View Vacancy - Sector Director, Defence, Security and Space, North America – (Maternity Leave Cover) - Canada

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 Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Main Purpose of Job:

Be part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a mature, high spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, and the second highest investment destination in the world.  The UK is also the world’s sixth largest exporter and the second largest services exporter. 

We employ over 150 people across North America, all united by our vision of a future where we champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in the UK and around the world.  We seek talented team members with the passion and drive to help us in our mission to build a global appetite for British goods and services; drive investment; negotiate trade deals and open up markets; improve international trading standards and fight unfair trading practices (see www.gov.uk/DIT).  

The temporary Sector Director, Defence, Security and Space, North America provides agile and visible leadership of a 16-person sector team across North America to ensure sector delivery of the North America network’s strategy and objectives. The role sets and implements the UK’s strategy for increasing transatlantic trade and investment in Defence, Security and Space, represents the UK Government in a range of high-profile settings and is a valued contributor to the regional team.  The job holder is also responsible for aligning DBT’s work in North America with other UK Government Departments including our UK HQ team, HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office.

Roles and Responsibilities:

As the Sector Director, Defence, Security and Space, North America, you will:

  • Lead and develop an agile and effective Defence, Security and Space sector team.
  • Shape and deliver an ambitious integrated sector business plan in consultation with stakeholders and wider UK Government Departments.
  • Using the reach of the UK Government, seek to influence effective trade policies in the UK, Canada and the US as it relates to the Defence, Security and Space industries.
  • Regularly review progress against targets to ensure effective delivery by team.
  • Using your expertise, drive strategic discussion and planning with UK-based counterparts and UK Government.
  • Work with partners on the UK Government’s broader priorities in North America, including Trade Agreements, the UK’s climate ambitions and the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda to build long-term strategic economic initiatives.
  • Provides in-person support across North America for major events, VIP/Ministerial visits (including cabinet level ministers), or high value investment and export deals.
  • Key account management of existing and potential high value investors and trade partners, using business intelligence to influence business planning.
  • Work with marketing team to develop digital campaigns and PR to highlight successful investments and UK export deals, and showcase UK leadership and innovation.
  • Manage budget and make resource recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Any other duties as assigned.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Strategic leadership of the Defence, Security and Space sector team of 16 people.
  • Financial responsibility for multiple programme activities that include other Government stakeholders and involve commercial sponsorships. 
  • Management of business development budget.
  • Demonstrated professional experience gained within business development or economic development role, ideally in the Defence, Security and Space industries.
  • In-depth knowledge of the Defence, Security and Space industry, major companies and trends in the US and Canada - and preferably in the UK.
  • Excellent management and leadership skills with the ability to deliver results through others.
  • Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning.
  • Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
  • Proven advisory and influencing skills at senior levels.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • An excellent network of industry contacts and the ability to develop new networks with senior business and industry leaders.
  • An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy. 
  • An in-depth knowledge of the US and the Canadian economies.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Developing Self and Others, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture
5 December 2023
Grade 7 (G7)
Full-time, Fixed Term
37.5
6 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Canada
Ottawa, Toronto
British Consulate
1
CAD
CAD $ 123,825.13
yearly
22 January 2023

Learning and Development Opportunities:

The British High Commission and its Canada Network is committed to ongoing learning and development needs of all employees. We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

As a valued member of our team we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Working Patterns:

This role is 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. The consulate does not have a long working hours culture. The UK in Canada Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

The British High Commission and its Canada Network of Consulates embraces hybrid working.  Flexible working options available upon approval of line manager. The British Consulate’s current policy asks staff to work in the office 40-60% of time, with the remainder available to work from home. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

  • Able to be located in/relocate to Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal.
  • Be willing to represent DBT and the British Consulate at external functions (during working hours and very occasionally evenings).
  • Be willing to undertake occasional travel in North America and to the UK.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

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.