View Vacancy - SH - Head of Retail, Consumer and Sports, D6(L)

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)
DIT

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.

Main Purpose of Job:

This is an exciting and demanding leadership role for a talented and commercially driven individual with a passion for retail and e-commerce to join DIT China as Head of the Retail and Consumer Sector team and be part of a high-powered team at the forefront of the British Government’s growth agenda.  You will play a key leadership role in delivering the retail and consumer strategy elements of the DIT China Regional Trade Plan.

Detail

The Department for International Trade (DIT) operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT 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. DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

As Head of the Retail, Consumer and Sports you will develop and lead a high performing team, working with internal and external partners such as the China Britain Business Council (CBBC) to deliver targeted campaigns across three key strands of work:

1) Trade - to help UK companies win more business in China;

2) Trade Policy - to create a more favourable business environment in which UK companies can operate and;

3) Investment - to secure new and increased investment from China into the UK.

An expansive role in which you will lead strategy development and implementation on all types of retail and sports to help UK businesses trade successfully with China, including but not limited to fashion and accessories, beauty & cosmetics, mother & baby, homewares & lifestyle, consumer electronics and FMCG, and technologies used to support leading advancements in the retail & consumer industries. In addition, it covers all retail channels to market such as ecommerce and social media platforms, shopping centres, department stores, multibrand buyer stores and outlets.

As a senior member of the wider DIT leadership team, you will report directly to the Head of Creative, Consumer and Learning (CCL), who is based in Beijing.  You will lead trade promotion, trade policy and investment activity for the Retail & Consumer sector, providing vision, direction and oversight of the small China-wide team, developing a strategy to deliver ambitious targets, co-ordinating and managing cross cutting issues and risks to performance and delivery, and deputising for the CCL lead as required.

The core foci of your role will be to deliver high value business wins for UK businesses exporting and doing business in China including for market access and business environment issues, as well as high quality investment from Chinese enterprises into the UK to meet challenging sector targets.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

    Strategy Development and Relationship Management (30%)

    • Set a clear strategic vision that focuses your team on achieving optimal commercial returns for the UK by ensuring the team maintains and further develops effective joint working and increased collaboration with DIT sectors, cross government colleagues and with key industry bodies and think tanks, keeping abreast of emerging digital strategies
    • Agree a suite of GVA commercial targets, measures and metrics for driving exports, improving market access and two way flow of investment (ODI and FDI) with the Assistant Director that is informed by engagement with the DIT UK sector team and with DIT Regional Directors in Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine for Growth; London; and the South and East Regions as well as with the Devolved Administrations
    • Ensure that ‘best in class’ strategic relationship management plans and practices are in place and adhered to across your sector, including managing key relationships at C-suite level in business and with Chinese Government on both trade promotion and trade policy
    • Lead the team in identifying and building relationships with key players in China and the UK, including companies, intermediaries, trade associations and government departments to understand their business intentions and needs, including effective deployment of senior staff including HM Ambassador, HM Trade Commissioner, Consuls General and UK Government Ministers as appropriate;
    • Be persuasive and influential in facilitating relationships with UK companies to support their business development in China through enhanced collaboration between UK companies and Chinese industry partners and government, and;
    • Mentor teams in developing relationships with significant stakeholders to support UK companies to develop their exports as well as a more favourable environment in which to do business.

    Trade and Investment Promotion (30%):

    • Provide strategic leadership for your team and hold responsibility for a series of trade promotion and marketing events to raise the profile and positive perception of the UK’s offer, drawing on knowledge and analysis of consumer and sports trends and developments in China and UK markets and deliver against trade and investment targets
    • Be a visible and proactive leader, motivating your team to grow strong pipelines of trade and investment prospects across your portfolio by focusing them on lead generation activity, including research, events, visits, marketing, and engagement with partners etc. to support the development of a quality pipeline that is aligned to the delivery of tangible commercial success.
    • Analyse the economic return in the medium to long term for all activities and demonstrate sophisticated commercial insight and understanding of the Retail & Sports industries;
    • Ensure the Retail, Sports and wider DIT China team understand and champion the capability and competitive edge of UK Retail and Sports companies, talent and investment opportunities, including latest market developments
    • Leverage maximum trade and investment potential from a heavy programme of Ministerial, VIP visits and other high level bilateral activity (online/offline) with ambitious, future focused market access trade policy and promotion plans
    • Determine strategic marketing and communications campaigns that have the maximum potential to drive economic growth in your sector and shift perceptions about UK global expertise.
    • Coordinate virtual sector teams across the broad DIT network, including colleagues in the UK at HQ as well as regional International Trade Advisor teams, to develop and implement sector plans, and access new resources and leads, and;
    • Facilitate and coordinate team inputs to raise awareness of China opportunities through ITAs, DIT HQ team etc., sign-posting to CBBC services where appropriate.

