management of the DIT Spain and British Embassy in Spain networks;
- Lead on discrete projects or horizontal objectives across DIT Spain and, potentially, DIT Europe;
- Work collaboratively with partners across the UK Government to deliver shared objectives on prosperity, R&D, science and innovation, Industrial Strategy;
- As necessary play an active role in the British Embassy in Spain’s crisis response.
- At least 5 year’s experience in exports, investment or business development (either working in business or in business support);
- Experience setting strategy and managing its delivery;
- Proven ability to deliver high quality advice to companies quickly in a fast moving environment;
- Experience account managing companies;
- Experience of team leadership;
- An experienced networker with the ability to build rapport at all levels internally and externally;
- A team player with a collaborative approach who can work successfully with diverse teams to achieve common objectives;
- A self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, flexibility and ability to work well under pressure;
- Excellent written and verbal English and Spanish.
- Strong knowledge of the UK and/or Spanish business environment;
- A strong network of business contacts;
- Experience promoting trade and investment in a Government or similar context;
- Knowledge of one or more industry sectors;
- A recognised qualification in Programme / Project Management;
- An understanding of trade policy and the role government plays in international trade;
- Excellent written and verbal Catalan.
This is a full-time permanent contract. The working hours are 37.5 hours per week.
The successful candidate is subject to a confirmation of a background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Spanish Social Security Scheme and will therefore not be entitled to any gratuity from the Embassy based on gross annual salary.
The Embassy is a Diplomatic Mission with tax exempt status and does not collect taxes for other States. Employees are fully responsible for payment of income tax at the legally required rate. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Spain are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Spanish employment law.
Visa / Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Spain and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Additional requirements may become necessary pending EU Exit. If requirements change additional eligibility information will be shared during the recruitment process.
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.
FCO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
