View Vacancy - Trade Officer

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 post advertised is for a Trade Officer (TO) working with the Consumer Goods sector and based in the British Consulate-General Chicago. This role creates UK jobs by helping UK exporters identify export opportunities and achieve business across a wide range of consumer goods, including food and beverages, household goods, fashion, leisure, luxury goods, and other retail products. The successful candidate will work with diverse clients and stakeholders across the Midwestern United States.

The TO will engage with CEOs, VIPs, business development leads, distributors and others on both sides of the Atlantic, in order to identify opportunities. The TO will work as an integral part of multiple teams, reporting to the Head of Trade & Investment in Chicago, and managing one Business Development Associate. The TO will also work closely with DIT headquarters in London, regional and local colleagues, and representatives of the three Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Main Job Functions:

• Proactively identify opportunities for UK consumer goods/food & beverage companies (especially in premium categories) to export to the U.S.
• Forge strong relationships with potential U.S. business partners (including importers, distributors, and retailers) for UK customers, as well as trade associations.
• Work with the Consumer Goods Sector Lead (based in New York) to champion the UK’s food & drink/retail strategies and to develop/deliver activities that increase awareness of UK consumer brands and help UK exporters achieve business.
• Manage initiatives such as the development and execution of trade missions, receptions and other events.
• Handle of a range of enquiries from UK companies on business and export matters.
• Facilitate and manage visits by senior government officials and other VIPs, including by compiling visit programs and planning company meetings.
• Maintain current knowledge of market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence in both the U.S. and the UK. Promote UK strengths effectively to a U.S. audience.
• Undertake regular travel in the U.S. and occasional travel to the UK (up to 10% of the time).
• Manage one Business Development Associate.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field;
• 6-8 years relevant work experience and/or business development experience in the US and, ideally, the UK;
• Strong client management experience;
• Knowledge and understanding of the U.S. and the UK retail/food & drink business environment;
• Ability to be proactive, organized and work to deadlines, prioritize and multi-task;
• A self-starter, able to prioritise, work independently and show initiative with limited day-to-day supervision while operating as part of a larger team with shared goals and wide-ranging objectives;
• Strong networking skills;
• Demonstrated experience meeting and/or exceeding challenging targets.
• Excellent research, writing and presentation skills. Attention to detail.
• 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.

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 visa holders.[1] If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy and Consulates. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

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