    Business Environment and Market Access (30%)

    • Develop strong senior relationships with key relevant Chinese Government Ministries and UK Departments including DIT to help overcome strategic trade market access and barriers and navigate the complex political landscape with a clear eye on commercial objectives.
    • Set an ambitious agenda for the next 1, 3 and 5 years that will achieve a step change in terms of trade policy, market access and business environment regulatory shifts in these sectors, ensuring measurable progress is made.
    • Define trade policy and increased market access priorities with crystal clear clarity and a long term perspective to achieve sustainable change in key areas that will create more opportunities for British businesses.
    • Ensure that trade policy, market access and business environment issues identified by your team are strategically prioritised by fostering close collaboration with the in-country Trade Policy Unit. 

    Corporate Contribution (10%)

    • As one of DIT senior leaders in the Consulate other you will play a key role in ensure that DIT and your team in particular will actively and constructively participate in Consulate activities.
    • Promote and contribute to the Consulate’s regional business plan and network values.
    • You will lead a geographically dispersed high quality team across DIT’s network in Beijing, Shanghai Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan and with Hong Kong by having well developed matrix and distance management skills and will encourage close collaboration with FCO and Consulate counterparts.
    • Support the CCL lead in co-ordination with other sectors and the COO, and on cross-cutting corporate issues including business planning, staffing and budgetary matters, and;
    • Create an effective virtual team to enable effective communication, knowledge sharing and collaboration - sharing information and expertise across both internal (China wide and UK HQ) and external networks.
    • Commit to continual learning of self and team, making full use of on the job opportunities to deepen sector knowledge and understanding of the UK capability and UK/China business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to the job. This includes knowledge-sharing with colleagues across DIT and the wider Embassy/Consulates on the Retail and Sports sector and the UK’s strengths within it.

    Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

    Staff team of 7 currently across 4 posts plus team operation budget and marketing budget

    Essential on arrival:

    •  A well-developed background of working within the consumer and retail industries in the UK and/or China is essential. The successful candidate should ideally be a multi-lingual, passionate, self-motivated, tenacious individual with strong commercial acumen and deep existing experience and relationships in the Retail and Sports industries.
    • They will have a strong business development/marketing or operations background preferably gained in an international B2B environment. They will need to thrive in a fast moving, challenging and exciting environment with a focus on delivering demanding commercial outcomes.
    • They will need to have strong policy navigation and government engagement skills to address market access issues and influence policies where needed.
    • The successful candidate will have excellent networking skills, be experienced in relationship managing key clients at C-suite level, able to manage projects and staff remotely and have first rate written/verbal presentation and communication skills. They will need to have an engaging, flexible, outgoing and confident personality and be able to demonstrate passion, charm, vision and influence.
    • IT and administratively self-sufficient. Good IT skills, familiar with MS Office applications.

    Language requirements:

    English  

    Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient              

    Written:  Excellent/Highly Proficient

    Other Languages: Chinese

    Spoken: Basic 

    Written:   Not Required

    The successful post holder will have strong sports knowledge and a well-developed network of contacts with leading industry players within the sports industries gained from a career in either online or offline
    27 September 2021
    Grade 7 (G7)
    Fixed Term, Full-time
    35
    24 months
    Asia Pacific
    China
    Shanghai
    British Consulate General
    1
    CNY
    Chinese: CNY 41,198 ; British: CNY 51,981
    10 November 2021
    9 November 2022

    External Non-Chinese National Candidates

    Due to local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict entry restrictions, applicants who are non-Chinese nationals are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits, or travel into China. Please familiarise yourself with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The British Embassy and Consulates General cannot cover the cost of transport, quarantine or accommodation for applicants who require work permits. 

    We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 41,198/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 51,981/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

    We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

    Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

    There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their investment and trade professionalism.

    In addition, opportunities and activities include:

    • Courses and learning modules offered through the International Trade Profession and Diplomatic Academy.
    • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
    • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, effective remote working and trade policy.
    • Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
    • An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.

    Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

    Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Chinese local employment law.

    No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant. 

    The British Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

    This position is being advertised as a 24 months fixed-term position in Shanghai, and will be extended subject to performance and availability of funding. 

    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. 

    Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. 

    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.

    REMINDER: 

    Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

    Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

    To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

    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.