View Vacancy - CQ - Senior Trade and Investment Manager, C4(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)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main purpose of job:

This is a challenging and stretching role that will suit a commercially driven and proactive trade and investment professional to work for the Department of International Trade as Senior Trade and Investment Manager based in Chengdu whilst retaining strong links to Chongqing. In this increasingly important geographical region of South West China you will work across the so called ‘Lifestyle Sectors’ with a focus on Education, as well as identifying and progressing opportunities in Consumer & Retail, Creative Industries & Sport, Agriculture Food & Drink, and building insight on Financial Services potential in Chengdu. You will play a key role in advancing the strategic trade and investment ambitions of the Regional Trade Plan for China of which the primary three objectives are:

  • Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.
  • Objective 2 – Strengthened trade policy engagement with China to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals
  • Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investors, and providing strong support for UK investors

As Senior Trade and Investment Manager you will lead on the management of a mixed portfolio of trade and inward investment projects across a number of commercial sectors from inception to completion, as well as qualifying and developing new projects. You will develop a network of senior client relationships and engage private and public sector stakeholders in the process to ensure that clients’ needs are effectively met.

A key part of this will be to identify key business environment challenges and market access issues that are impacting the ability for British businesses ability to trade successfully with China. You will work closely with DIT China and HQ sector teams, and the Trade Policy Unit (TPU) in China to provide insight and intelligence on trade policy issues that may be impacting trading potential and will engage with other partners across the region.

In addition, you will be part of the One HMG Consulate team and be expected to contribute fully to Consulate and corporate initiatives as well as working with internal and external partners such as the British Council, British Chamber of Commerce (South West) and with our business support delivery partner, the China Britain Business Council (CBBC).

Working collaboratively with the DIT Marketing and Communications team in China you will support a range of strategic marketing campaigns and activities that optimally promotes the UK and Global Britain ambitions to maximise business opportunities between UK and Chinese companies and help to drive market perception shifts.


Role and Responsibilities:

(40%) Achieve commercial outcomes across the so called ‘Lifestyle sectors’ by working closely with the Education team, Consumer & Retail team, Agriculture Food and Drink team and Regional Head of Infrastructure, Creative Industries (inc Sport), plus with the Financial Services team, developing the strategic approach needed for South West China to achieve business plan aims.  Proactively identify and develop trade and investment projects across these sectors, including maintaining and developing strategic relationships and developing best in class SRM plans as required. 


  • Grow strong pipeline of trade and investment prospects to ensure lead generation activity (including research, events, visits, marketing, engagement with partners etc) supports the development of a quality pipeline that is aligned to the delivery of RTP ambitions
  • Provide high level client management services to assist businesses exporting to China and setting up in the UK, providing high value-added advice and information and make introductions as required to the private and public sectors
  • Generate and pursue leads and projects to ensure as high a conversion rate as possible to successful trade deals or inward investments into the UK
  • Develop and deliver important visit programmes by Chinese companies and/or appropriate Government officials to the UK and similarly UK visits to China, conducting timely and effective follow up action as needed
  • Maintain accurate and up to date records and provide information required for external and internal reporting requirements
  • Undertake any other projects or special assignments which may from time to time be required in support of DIT business agend

(30%) Develop business environment, market access, regulatory understanding and trade policy knowledge of the sectors that you cover to provide timely accurate and evidence based input into the Trade Policy Unit (TPU) strategic work to improve market access. Undertake market research, process and present relevant market intelligence.  Identify and research opportunities to build relationships with key companies in China and the UK, including intermediaries, trade associations and Government departments in order to understand their business challenges, as well as the general business environment. 


(20%) Build the expanded DIT trade regional presence with a particular focus on Chengdu by developing and delivering a range of business development campaigns, events and meetings etc with associated media and marketing campaigns to raise awareness of UK strengths and investment opportunities. Maximise the knowledge and strength of partners across the region to amplify both reach and messaging.


(10%) Contribute fully to the effective operations of the Consulate, participating in any Consulate and corporate initiatives as required. Undertake any other projects or special assignments which may from time to time be required in support of DIT business agenda and with DIT HQ Team in London. Provide support as needed by British Chamber, CBBC, British Council and other partners.


 

  • Education: Graduate degree or equivalent professional experience/qualification
  • Specific role experience: Good knowledge of one or more of China and UK’s Education, Consumer & Retail, Agriculture Food & Drink sectors.

  • IT: knowledge of internet research, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, CRM and Powerpoint is necessary Knowledge of CRM would be an advantage.
  • Strong international or Chinese business development/sales and marketing background
  • Excellent networking skills, be experienced in relationship managing key clients
  • An adaptable self-starter with enthusiasm and energy able to work alone as well as in a team.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Proven organisational ability
  • Language: Excellent/ High Proficient in spoken and written English, Native in spoken and written Mandarin

Understanding of Financial services Sector and South West China.

Demonstrable sales experience, preferably gained in an international business-to-business sales environment.

The ideal candidate will be capable of displaying the following competencies :

  • Creative: thinks creatively in order to devise new solutions in response to business challenges; identifies new opportunities; generates new ideas for clients; anticipates client needs.
  • Collaborative: works as a pro active team manager, sharing information and expertise; encourages and supports other team members; provides direction for teams; responds positively to others contributions.
  • Commercially Aware: Has business acumen; identifies commercial opportunities; tests and analyses opportunities; enables teams to exploit them
  • Resourceful: prioritises multiple tasks and project manages effectively in a fast moving, client-driven environment;; works through project problems to ensure programmes continues as planned.
  • Results Driven: meets deadlines and achieves objectives; encourages others to do so; drive to succeed; meets and exceeds targets; takes responsibility; maintains high standard of work; ensures objectives (individual or team) contribute to organisational goals
  • Engaging: communicates effectively and creates relationships with people, regardless of their role; adapts communications to audience needs; builds and maintains relationships with contacts from different cultural or corporate environments.
  • Flexible: adapts to a rapidly changing environment; copes well with the unexpected; takes pragmatic not perfectionist approach to getting things done.
27 January 2019
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Asia Pacific
China
Chongqing
British Consulate General
1
CNY
24,656
18 February 2019

There is plenty of opportunity to develop on the job, and to establish expertise on trade policy. Specific areas and activities include:

-       Courses and materials and offered by the trade / prosperity academy of the Diplomatic Academy

-       Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc

-       Taking part in learning sets with Embassy colleagues

-       Embassy Leadership Programmes


We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross salary (before all deductions) is CNY 24,656 / month for Chinese Nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 32,168 / month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

All applications must be received before 11:55PM (China Standard Time) on 27 January 2019.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.