View Vacancy - SH - Regional Trade Manager, East and West China C5(L)

Main purpose of job:

This is a leadership and business development position - reporting to the Head of Asia Pacific, the post-holder will be Invest Northern Ireland’s (Invest NI) key representative in East and West China region and national lead on a number of key business sectors. They will be based in the British Consulate General Office in Shanghai, and embedded with the sector team of the UK’s Department of International Trade. They will be supported by an existing business development manager. Based on the existing operating structure, the post-holder will report directly to the Head of Asia Pacific Region, currently based in Shanghai.

The primary focus of the position will be business development and to increase Northern Ireland exports across a number of key business sectors by helping Northern Ireland companies with market access and market development in China and Hong Kong. When carrying out their work, the post-holder will be required to forge effective working relationships with a wide range of businesses, stakeholders, senior officials and government representatives.

The post-holder will be the national lead for Advanced Manufacturing Materials & Engineering, Northern Ireland’s most significant business sector in Asia Pacific.  They will oversee the growth of two emerging sectors, Food & Drink and Technology. Linked to Invest NI’s International and Business strategies and the strategies of Invest NI’s sector teams, based in Northern Ireland, and working with our international partners and stakeholders, the post-holder will develop and agree an annual operating plan and objectives that support the growth of Northern Ireland exports in these sectors and ultimately economic growth for Northern Ireland.  They will also be expected to be flexible, and, as required, work across other sectors as part of a small team representing Northern Ireland.

As well as one to one support for Northern Ireland businesses, the post-holder will lead and co-ordinate activities such as marketing events and conferences, represent Invest Northern Ireland at business conferences and speak at events, prepare activity reports summarise information for the Head of Asia Pacific.  A significant part of the role is to undertake research and prepare reports for Northern Ireland companies (market research, location reports, product reports, market access and mode of entry etc.) and provide advice to them. The post holder will also be required to monitor expenditure and deliver activities within a pre-allocated budget. 

The post holder will work closely with the wider Invest NI teams based in its Belfast headquarters, China, Asia Pacific and other locations. The post-holder is also expected to undertake travel on a regular basis, either within China, to the UK and other countries.

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

-       Develop and implement specific national action plans for the following business sectors: Advance Manufacturing Material & Engineering (AMME); Food & Drink and Technology;

-       Develop and implement a regional plan covering the East and West China region to promote Northern Ireland, by supporting colleague across the Invest NI/NI Bureau and DIT/FCO network in China that are leading on other business sectors and areas of business to increase export sales and secure investment wins for Northern Ireland, and promote Northern Ireland as a study location;

-       Proactively identify relevant business opportunities across all business sectors for Northern Ireland companies through market intelligence, connections and research and promote the Northern Ireland capability to key decision makers;

-       Develop strong C-level relationships with targeted companies, stakeholders and influencers in the region and enable Northern Ireland companies to engage with them;

-       Build strong relationships within the British Consul General office in Shanghai, the UK Department of International Trade (DIT), British Council, Northern Ireland government representatives and other key stakeholders / business organisations and where appropriate work on joint planning and delivery of events;

-       Engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders based in Northern Ireland to provide market and sector briefings and to ensure that activity in the market aligns with corporate plans;

-       Support Northern Ireland companies interested in the region by providing information they require to make informed business decisions by handling market research and assessment enquiries, conducting visits and setting up appointments and writing appropriate reports;

-       Manage in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions;

-       Co-ordinate VIP (including Ministerial delegations) visit programmes to Shanghai / East China, prepare briefing and manage the necessary logistics and protocols;

-       Support business delegations by providing English / Chinese translations in an effective manner as required;

-       Develop a network of Northern Ireland ex-pats living / working in the region and work with Northern Irish Connections to lever economic returns to Northern Ireland;

-       Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s CRM and management systems.

-       Lead a small team in Shanghai and work effectively in partnership with wider teams based in Northern Ireland, China, Asia Pacific and other locations. Prepare reports (including activity / performance / market reports) accurately and timely for management and clients.  

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

The post-holder will manage one member of staff, who will also be located in the British Consul General Office in Shanghai. The post-holder will be responsible for managing a pre-allocated budget appropriate to the agreed regional plan and national business sector plan. The post-holder will be expected to make decisions delegated to him/her by the Head of Asia Pacific, and act within Invest NI policies and guidelines.

The post-holder will be required to liaise actively and regularly with the China, Asia Pacific and other Invest Northern Ireland offices. 

**Due to time difference with the UK, the post-holder may be required to work some evenings in order to meet deadlines or attend conference calls.

• Educated to degree level ideally in a business or related function;
• Highly Proficient in spoken and written English
• Highly Proficient in spoken and written Chinese/Mandarin
• A significant and successful track record in Business Development, including market research, analysing market data, preparing reports, presenting information to clients and securing sales / commercial outputs;
• A sound commercial knowledge of China and the business opportunities across business sectors outlined above, being aware of the issues and solutions relating to doing business in this region;
• Over 7 years’ working experience in a private or public sector organisation, with relevant and current experience in one of the following business sectors: Advance Manufacturing & Engineering; Food & Drink or Technology
• Experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships at senior levels with excellent; communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively with business contacts and colleagues in the UK, China and other locations;
• Excellent organisational, IT and administrative skills;
• Successful team management experience, an effective and responsible leader;
• Ability to work at pace and independently as part of a remote team; and to prioritise and manage an often heavy workload in a multi-location environment and liaising with team members in these locations.