View Vacancy - Capital Investment Officer - San Francisco

Background:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the United Kingdom Government’s international business development agency.  DIT in the USA has two roles. The first is to ensure UK-based businesses are successful in the US market. The second is to assist/advise US companies with a successful market entry/expansion plan into the UK market. (See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information.)

DIT USA works closely with DIT Headquarters in London, together with representatives of the three Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and other departmental agencies in the UK.

DIT USA is run from headquarters in New York and is supported by a network of regional teams made up of 135 members of staff spread across 9 different offices.  This is a dynamic team that focuses on various sectors including financial & professional services, life sciences, tech, digital and creative media, advanced engineering, security, consumer goods, and clean technology. 

The advertised post is Capital Investment officer based in San Francisco. This new role will be a part of the 17 person DIT team and will report directly to the head of trade and investment. This is a fast moving environment that requires an individual to be flexible, organised, efficient and the ability to operate at pace. The role will concentrate regional efforts on the Western United States including California, Washington, Utah, Arizonia, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii and Alaska. 

Role Description:

A key priority for DIT is to attract financial investment into UK infrastructure, real estate and venture capital from key countries. DIT is offering an exciting and challenging opportunity for an experienced, commercially focused person to help identify, develop and deliver investment in the UK. This will involve developing relationships and securing deals with major companies and institutions seeking to invest in the UK.

You will be part of a virtual team of three and leverage the US wider resources of the British Government including DIT sector teams, Consuls General, Government Office teams and senior leadership in DIT and the Embassy.

There is strong potential for investments to the UK in infrastructure, real estate and venture capital. US institutional investors have indicated existing and growing appetite to invest in European infrastructure and real estate – survey in 2015 have found 4 in 5 North American institutional investors actively investing in European infrastructure are planning to increase their allocations to the region, and 35% of North American investors targeting real estate investments in Europe over the next year.

US real estate and infrastructure developers and corporates can also play a key role in providing capital investment from the US. Additionally, this role will work with US-based high value individuals, family offices, pension funds, private equity, venture capital groups, and privately-owned businesses to encourage investment in the UK across different sectors or supporting UK companies to enter the US.

US is the largest Venture Capital market with $58.8bn in venture capital invested across U.S. in 2015. While, the UK has established itself as the leader in attracting VC investment, estimates are we have secured less than 10% of the US total.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify a priority list of investors and intermediaries to target in the US with the potential appetite to invest in UK infrastructure, real estate and venture capital.  
• Support DIT’s engagement with US high value individuals, family offices and privately-owned businesses and understand their appetite to trade with the UK.
• Build a high value project pipeline of US investors into the UK.  Identify and access the top companies, which will lead to active negotiations to invest in the first 12 months of the role.
• Monitor market trends and contribute to North America-wide, sector-focused strategic planning. Work with multiple internal and external stakeholders to deliver high level /VIP visit programs, manage cross-consulate activities that capitalise on the synergies that exist between the US and UK and help advance key UK campaigns.
• Develop and implement high impact, targeted marketing programs and events in conjunction with stakeholder partners (including high level dinners, seminars etc.) to build DIT brand awareness; promote key messaging relating to capital investment, the UK economy and its competitiveness.
• Represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.

• Bachelors Degree in a relevant field
• 6-8 years relevant professional experience in international business
• An exceptional individual, a self-starter, with a track record in helping companies access venture capital, invest in infrastructure, or real estate.
• A solid understanding of both the US and UK business environments, in addition to public versus private sector operations.
• Highly developed commercial acumen, strong client and project management skills;
• An excellent network of industry contacts in the financial sector in US or the ability to develop such a network, including demonstrating the ability to develop strategic relationships with senior industry figures;Excellent communication skills and the ability to present effectively.
• Ability to influence at different levels.
• Excellent research, analysis and report writing skills, particularly the ability to produce high quality outputs.
• An effective time manager, able to keep calm when under pressure to meet deadlines;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a closely-knit team towards shared goals and strong networking skills.
• Computer literacy in standard Microsoft applications;
• Valid driver’s license; the ability to attend official functions outside of office hours; and the ability to undertake domestic and international air travel, including overnight stays.
• Assist with consular support services in times of crises.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy 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.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.