View Vacancy - Director - Investment (USA), Department for International Trade
Main purpose of job
The Department for International Trade leads for the United Kingdom Government on transatlantic trade and investment between the UK and the US including assisting US companies looking to invest in the UK. (See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information).
Within the British Embassy and the Consulates around the USA, the Department for International Trade has 140+ members of staff spread across 9 locations, forming a dynamic team that focuses on various sectors including advanced engineering and manufacturing, technology, financial services, life sciences, food & drink and energy & environment. The US 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.
What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
This is a challenging and rewarding job. The jobholder needs to provide strong leadership of high-performing DIT sector teams, good judgement in prioritising competing demands and keeping their teams focused on the delivery of the North America network’s strategy and objectives. They will also need strong communication and influencing skills and commercial awareness in order to perform their client-facing role and be credible with business.
The Director contributes to the development and implementation of DIT’s Regional Trade Plan for North America and is specifically responsible for the delivery of the network’s FDI targets and strategy. The job involves a strong client-facing role. It also involves a significant management role; along with the Director Exports the post holder leads the US based sector teams to ensure that they deliver on their investment targets and the broader prosperity agenda. In addition, the post holder will work closely with the wider prosperity policy teams, including those based in the Embassy in DC. To ensure close coordination with them, the relevant sector leads and London teams the role will be based in one of our East Coast posts (Boston, New York, Washington, Atlanta or Miami).
Responsibilities include:
- Lead, manage and motivate the DIT North America team efforts on investment priorities across the US set by HMG, UK.
- Deliver national investment targets for DIT in the USA accounting for more than 25% of all investment into the UK, from more than 400 investment projects, creating approximately 30k jobs per annum.
- Line management responsibilities with the Director Exports for DIT Heads of Sector. Oversee the development and delivery of the UK’s trade promotion and investment strategies for a number of priority sectors including Technology, Creative & Media, Financial Services, Capital Investment and Life Sciences.
- Manage multiple Ministerial and senior official programmes.
- Undertake regular speaking engagements across the US, host awards ceremonies, receptions and dinners. Moderate panel discussions at major events e.g. SXSW in Austin, TechFest in Portland and CES Las Vegas.
- Forge strong relationships with business leaders, trade associations and interlocutors both in the UK and the US, including the various chapters of the BritishAmerican Business Council.
- Ensure seamless collaboration with the DIT Canadian Team and DIT headquarters.
- Advise DIT leadership team on resource allocation, strategy and significant management decision.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Direct line management of 5 Heads of Sector
Essential on arrival:
- A minimum of 12 years’ professional business experience.
- Bachelor degree (International Business, MBA or advanced degree a plus).
- An in depth knowledge of business, the US and the UK economies. An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy.
- Ability to build, manage and foster a highly-productive, team-oriented, agile culture.
- Ability to influence others and gain buy-in at the team, peer and executive level.
- An excellent network of industry contacts and the ability to develop new networks, including demonstrating the ability to develop strategic relationships with senior industry figures.
- Proven experience delivering creative and innovative solutions to business challenges.
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.
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.
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.
Learning and development opportunities:
We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.
Working patterns:
40 hours (USA) work week, Monday through Friday, occasional evenings and weekends.
Occasional flexible and remote working is permissible.
Position location
Internal candidates can be based at any of the East Coast posts (Boston, Atlanta, Washington, New York, Miami).
External candidates will be based in New York.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
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, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
