View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Associate - Financial, Professional, and Business Services

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Background: 

Department for International Trade (DIT) is the United Kingdom’s international business development agency.  (See https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-international-trade for further information.)

 

Working closely with DIT Headquarters in London, our Investment Services Team, and other departmental agencies in the UK, together with representatives of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, DIT Washington drives transatlantic trade and foreign investment into the UK.  Comprising 125 staff across 9 US offices, the team benchmarks progress against an aggressive set of trade and investment targets in various sectors, such as financial and business services, life sciences/healthcare, digital and creative media, security, energy, clean technology, ICT and Aid-Funded Business. 

 

The advertised post, based at the British Embassy in Washington DC, is for a Trade & Investment Associate (TIA) supporting the Washington DC’s Trade and Investment Officer for Financial, Professional & Business Services. He/she will work as part of a team responsible for financial & regulatory technology, insurance, asset management, back/middle office and Professional Services. The TIA will develop relationships with fast growth startups as well as building relationships with US companies who have operations in the UK. This role covers the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, engaging with clients in a 7-state area, which includes the District of Columbia, as well as Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The TIA will actively contribute to the Sector team’s strategy in DC by working with existing investors in the UK, identifying and supporting potential new investors, and supporting UK companies who export to the US. The expected split between the Investment work (FDI) and Trade (Exports from UK) will be 50/50.

 

As part of the overall scope and responsibilities of the role, the successful candidate will be required to attend official functions outside of office hours and to undertake domestic travel, as well as a limited amount of international travel to the UK.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

  • Proactively identify and make initial contact with Mid-Atlantic-headquartered companies that may be interested in establishing or expanding their operations in the UK.
  • Organize visit programmes and schedule company meetings for the Financial Services TIO. Attend meetings when appropriate and assist in providing support and managing client relationships.
  • Conduct research and compile reports on industry developments, best routes to market and potential US business partners for UK companies operating in the finance sector that are looking to enter the US market.
  • Develop, maintain, and disseminate knowledge of developments, trends, and opportunities in the finance sector in both the US and the UK.
  • Maintain client relationship management records, lists of key industry contacts and other data.
  • Assist with initiatives such as trade missions, seminars, webinars, receptions and other events to promote UKDIT-US’ work in the finance sector. Provide event management and logistical support when necessary.
  • Provide operational and administrative support to the Finance TIO and to the wider Washington DC DIT team as and when required.
  • Liaise with internal teams, and external contacts at an executive level, including cold calls and networking at events.
  • Build and manage a database of key contacts in the industry.  

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• 3-5 years’ professional experience in international business, preferably with a proven track record of fostering strong business relationships.
• Ability and credibility to deal with companies/organizations at a senior level in person and over the phone, with a proven track record of fostering business relationships.
• Excellent research and report writing skills – with an ability to provide clear, concise summaries and to respond to ad hoc requests at short notice using databases and other information sources.
• Proactive self-starter, able to prioritize and effectively manage multiple tasks.
• Attention to detail and good follow up discipline.
• Strong and enthusiastic networking skills.
• Committed team player.
• Comfortable with initiating and handling introductory calls to relevant companies.
• Knowledge of the business environments in the UK and US
• Excellent organizational skills; proactive approach to work.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced team and often under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) is essential, plus fluency with online and social media networks.
• Ability to undertake occasional travel within the US and the UK; ability to attend morning and evening events.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy Network may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance. 

 

*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas.

4 July 2017
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
24.48
28 August 2017

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local American employment law.

The British Embassy Network offers a competitive salary and a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

Resume and cover letter should be submitted by 04 July 2017. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor if they intend on applying.

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, 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.