View Vacancy - Vice Consul / Trade & Investment Officer (Retail)
Main purpose of job:
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government’s international business development agency. DIT USA, working closely with DIT and other agencies in the United Kingdom, is charged with transatlantic trade development between the UK and the US; and with assisting US companies looking to invest in the UK. See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information.
The advertised post is Vice Consul/Retail and Luxury Trade and Investment Officer based in the British Consulate General, New York. The officer will concentrate regional efforts on the East Coast (Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia); and will report to the Deputy Head of Trade & Investment for New York.
Reporting to the Deputy Head of Trade & Investment, the position presents a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team comprised of 30 trade and investment professionals focused on knowledge-based sectors including: financial services, life sciences, energy and infrastructure, advanced engineering, digital/creative media, food/drink and homeland security and UN procurement.
The officer will be responsible for developing strong relationships with C-level executives in companies in the retail sector across the east coast that are either currently buying consumer goods or investing/expanding their business to the UK. In addition the officer will develop a strong pipeline of UK export companies expanding to the US and spend a percentage of time aiding these exporters with market entry support into the east coast.
The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of US retail and marketplaces focused on fashion (including men and women’s wear, bridal, shoes, and children’s), beauty, giftware, homeware/interiors; in addition to e-commerce and brand management. Some familiarisation with pet products, sporting goods, stationery, craft products and retail technology is desirable but not a necessity.
Roles and responsibilities
- Deliver an aggressive set of annual trade and investment targets.
- Forge strong relationships with business leaders (start-ups through Fortune 500), the VC/ finance community, trade associations, retailers and buyers, and interlocutors.
- UK Exports: Provide advice, support and guidance to UK firms seeking to develop their US market entry strategies and support UK brands already active in the US to increase market penetration on the East coast.
- Build strong relationships with potential US business partners (importers, distributors, retailers etc.) for UK customers.
- Feed in concerns of exporters and UK companies established on the east coast that might relate to market access barriers and evolving trade policies.
- Develop, position and implement marketing strategies, conceive and develop DIT activities, and produce and manage events (such as trade missions and matchmaking events) designed to increase awareness of the UK’s expertise in retail and growing UK retail and luxury exports in the US.
- Participate in the activities and events conducted by industry associations and other multipliers, building awareness of DIT in the business community and serving as a point of contact for UK market information.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high level/VIP visit programs and manage cross-Consulate activities that capitalise on the extensive synergies that exist between New York and the UK, and help advance key UK “retail campaigns”. This will include: compiling visit programs, planning company meetings, and writing briefing materials.
- FDI: Provide assistance to US retail companies looking to invest in the UK and support US companies already active in the UK market. Build an active client pipeline by executing lead generation, developing and managing relationships with C-level executives and business leaders. Gather intelligence from US investors on the UK business environment, BREXIT and related policies.
- Maintain current knowledge of UK market trends, in order to promote them effectively to a US audience.
- Monitor US market trends and identify business opportunities for UK companies in the New York Area.
- Represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
- Undertake occasional travel to the UK.
- Line manage two Associates.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Two Trade & Investment Associates (TIA) and local budget for travel and events.
The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of US retail and marketplaces purchasing focused on fashion (including men and women’s wear, bridal, shoes, and children’s), beauty, giftware, homeware/interiors; in addition to brand management. A proven track record of 5 or more years of client account management, and the ability to help those clients with their internationalisation plans, is highly preferred.
Language: Fluent English.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field;
- 6-8 years of relevant work experience and/or business development experience in the US and, ideally, the UK;
- Strong client management experience (5 years plus)
- Experience/knowledge of the UK's investment proposition and business environment;
- Ability to be proactive, organized and work to deadlines, prioritize and multi-task;
- A self-starter, able to work independently and show initiative with limited day-to-day supervision while operating as part of a wider team with shared goals and wide-ranging objectives;
- Strong networking skills;
- Line management experience
- A demonstrable track record of achievement;
- Computer literacy in standard Microsoft applications;
- Driving license and ability to undertake occasional air travel including overnight stays.
- Some familiarisation with pet products, sporting goods, stationery, craft products and retail technology is desirable but not a necessity.
Working Patterns:
Flexible working is possible within DIT New York. Possibilities include earlier or later start times in the morning – followed by leaving earlier or later in the evening. DIT New York allows employees to work remotely, one-to-two days a week, depending on schedule. (Note: this is not always possible during busy periods, or when there are mandatory staff meetings. Each week is taken on a case-by-case basis, with clear communication around what’s required to be in the office for, vs. the authorization to work remotely).
- Able to be located in/relocate to, the New York City area.
- Have knowledge of the New York City retail industry, understand current trends and major companies/players/partners.
- Be willing to undertake occasional travel to the UK.
- Be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements (both during working hours and evenings).
This opportunity is closed to applications.
