View Vacancy - Head of Trade HEO (IRL22.434)
Why should you apply?
The British Embassy in Dublin is part of a world-wide network, representing UK political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now seeking to recruit a Head of Trade Services to lead on designing and implementing the DIT Ireland Trade strategy in line with the DIT Europe approach and localising it for the Ireland market.
What will be your key responsibilities?
- Lead on design and delivery of trade services across DIT Ireland, leading to strong pipelines of export wins for UK companies securing business deals in Ireland that is in line with DIT Europe campaign priorities
- Lead and manage a direct team of 3 trade advisors ensuring appropriate resourcing aligned with priority opportunities identified by team in Ireland
- Champion and drive UK sourcing across all key industry sectors in Ireland mindful of market access challenges and barriers that Irish companies and UK exporters may face and that require sensitive handling
- Proactively source and service UK company market entry and expansion enquiries, ensuring team equipped to successful deal with complex enquiries, handle volume support and ensuring integrated delivery with DIT Europe Export Support Service and with DIT Europe Trade Hub
- Lead and support team on attainment of challenging targets and export metrics team working locally and nationally with DIT Europe, UK HQ and globally with other markets as appropriate
- Lead on the establishment and embedding of strategic account management systems for key major corporate buyers in Ireland and develop effective contact networks across whole team
- Proactively explore and secure commercial partnership opportunities with public and private stakeholders, engaging collaboratively to promote promotion of increased trade between UK and Ireland
- Lead team in opportunity horizon scanning to ensure live opportunities for UK companies are regularly scouted and pursued and promoted via targeted campaigns
- Lead on overseas direct investment, actively supporting UK companies expanding into Ireland and establishing branch operations and maintaining an effective account management approach with those companies already in-market
- Encourage and support team’s professional development and growth in line with DIT people plan, ensuring they have access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities
- Manage effective coordination across team on handling complex business enquiries, ensuring close collaboration and engagement with trade policy and market access team
- Champion business intelligence sourcing and gathering in team’s interactions with clients and ensure feedback into market access, trade policy and wider Embassy and DIT networks
- Play an active role across DIT Europe in supporting delivery of core campaigns including Clean Growth and Tech as well as other priorities that arise throughout
- Ensure value for money delivery and that budget implications and approvals for the trade team expenses and activities align with best finance practice and standards
- Lead on communication and engagement for trade services, showcasing both the opportunities present in Ireland for UK companies as well as trade activities undertaken
All L&D required on FCDO/UK government standards and systems will be provided. The Embassy is committed to a strong Learning and Development culture, and provides opportunities for staff to invest in their personal and professional development
DIT offers a range of courses under its own L & D portal which job holders are encouraged to complete
Our ideal candidate shows:
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral) in English (minimum C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages*)
- Graduate business degree or equivalent working experience
- A minimum of 3 years business development/account management experience, especially in a trade promotion environment generating business leads and with proven success in converting business leads to business wins
- Relationship management and stakeholder engagement experience working with a range of partners to help businesses succeed
- Sound understanding and knowledge of the Irish economy and opportunities for increased trade between the UK and Ireland
- Sound judgement and experience of working in sensitive political environments
- Excellent communication and presentation skills: written and oral
It will be a plus:
- More than 3 business development/account management experience, especially in a trade promotion environment business leads and with proven success in converting business leads to business wins
- Experience of working in governmental/not for profit development bodies promoting trade services
- Experience of account management in a relevant sector- Life Sciences, Infrastructure, Engineering, ICT
- Strong professional network of established contacts in key opportunity sectors in Ireland
The successful candidate will be subject to a six-month probationary period and will be employed on a fixed-term contract basis for two years with the possibility of renewal. The appointment is subject to satisfactory reference and security checks.
All L&D required on FCDO/UK government standards and systems will be provided. The Embassy is committed to a strong Learning and Development culture, and provides opportunities for staff to invest in their personal and professional development. The Comms digital network in particular has a strong L&D offering with frequent opportunities to upskill.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Ireland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Irish employment law.
Other benefits of this job offer:
- Membership of Defined Contribution Pension Plan;
- €1,000 contribution to LAYA Healthcare;
- 22 days annual leave;
- Learning and Development opportunities.
Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Ireland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
* Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
Please be advised 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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.