View Vacancy - Vice Consul / Trade & Investment Officer (Financial Services)

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.
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government’s international business development agency. DIT USA, working closely with DIT and other agencies in the United Kingdom, is charged with transatlantic trade development between the UK and the US; and with assisting US companies looking to invest in the UK. See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information.

The Trade & Investment Officer will be responsible for developing strong relationships with senior executives in companies in the Financial Services sectors, predominantly in the Banking, Asset Management and Insurance space, across the New York consular region (the states of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania) that are either currently invested in the UK or poised for international expansion. The other main responsibilities include supporting banking, asset management and insurance focused UK exporters, with market entry support into the New York consular region.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Services, the position presents a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team comprised of 30 trade and investment professionals focused on knowledge-based sectors including: technology, life sciences, clean tech, advanced engineering, digital/creative media, Homeland Security and UN procurement.

The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of financial services and international business development with familiarisation with banking, asset management and insurance.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

  • Deliver an aggressive set of annual trade and investment targets.

  • Forge strong relationships with business leaders (start-ups through Fortune 500) in the banking, asset management and insurance sectors

  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Provide assistance to US financial services companies looking to invest in the UK and support US companies already active in the UK market, with a focus on Banking, Asset Management and Insurance. Build an active client pipeline by executing lead generation, developing and managing relationships with senior executives and business leaders. Gather intelligence from US investors on the UK business environment, Brexit and related policies.

  • UK Exports: Provide advice, support and guidance to UK firms seeking to establish or expand exports in the New York area. Facilitate activities, such as trade missions and matchmaking events, designed to build the UK brand and grow UK Financial Services exports.

  • Feed in potential concerns of exporters and UK companies established in the New York area regarding market access barriers and evolving trade policies.

  • Participate in the activities and events conducted by industry associations and other multipliers, building awareness of DIT in the business community and serving as a point of contact for UK market information.

  • 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. This will include: compiling visit programs, planning company meetings, and writing briefing materials.

  • Develop, position and implement marketing strategies in partnership with the Communications team, conceive and develop DIT activities, and produce and manage events with the goals of increasing awareness of the UK’s market proposition to potential investors, building relationships, and generating FDI leads.

  • Represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.

  • Maintain current knowledge of UK market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence in the Financial Services sector in order to promote them effectively to a US audience.

  • Monitor US market trends and identify business opportunities for UK companies in the New York area.

  • Undertake occasional travel to the UK.

  • Line management of one Trade & Investment Associate, and close collaboration with others.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

One Trade & Investment Associate (TIA)

Responsible for maintaining individual budget and for certain sector specific activities


  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • 4-6 years relevant work experience and/or business development experience in the US and, ideally, the UK;

  • An exceptional individual with a track record of strong client management experience;

  • A self-starter, able to work independently and show initiative with limited day-to-day supervision while operating as part of a wider team with shared goals and wide-ranging objectives;

  • A solid understanding of both the US and UK business environments and investment proposition;

  • Ability to be proactive, organised and work to deadlines, prioritise and multi-task with strong 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 and networking skills;

  • Computer literacy in standard Microsoft applications;

  • Line management experience;

  • 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.

Essential on arrival: The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of financial services and an understanding of the Banking, Asset Management and Insurance sectors. A proven track record of 5 or more years of client account management, and the ability to help those clients with their internationalisation plans, is highly preferred.

  • Able to be located in/relocate to, the New York City area.
  • Have knowledge of the New York City financial services ecosystem, and major companies/players/partners.

  • Be willing to undertake occasional travel to the UK.

  • Be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements (both during working hours and evenings).
25 January 2019
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York
British Consulate General
1
USD
84,427
18 March 2019

The candidate will have the ability to avail of internal and external training facilitated and paid for by DIT budget – including a familiarization trip back to the UK (if required).

Flexible working is possible within DIT New York. Possibilities include adjusting working hours and working remotely, one-to-two days a week, depending on schedule. (Note: this is not always possible during busy periods, or when there are mandatory staff meetings. Each week is taken on a case-by-case basis, with clear communication around what’s required to be in the office for, vs. the authorization to work remotely).

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy Network 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.

*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local American employment law.

Candidates who are not US taxpaying citizens will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status. Salary will be confirmed upon offer of employment.


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 an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or other category 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.