View Vacancy - AUS (Open in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Canberra) - Director of Investment Australia & New Zealand, C5(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

Main purpose of job:
This is an exciting time to join the British Government team in Australasia. The work we do has a real impact on jobs and growth across the United Kingdom and Australasia. Our mission is to help businesses export, drive inward and outward investment, negotiate market access and trade deals, and to champion free trade.  The UK and Australia have signed an Agreement in Principle (AIP) for our Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the FTA negotiations with New Zealand is making good progress. These present a unique opportunity in our bi-lateral relationships with Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) to build broader and deeper economic ties.

A key member of the senior leadership team, The Director of Investment is responsible for strategic planning and day-to-day management of the work of the UK Department of International Trade inward direct foreign investment and capital team in ANZ. You will lead a talented and dynamic team focusing on investment work that will drive higher quantity and quality of capital and direct investment into the UK from ANZ.  The UK is the second largest destination for outward direct investment from ANZ and you will work to ambitious targets to retain/ grow this position. 

The role will involve support – both personally and through the team – of ANZ companies wishing to invest or expand in the UK. It includes the strategic account management of major existing inward investors and the promotion of investment opportunities in UK infrastructure to Institutional Investors including the major Super and Sovereign Wealth Funds.  The Director also plays a key role in the network of DIT investment directors in countries in the Asia Pacific region.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, parenting, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.

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

  • Strategic planning: the Director provides strategic direction to the inward investment effort in Australia and New Zealand. This requires close liaison with regional colleagues and DIT’s HQ in London on business planning and resource bids and the implementation of new strategic and change initiatives. The Director is then responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of the inward investment team to ensure that resources are deployed effectively to meet agreed targets and wider objectives. The Director will also contribute to the wider APAC region’s business plan and will work alongside fellow market Heads of Investment to deliver on this plan. The Regional Business Plan will be overseen by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to Asia Pacific, based in Singapore.
  • Delivery: the Director will have an important client-facing role in his / her own right which will involve interaction with senior executives in a wide range of businesses including major existing investors in the UK, early stage companies with innovative technologies and products and the key institutional fund managers. It will also involve support for the team in their interactions with these businesses to ensure high standards of key account management.
  • Networking: the Director will be an integral part of the DIT Asia Pacific investment team and will need to develop and maintain close and effective working relationships with colleagues across the region as well as in the UK, other UK inward investment agencies (e.g. those representing the Devolved Administrations and London & Partners) and key multipliers (e.g. the Australian British Chamber of Commerce), State Governments and other service providers. The successful candidate will also need to engage with HM Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific (in Singapore) and other senior colleagues in the region, senior management at the British High Commissions in both Canberra and Wellington in support of the UK Government’s wider prosperity agenda. Given the high profile of some investors the Director will need to lead on and provide briefing for ministerial meetings.
  • Collaboration: As a senior member of the DIT leadership team the Director will need to leverage synergies across the wider UK government team in ANZ including - the Trade team, the digital trade network team, science and innovation and so on. The UK is hosting COP 26 this year and there will be a focus on green investment and finance, the Director will need to work creatively with the Climate Team to deliver impactful and influential activities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The Director is responsible overall for a team of around 8 people and the direct line management of 3 full-time staff. This involves the leadership of a diverse team based in a number of different locations (which requires, inter alia, the proper implementation of appraisal and other management processes). The Director also has overall responsibility for the accurate forecasting and managing of budgets.

Essential on arrival:

  • Undergraduate degree or higher and a minimum of 5-10 years relevant work experience in a leadership capacity. 
  •  Established network of contacts in the Australian and New Zealand business communities and an understanding of Australian/New Zealand business culture.
  • Experience of managing and liaising  with clients at C-suite level
  • Proven capability in leading  diverse  business  development, client  services  and  project  teams
  • First rate written and spoken communication skills

Language requirements:  

Language: English

Level of language required: Native speaker

  • Knowledge of business and international trade in a government-business context
  • Prior experience in an investment attraction role
19 September 2021
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Permanent
38
Asia Pacific
Australia
Perth
British Consulate General
1
AUD
AUD 130,358 per annum + annual leave loading and 11% superannuation
12 November 2021

Salary is at AUD 130,358 per annum + annual leave loading and 11% superannuation

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

The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the FCDO Diplomatic Academy. There are opportunities to job-shadow other staff, and the successful applicant will be encouraged to take part in broader British High Commission's activities. The British High Commission is committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and partners/dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Australia and candidates with local permit/right to work in Australia.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Australia 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.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount. 

Working patterns:

This role is not suitable for part time working. Other flexible working arrangements can be discussed.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”

Applications must include a current CV.

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. 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 check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.

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.