View Vacancy - Trade & Investment Officer – Financial Services and Markets

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

About the Department for International Trade in North America

You will join the Department for International Trade which promotes exports to the North American continent of British goods and services, two way investment between the UK and North America, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade. (See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information).

Within British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates across North America, the Department for International Trade has 150+ members of staff spread across 14 locations, forming a dynamic team that focuses on various sectors including advanced engineering, technology, financial services, life sciences, food & drink, retail and energy & environment. The North America team works closely with our Headquarters teams in London, regional and local colleagues, representatives of the three Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with a key objective of driving transatlantic trade and foreign investment into the UK.  This is an exciting time to work for the Department for International Trade (DIT). Our mission is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together export promotion, investment attraction and market access policy work to break down barriers to trade and investment to help businesses succeed.

This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.

Main Purpose of Role:

This is a challenging and rewarding job that is part of DIT’s Financial and Professional Services team in New York. Alongside our Sector Director for Financial and Professional Services, this role acts as DIT’s primary liaison with the banking, funds, and asset management community in New York for the purpose of increasing UK-US trade & investment. In this capacity, the jobholder is responsible for building, maintaining and influencing a network of key executives for the benefit of UK interests in the sector. Key contacts will include CEOs offices, senior heads of business units, and government affairs teams across a wide range of banks, funds and asset managers with current or potential interests in the UK.

The jobholder will have a key role to play as an account manager to these firms, some of which are the most important investors in the UK within the sector. This involves frequent engagement with key decision-makers and proactive work to identify and cultivate potential new investment opportunities for US companies in their portfolio.

The jobholder will also work very closely with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office colleagues in the British Embassy in Washington to support and deliver economic and financial sector insights and reporting back to HM Government colleagues in London, with a view to positively influencing UK policy making. This will necessitate working in particular with the British Embassy Washington’s Economics and Social Policy team to support building relationships with economists and analysts across the financial services industry, and joining up with colleagues in the British Embassy for engagement in the City.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Acts as DIT’s lead representative with the banking, funds and asset management community in New York, alongside the Sector Director for Financial and Professional Services
  • Develops and maintains a network of key contacts in the industry and seeks to influence them on key areas of interest for the UK financial sector
  • Works closely with counterparts in the British Embassy in Washington, contributing to reporting on key developments and views in on the financial sector
  • Provides outstanding account management of 10-20 key companies in New York and the Tri-State Area
  • Plays an active role in the wider New York Trade & Investment team, contributing to cross-cutting projects and team initiatives
  • Supports visit programs for ministers and senior officials from the UK as required by the Sector Director for Financial and Professional Services and the Regional Director for New York
  • Postgraduate degree and/or undergraduate degree, preferably in economics, finance or business administration
  • 3-5 years of professional experience relevant to the focus of the role
  • Proven analytical ability and the ability to provide concise and incisive advice on complex issues related to finance
  • Proven client engagement skills and the ability to represent an organisation to high profile executives
  • Ability to influence others and gain buy-in at the team, peer and executive level
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills, and highly effective verbal and written communication skills

An existing network in banking, funds and asset management in New York

9 August 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York
British Consulate General
1
USD
$92,194
27 September 2021

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.  

Working patterns:

Flexible working can be considered for the right candidate.

Remote working currently; come September, jobholder will be expected to come into the office 2/3 days per week. TBD with line manager.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

The successful candidate will already have strong interpersonal, communication and analytical skills and will be encouraged to develop these further.  The candidate will have access to a range of in-house and e-learning Learning opportunities, with the potential for overseas training. From time to time there will be requirements to assist other teams within the Department, working with other members of the team to build overall experience through delivery of training and awareness session.

Courses and other opportunities to be completed in the first year include:

  • FCDO and DIT induction
  • Familiarisation visit to DIT HQ in London and a regional organisation
  • Shadowing a DIT operation in a North American post
  • Trade Policy training

Opportunities also exist for senior leader mentorship.

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.