View Vacancy - Retail Development Specialist (ITA19.247)
The British Consulate General in Milan is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Retail Development Specialist.
The job-holder would form part of the existing DIT Consumer, Retail and Luxury trade team and work in collaboration with DIT headquarters and the Retail sector team in the UK, ensuring the development of a dedicated strategy to drive a sustainable exports growth of UK suppliers across local retail channels and across industry sub-sectors. These include fashion, cosmetics and perfumery, homeware and furniture, DIY and gardening, jewellery and giftware, food retail services, sports equipment and clothing, luxury cars and yachts, luxury food and drink. The ideal candidate should be able to open, develop and maintain collaborations with local retail organisations, including multiples, department stores, independents and e-commerce platforms.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Identify and map business opportunities and consumers needs in the market so as to facilitate market entry by new UK companies and grow business for current exporters - in line with UK industry strengths;
- Manage and retain relationships with top retailers in Italy – both brick-and-mortar retailers and e-commerce platforms - to introduce new British brands or grow business of current British suppliers;
- Explore opportunities across retail scenario for high-impact collective retail projects aimed at launching new brands and increasing consumer awareness of UK excellence;
- Propose, discuss, agree and implement business development strategy in the retail sector in agreement with Retail, Consumer & Luxury market strategy;
- Follow industry trends locally and internationally so to identify industry gaps and create new export opportunities for UK companies in Italy;
- Using all means available to deliver high-impact trade projects including cooperation with VIP contacts, key stakeholders, HQ/Post colleagues and policy teams for efficient account management;
- Demonstrate personal ambition for DIT’s trade team including the ability to maximise resources, introduce innovative ideas and enhance capabilities leading to increased team performance and effectiveness;
- Wider collaboration with the existing trade team at Post, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.
- Excellent Italian and English language skills (written and spoken) - C1 Level or above under the CEFR*;
- Previous direct employment experience in the sector eg having worked in either a major retail business or retail sector consultancy in Italy in a business development capacity with a wide, high-performing network of sector contacts
- In-depth knowledge of the Italian retail market and the UK offer in the consumer and luxury sectors in order to identify, suggest, plan and deliver strategic activities to implement export strategy
- Excellent organisational, communication and team working skills
- Creative thinking
- Experience in account / relationship management
- Proven project management skills
- Ability to build rapport at all levels internally and externally
- Strategic thinking and in-depth understanding of how the role supports sustainable growth
- Analytical skills, including excellent use of Excel and CRM tools.
- Knowledge of UK business strengths at country and regional level
- Experience with and awareness of Italian retail market
- Sound understanding of the retail scenario and of the retail industry dynamics.
This is a full-time temporary position with a contract of 12 months, graded B3 according to the FCO grading structure.
The monthly gross salary is € 2,929 . The salary is paid monthly 14 times per year including € 10.33 EDR paid 13 times per year, with double salary payments in June and December. If working less than a full calendar year, the additional salary payments will be pro-rata.
Working hours are 35 hrs per week with some flexibility allowed.
The appointment is subject to security clearance and the successful completion of a 4-month probationary period.
All staff employed by the British Consulate General are subject to Italian income tax rate deductions (IRPEF). However, the administration of these tax payments will vary depending on nationality.
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Italian State Social Security Scheme.
Staff recruited locally by the Consulate General in Milan are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Italian employment law.
Applicants must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Italy and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. The British Consulate General does not sponsor for work permits.
*Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.*
Please note 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.
Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
