View Vacancy - SIN - Investment Operations and Strategy Director for DBT Asia Pacific, G7
The British High Commission 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 based on 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.
The aim of DBT is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world 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.
DBT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DBT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in the APAC region. With over 280 staff across 14 markets, DBT APAC is a fast-paced, exciting place to work at the heart of UK-Asia Pacific relations.
Main purpose of job:
An opportunity has arisen for an exceptional individual to join the British High Commission Singapore to work in the DBT Asia Pacific team as an Investment Operations and Strategy Director for the APAC region. This is an important leadership role reporting to the DBT APAC Chief Operating Officer (COO) and ultimately to His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to the APAC region.
There are three key parts to this role:
1. Investment Strategy
Drawing on the recommendations of the 2023 Harrington Review, on key Ministerial priorities and working closely with HMTC APAC, the successful candidate will set the strategic direction for securing investment from the region into the UK. This includes designing and overseeing an ambitious, coherent APAC investment approach that significantly increases and retains the number of transformational investment projects from APAC into all parts of the UK.
2. Service and Operational Delivery
The successful candidate will work hand-in-glove with investment teams and Country Directors across the Asia-Pacific network as well as colleagues promoting UK regions and nations to support lead generation and excellent account management of key APAC investors. In doing so, they will expand their portfolios across the length and breadth of the UK. They will establish strong ties with DBT HQ to ensure APAC teams are working to implement decisions made by Ministers (e.g., by promoting a greater shift from high volume to high value projects).
3. Data, Planning and Performance
Another aspect of the role is to design and deliver a data-driven organisational scheme for the APAC region, pulling together performance data across 14 high performing country teams in one clear direction. Working to the COO and as part of the HMTC’s regional strategy team, the candidate will provide the network with the best practice, processes, support, tools and upskilling to ensure strategic decisions made in the region across all HMG’s trade and investment objectives are underpinned by strong data.
Roles and responsibilities the jobholder is expected to achieve:
1. Investment Strategy (50%)
- Leadership and strategic direction for investment teams across the APAC region. This includes management of the APAC-wide investment portfolio, which includes business planning, pipeline management, regional performance, identifying and mitigating risks and building relationships with key stakeholders, UK HQ and regional teams and country teams.
- Develop and implement region-wide investment strategies to facilitate DBT’s ambition to be the number one investment promotion agency in the world. This includes monitoring and understanding trends, sentiment and the business environment in key APAC markets and using these insights to help inform policymaking in the UK.
- Ensure the investment operating model in APAC is fit for purpose and aligned to the UK’s wider investment strategy. This role will also ensure the successful implementation of the Harrington review.
- Oversee a proactive, systematised network approach to increase the number of transformational investment projects, enhancing our targeting and lead generation pipelines. This may include using data platforms or developing relationships with cross-cutting organisations/associations.
- Deliver high impact, high value advice and lead on all investment reporting to HQ and Ministers.
- Coordinate APAC responses to regional investment commissions.
2. Service and Operational Delivery (25%)
- Ensure that investment teams have the knowledge, tools and resources necessary to deliver effectively in their roles. Working with respective teams in DBT headquarters and L&D colleagues, you will establish an APAC investment network that is skilled and equipped to deliver an ambitious, refreshed approach to investment.
- Build operational awareness of DBT’s investment approach, as well as the skills needed to influence the CEOs of multinational companies. You will establish and maintain an engaged network and be able to effect behaviour change across the 14 markets.
- Coordinate APAC investment engagement with cross-cutting events (e.g. HMG’s Global Investment Summit).
3. Data, planning and performance (25%)
- Co-design dashboards that provide a roadmap for teams to optimise productivity, reducing duplication, errors and burdensome requests. Provide best practice, support, tools and upskilling to ensure that every strategic decision made in the region is underpinned by strong data.
- Design, deliver and maintain a network-wide key account management system that significantly improves returns on business engagement.
- Provide the network with effective and systematic tools and processes for lead generation to drive significant increases in high quality pipelines. Use skills in oral, written and graphical presentations to provide a compelling case for said platforms and install measurement systems to understand impact.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
As this is a new role, its primary focus will be on delivering the 3 key pillars above. In time, it may evolve to include direct line management. For now, there will be dotted lined management responsibility or counter-signing responsibility as follows:
- 100% data analyst
- 100% APAC Head of Finance and Operations
- 50% operations team in Japan
- 20% data analyst located in Bangkok.
There may also be further line management as the role develops.
The role will suit a highly talented individual who is skilled in translating complex, high-level initiatives into cohesive operational clarity with clear governance and evaluation processes. The individual will be highly engaging with a proven track record of driving network-wide change across large organisations.
- Over 5 years’ experience working to deliver trade and investment priorities;
- Data-driven, self-motivated, analytical and persuasive;
- First rate written and verbal presentation and communication skills in English;
- Good IT skills, familiar with MS Office applications.
- High level Microsoft Office experience;
- Experience leading on major change management programs;
- Experience working with data platforms, specifically FDI Markets, Infralogic and Velcociti.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary of SGD 11,236 per month and a generous annual wage supplement (as part of total guaranteed remuneration) of an additional 2 months’ salary paid out in December each year, Central Provident Fund (CPF) payment in lieu for non-Permanent Resident foreign nationals, 23-days annual leave entitlement and a health insurance plan. The basic salary is non-negotiable.
We have a generous leave offer including: 23 days annual leave, increasing to 25 after 5 years' service, with the option to carry over up to 12 days into the subsequent leave year; 14 public holidays; generous maternity and paternity leave; and childcare leave. We encourage volunteerism and offer up to 3 days paid volunteer leave.
We offer medical insurance to support staff with the high costs of healthcare in Singapore and periodic reimbursement for the cost of eye tests and replacement eye wear.
Learning and development opportunities:
We offer time and financial support for the successful candidate to take advantage of professional learning and development opportunities inside and outside of the organisation.
The High Commission is committed to being a learning and development organisation and encourages all staff to pursue continued learning and development in the workplace. We offer a supportive and friendly working environment where staff work to the values of: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Everyone is encouraged to take responsibility, be innovative and work together.
The BHC has an active Learning & Development Committee which works hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. There is a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the International Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all available opportunities.
All new hires undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses that must be completed in order to pass probation.
Working Patterns:
Normal working hours are 37.5 per week: 8.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.
BHC Singapore supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering.
Please note that the High Commission supports flexible working for its staff. Our current posture allows for staff to work from home for up to 40% of their working week, subject to line manager agreement.
Other information:
In addition to the duties which this job normally entails, you may from time to time be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the High Commission, including playing a part in the corporate life of the mission and supporting any crisis response.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit which we will sponsor.
Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Singapore employment law.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.
The British High Commission is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation. Our values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence (CORE) are our guiding principles. We aspire to live our values consistently in order to make the British High Commission a great place to work where staff feel valued, supported and inspired to be their best. To learn more about the Commission, watch Life at the British High Commission Singapore.
Please note that all successful candidates will be expected to serve a minimum of 6 months in their new role before being eligible to apply for further positions within the British High Commission.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline."
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
