View Vacancy - Business Development Associate - Advanced Engineering, Manufacturing and United Nations Trade

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. (See www.gov.uk/DIT).

The British Consulate in New York is seeking a qualified Business Development Associate (BDA) for the Advanced Engineering sector and to assist those companies looking to work with the United Nations. The BDA will be based at the British Consulate in New York, supporting a trade and investment officer, and working as part of the Consulate team and part of a US wide virtual team.

The BDA will actively contribute to the team’s strategy by supporting UK companies who export to the US and work with the United Nations, as well as identifying and supporting potential new investors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Proactively identify companies within the sector that would be interested in setting up or expanding their operations in the UK; make initial contact, organize visit programs and schedule company meetings for the Trade & Investment Officer. Attend meetings where appropriate and assist in the management of client relationships
• Conduct research and compile reports on industry developments, best routes to market and potential US business partners for UK companies looking to enter the US market or working with the United Nations.
• Develop, maintain, and disseminate knowledge of developments, trends, and opportunities in the US and the UK.
• Maintain client relationship management records, lists of key industry contacts and other data.
• Provide operational and administrative support to the Trade and Investment Officer, and to the wider team as and when required.
• Ability to use a variety of online and social media tools.
• Support incoming trade missions, networking receptions, visit programs, plan company meetings and introductions and research/produce market reports.
• Support the Trade and Investment Officer in assisting UK companies in developing their market entry strategy and support UK companies already active in Aid-Funded Business in the US market.
• Liaise with internal teams, and external contacts at an executive level, including cold calls and networking at events.

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• 1-3 years professional experience in international business, technology or other related field.
• Proactive, self-starting approach to work with the ability to deliver effectively under limited day-to-day supervision in a deadline-sensitive, fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to problem solve, organize, prioritize and manage tasks.
• Ability to effectively and credibly deal with companies/organizations at a senior level through all forms of communication and a proven track record of fostering business relationships.
• Excellent research and report writing skills – with an ability to identify relevant information and provide clear, concise summaries.
• Strong and enthusiastic networking skills, and the ability to attend early morning and evening events.
• Committed team player, with the ability to build strong connections both within and outside of the Department for International Trade.
• Understanding and knowledge of the business environments in the UK and US.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) is essential; familiarity with data management systems is desirable.
• Ability to undertake travel within the US and the UK.

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 or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. 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. 

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