View Vacancy - Business Development Executive (FRA18.115)
The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Development Executive - Technology and Adv. Engineering (TAE) to join the SDI - Scottish Development International Team.
In October 2016, Scotland’s First Minister announced that SDI’s resources in Europe would ‘double the number of SDI staff working across Europe’. This position has been identified as one of the additional staff roles which are being created across Europe. Each post is being recruited for a fixed-term appointment.
The purpose of this role is to increase and widen the on-the-ground support available to Scottish technology and engineering companies who have the ambition, capacity and capability to export their products and/or services into France.
Responsibilities:
- Explore better ways to engage Scottish tech companies already operating in/exporting to France to help them achieve greater international revenues and exports;
- Explore (cross-sector-) opportunities, e.g. Technology in Life Sciences, Food and Drink, Energy etc;
- Develop a deep understanding of the routes to market, business environment and regulatory framework to support trade development activities. Provision of trade advice and guidance to individual Scottish companies wishing to access France as a trade market and ultimately to increase their international revenues from exports;
- Identify and scope specific and evidence-based supply chain and other export opportunities in France;
- Identify opportunities to support Scottish tech companies with an interest in the French market;
- Explore (tech subsector) markets to understand key influencers (private and public sector) including trade organisations who can support engagement into key commercial opportunities;
- Look for innovative approaches to engage in these markets and identify accelerators, intermediaries, associations and networks that will support Scottish tech companies’ individual international growth plans and strategy;
- Identify events, conferences and organisations who could contribute and support trade missions of Scottish tech companies looking to do business in France;
- Work in partnership with colleagues in SDI, in Scotland and in France, to support the successful delivery of trade events;
- Contribute proactively to market intelligence and strategy for the tech sector in France, and build collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including Scottish Government colleagues who will be establishing themselves within our Scottish ‘Hub’ office in Paris;
- Identify and attend sector specific trade shows, exhibitions and conferences in the region, reporting opportunities, trends and findings to tech sector teams and companies as appropriate.
Other:
- Support and leverage visits into the region by Scottish Ministers and senior colleagues to ‘open doors’ and strengthen (business-) relationships at the very highest levels with key customers, associations and stakeholders.
The post-holder should expect proactively to spend a significant amount of time out of the office in direct customer and client facing activity.The post holder will report to the Paris based Regional Manager. Travel to Scotland for training and sector development activities is expected on a regular basis. Attendance at business events outside of core working hours.
- Fluent English and French (both written and spoken);
- A relevant degree level qualification (or equivalent level of experience);
- Previous relevant experience in international trade and broad knowledge of the Digital and Technology Sector globally;
- Understanding the Technology and Digital market in France and Scotland e.g. Creative, Digital, ICT, FinTech anf the key businesses and networks operating therein;
- Understanding of how to set up and do business in France;
- Ability to provide business and trade development support to international companies on a 1-to-1 basis;
- Proven customer relationship management skills, with ability to demonstrate a high level of confidence and credibility in dealing with senior business contacts;
- Proven ability to manage a portfolio of projects with significant impact/complexity and/or track record of delivering results/success in a consultative sales environment;
- Business Development Experience;
- Knowledge/understanding of the drivers for international trade/exports;
- Dynamic self-starter, with a high level of initiative, resilience, project and personal management skills;
- Ability to develop strong networks across a variety of internal and external partners and stakeholders
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills;
- Demonstrate a strong sense of teamwork and ability to work collaboratively and successfully across virtual teams to achieve common objectives;
- IT literate and comfortable using MS Office platform and DynamicsCRM;
- Previous experience of working within an international trade promotion related role;
- Knowledge and experience of working in the specific region is extremely desirable;
This is a full-time, fixed-term contract for 18 months, 35 hours per week.
Start date expected 14 May 2018, however, the jobholder should be available to start as soon as possible.
All appointments are subject to professional background check and 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.
The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorization for France in order to apply. Applications must clearly indicate all nationalities held by candidates.
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.
Also be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
