View Vacancy - Regional Manager-SDI - Scottish Development International (FRA18.118)
The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network (including offices in Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseilles and representation to international organisations in Paris (OECD and UNESCO) and Strasbourg (CoE).
The British Embassy is currently looking for a Regional Manager to work in SDI - Scottish Development International. SDI is responsible for attracting foreign direct investment into Scotland and helping Scottish companies to do business internationally.
From a geographical perspective, the Paris based Regional Manager has responsibility for SDI’s trade & investment work across Southern Europe which includes Paris (one of SDI’s largest offices with 9 FTEs) as well as SDI’s new presence and employees in Madrid, Barcelona, Brussels, Milan, The Hague – plus another 2 FTEs still to be recruited as part of SDI’s recent EU expansion. Therefore, the post-holder will be responsible for a team of 15 FTEs.
As a market, Southern Europe generates 55% of Scotland’s total exports to the EU and it is critically important we do everything we can to protect, and where possible grow, exports as we transition towards BREXIT. Providing strong leadership, direction and coaching to our new EU colleagues will be an important area of focus for the Regional Manager over the next 2 years.
The Regional Manager will also be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues in the Scottish Government who will shortly co-locate with SDI as part of the new Innovation & Investment Hub approach in Paris. Managing this transition and fostering a culture of collaborative working will require focus, tact and diplomacy.
- Lead, manage and coach the SDI Southern Europe team based in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and Brussels to maximise the economic opportunity for Scotland from the Region
- Participate as a member of the EMEA Regional Management Team, and lead the team’s relationships with colleagues in Scotland and elsewhere.
- Lead on the development and implementation of an integrated sales and marketing plan for the Region which targets the region’s top companies consistent with our sector priorities and the specific opportunities to do business with/in Scotland.
- Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key partner organisations, including the Dept for International Trade (DIT) throughout the Region.
- Lead on the operational planning process for Region across all priority sectors.
- Manage the effective and efficient running of our offices, ensuring full compliance with local registration, and ensure legal and labour law requirements are met in conjunction with our appointed global advisers.
- Provide excellent administrative management of our resources, ensuring that value for money is achieved at all times.
- Highly developed resonant leadership experience.
- Significant International sales and marketing experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills, with the confidence to establish relationships at the highest possible levels including Scottish and Foreign Ministers.
- Previous experience of budget management and a strong grasp of the financial side of operations. A clear understanding of public accountability is also essential.
- Ability to ensure the operations are compliant with corporate governance, legal requirements, taxation issues and the labour law requirements in country.
- Previous experience of complex project management.
- Ability to operate throughout Southern Europe region and to other overseas locations if required.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with a high level of confidence and competence in operating at a senior level.
- Ability to work well under pressure to tight deadlines in a highly challenging and demanding environment.
- Sensitivity and awareness of different cultures relevant to this role.
This is a full-time and permanent position.
All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at www.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.
Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:
- Your application must be sent in English only.
- Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
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.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
