View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Officer – Clean Energy & Infrastructure (Chicago/DIT)

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

Main purpose of job:

 

An opportunity to join a dynamic team focused on fostering transatlantic business relations between the US and its top economic partner in Europe.

 

The UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to our economy. We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, as well as delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.

 

DIT USA works closely with DIT headquarters in London, with related agencies in the UK and with representatives of the English Regions and the UK’s Devolved Administrations in the US, to assist US companies looking to invest in the UK and help UK companies identify opportunities to trade with the US (see www.gov.uk/DIT).

 

The British Consulate in Chicago is seeking a qualified Trade and Investment Officer (TIO) for the Clean Energy & Infrastructure sector. The TIO will be based at the British Consulate in Chicago and will work across the Clean Energy & Infrastructure (CEI) sector encompassing the subsectors of renewables, carbon capture utilisation & storage, utilities, hydrogen and battery storage, waste to energy and nuclear as well as construction, EV charging, water and transport infrastructure.

 

Reporting to the Regional Director in Chicago, the position presents a unique opportunity to proactively identify export opportunities for market ready UK companies in the CEI sectors to achieve export wins for UK companies, and work with US companies seeking to launch into, or expand in, the UK market. The TIO will work as part of a North America and UK-wide virtual team and is responsible for line managing one Trade & Investment Associate.

 

The successful candidate will need to be a strategic thinker, have strong organisational and effective communication skills, including the ability to work with a large number of remote teams. They will be a self-starter, proactively developing ideas and strategies to deliver the UK Government’s clean energy, infrastructure and climate priorities.


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

·       Forge strong relationships with U.S. and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key partners within the Clean Energy & Infrastructure sector.

·       Identify and support U.S prospects looking to invest in the UK, and relationship manage U.S. companies already active in the UK, helping them to maintain or grow their footprint. Build a pipeline of ambitious projects.

·       Develop, position and implement marketing strategies, conceive activities, and produce events with the goals of generating leads of potential UK investors from the Midwest, building relationships, and highlighting the strengths of the UK’s market offer to such potential investors.

·       Facilitate UK export growth by delivering business development activities to support innovative UK companies, including virtual and in-person trade missions and campaigns at industry conferences.

·       Work to support UK prosperity and economic growth, as well as UK trade policy objectives, in collaboration with other UK government agencies. Identify opportunities to showcase the benefits of the UK/US economic relationship to external audiences.

·       Manage and/or support virtual and in-person visits by senior UK government officials by securing high-level meetings, organizing activities, and preparing briefing materials.

·       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.

Proactively contribute to cross-team activities, programs and support a collaborative and transparent workplace

 

Essential on arrival:

 

•                Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.

•                Relevant professional experience, in international business and/or knowledge of Energy or Renewables industries.

•                Ability to work effectively with companies and organizations at a senior level, with a record of fostering business relationships and a demonstrated ability to think strategically.

•                Familiarity with both the US and the UK business environments.

•                A demonstrable record of meeting challenging targets. Proactive, self-starting approach to work; ability to deliver effectively under limited day-to-day supervision in a deadline sensitive, fast-paced environment.

•                Strong client management and project management experience.

•                Excellent research and writing skills, with an ability to provide clear, concise summaries and to respond to ad hoc requests at short notice.

•                Strong networking skills.

•                Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications and client relationship management software.

Desirable:

 

•                A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.

•                Sound knowledge of the UK’s investment proposition, especially with regard to incorporation, tax, employment, R&D, and skills relevant to the energy, environment, and infrastructure industries

 

25 July 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Chicago
British Consulate General
1
USD
$85,686.00
13 September 2021
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.  
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas. 

When safe to do so, the role will require occasional travel within the US and internationally, including training in the UK, and the job holder must be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions (both during working hours and evenings). 

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
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 committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

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This opportunity is closed to applications.