Main purpose of job:
An opportunity to join a dynamic team focused on fostering transatlantic business relations between North America and its top economic partner in Europe.
The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, and delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.
DIT North America works closely with DIT headquarters in London, with related agencies in the UK and with representatives of the English Regions and the UK’s Devolved Administrations in North America, to assist North American companies looking to invest in the UK, and help UK companies identify opportunities to trade with North America (see www.gov.uk/DIT).
The post advertised is for a Trade & Investment Officer (TIO) based at the British Consulate General in San Francisco. Reporting to the Regional Director – Silicon Valley & Northwest USA, with dotted line into the Sector Director for Capital Investment – North America, the TIO will work as part of a team located across North America with responsibility for driving strategic capital investment from the United States and Canada into all regions of the UK, as well as being a valued contributor to the applicable regional team.
North America is the largest source of investible capital in the world, and is home to the majority of the world’s leading investment firms, including the world’s top 100 venture capital firms. DIT’s mission in this space is to engage with the world’s leading venture capital firms as a means of providing readily accessible sources of early and growth stage capital to innovative UK start-ups, in support of the government’s overarching strategic priorities.
DIT is offering an exciting and challenging opportunity for an experienced, commercially savvy individual to help identify and drive venture capital investment into strategically significant ecosystems, that will enable innovators to scale, and establish the UK as a global life sciences and technology superpower. This will involve targeting, prospecting, developing and managing new and existing relationships with some of the world’s major venture capital firms, largely (but not exclusively) focused in Silicon Valley.
The job holder will: a) support the Sector Director in setting strategic priorities, identifying new market opportunities and delivering the Capital Investment sector plan for North America; b) provide thought leadership and subject matter expertise within DIT on the venture capital landscape; c) present the UK value story and DIT proposition to targeted venture capital firms and manage assigned prospect pipeline; d) work closely with DIT’s venture capital unit in the UK to facilitate deal flow for US firms in a differentiated manner; e) manage key investor relationships, bringing in support, as required, from across government; f) contribute to the organisation and execution of high profile visits, such as Ministerial and VIP delegations.
To be successful, the job holder will need to be strategic, resourceful and highly driven. S/he/they will have exceptional strategic thinking, business development and relationship management skills; the ability to understand and adapt to market dynamics and government policy; the communication skills to convey compelling and impactful messages to external audiences; and a strong will to win. As circumstances permit, s/he/they will be required to attend official functions, and undertake travel for in-person engagement with investors and colleagues across North American and in the UK.
Roles and responsibilities:
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:
Important: Under US State Department requirements, the British Embassy Group 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.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.
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.
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.
