View Vacancy - Trade & Investment Associate, Creative Industries and Digital Media

Main Purpose of Job

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) is a Government Department charged with securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment and championing free trade. In the United States, DIT works closely with UK agencies, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), to: 

• promote British trade and investment across the world,
• build the global appetite for British goods and services,
• break down barriers to trade and investment in order to help businesses succeed,
• support the development of a new trade policy framework for the UK as it leaves the EU. 

The post advertised is for a Trade & Investment Associate (TIA) position based in the British Consulate General in San Francisco, working in the Creative Industries and Digital Media (C&M) sector, which includes film, television, games, esports, advertising, music, immersive technology, and more. This role is an exciting opportunity to work with two of the world’s leading creative economies while based in a key global tech and media hub.  

Working with a Trade and Investment Officer (TIO), the successful candidate will support DIT clients and deliver DIT initiatives in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on Northern California, Seattle, and Portland. Their responsibilities will include: a) enabling communications between the TIO, senior DIT leadership, and the North American C&M team; b) event managing DIT initiatives designed to deliver US market opportunities to a broad range of UK exporters; c) identifying potential investors into the UK; d) managing clients effectively; and e) maintaining and growing a client pipeline through outreach and lead-generation. 

To be successful, the job holder will need to be innovative, detail-oriented, and proactive. They will have exceptional organizational skills, be deft at relationship management with both external clients and US/UK government stakeholders, be able to analyse emerging market trends in order to respond to new opportunities, and have some experience in sales and/or business development. They will be required to attend official functions outside of office hours and undertake travel (US and UK) approximately 10% of the time.  

Alongside a competitive salary compared to similar economic development organizations, DIT offers exceptional benefits. These include approximately 3 weeks paid vacation to start (increasing with tenure) plus public holidays, excellent healthcare options, and parental leave. DIT also offers the opportunity to be part of an inclusive and diverse team of people. DIT strives to be a place where people can bring their whole selves to work and to make teams reflective of the cities in which they’re based.

Roles and responsibilities 

• Identify U.S. companies interested in establishing or expanding operations in the UK. Make initial contact, organize visit programmes and schedule meetings for the TIO. Attend meetings where appropriate and support the management of client relationships.
• Support strong relationships with U.S. and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key partners within the creative industries (including music, createch, games, esports, sports, immersive tech, marketing agencies, film, TV, advertising, and adtech).
• Assist with initiatives such as trade missions, seminars, webinars, receptions and other events to promote UK strengths. Provide event management and logistical support where necessary.
• Support UK prosperity, economic growth, and UK trade policy objectives, in collaboration with other UK government agencies.
• Manage and/or support visits by senior government officials by securing high-level meetings, organizing activities, preparing briefing materials, and writing/recording of meeting notes.
• Build and maintain current knowledge of market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence in both the U.S. and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients. Conduct research and compile occasional reports on routes to market and U.S. opportunities for UK exporters.
• Provide operational and administrative support to the TIO by maintaining client and project databases/pipelines and serving as a point of contact.
• Perform lead-generation and targeted outreach to grow client pipelines.
• Attend official functions outside of office hours and undertake travel in the U.S. and occasional travel overseas up to 10% of the time.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• 1-3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Strong project management and client management experience.
• Experience in lead-generation and business development.
• 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.