View Vacancy - Head of West Coast - Welsh Government

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)
Welsh Government

Main purpose of job:

The Welsh Government team has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and driven individual to join as Head of West Coast for Welsh Government. The post will be based in either the British Consulate in San Francisco or the British Consulate in Los Angeles, depending on the preferred location of the successful candidate.

The primary purpose of the role is to deliver the overarching objectives of the Welsh Government’s International Strategy: to raise the profile of Wales overseas, to grow the Welsh economy through exports and inward investment, and to establish Wales as a globally responsible nation.

The Head of West Coast is a key part of the Welsh Government team in North America, alongside 3 other Heads of Region. Reporting to the Welsh Government’s Head of North America, based in Washington DC, the post holder is the Welsh Government representative for the West Coast of the US, covering the 12 states of California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming.

The post holder is responsible for representing Wales and the interests of Welsh Government across a broad range of portfolio areas within the outlined region. They will have a high degree of local autonomy and work closely with Welsh Government colleagues and UK Government colleagues across the US network, and in particular from the Department for International Trade (DIT), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and Science & Innovation (SIN). 

The ideal candidate should be a confident communicator and networker, with the ability to interact skilfully with external contacts at all levels, and a proven record of fostering successful business relationships. They should also be a dynamic self-starter, with the ability to drive forward objectives under limited day-to-day supervision.

The post holder will form part of the wider FCDO US Network. The US Network offers unique career enhancing opportunities and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. 

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Lead on developing and implementing a strategic activity plan for the West Coast region to deliver the Welsh Government's objectives aligned with the International Strategy.
  • Identify, develop and deliver new and secondary quality inward investment projects across all investment sectors. Successfully build and manage a pipeline of inward investment projects that have the potential to deliver results in the short, medium and long term.
  • Provide appropriate business intelligence on sector specific developments and regional opportunities for Wales, through knowledge and understanding of key industries. Industry sectors for particular focus include Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Creative Industries, Tech, Energy and Environment, Food and Drink, and Tourism. 
  • Develop and maintain high-level, influential networks across the region to help build the profile of Wales and deliver the International Strategy. This includes working with the UK Government network in the region and promoting Welsh interests within FCDO network.
  • Represent Wales at external events, including conferences and trade shows, to deliver key messages aligned with the International Strategy. 
  • Assist high-growth Welsh businesses, including identification of regional export opportunities, advice on local trading conditions and market entry strategies.
  • Lead on the creation and delivery of ministerial and senior official visits to the region.
  • Lead on the development and nurturing of a robust and active Welsh diaspora network in the region.
  • 7+ years directly-related professional experience, including significant experience in Government preferably in an international setting.

  • A track record of working collaboratively with colleagues across different locations and with considerable autonomy.

  • Experience dealing with companies and organizations at a senior level, with a proven record of fostering business relationships and a demonstrated ability to think strategically.

  • A solid understanding of both the US and UK business environments, in addition to public versus private sector operations.

  • Excellent communication and networking skills.

  • Appreciation and understanding / familiarity of Wales. 
  • Excellent public speaking skills and the ability to present effectively.
Seeing the Big Picture, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
18 April 2023
Grade 7 (G7)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Los Angeles, San Francisco
British Consulate General
1
USD
Los Angeles: $114,730 San Francisco: $123,090
5 June 2023

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Working patterns:

This role is full time, 40 hours a week.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

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. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. 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, gender identity, 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.