View Vacancy – Head of Technology and Life Sciences DBT (FRA26-004842)
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Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
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Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
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Who We Are:
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Embassy in France plays a central role in supporting the UK Government’s priority of driving sustainable economic growth through international trade and inward investment. We work to strengthen Franco‑British commercial ties, supporting UK exports to France and attracting French investment into the UK by improving market access, promoting the UK’s trade policy interests, and building strong partnerships with business and government stakeholders.
DBT France operates from the British Embassy in Paris and our office in Lyon. You will join a welcoming and dynamic team of around 25 colleagues, focused on deepening commercial links with France, the UK’s fifth‑largest trading partner and investor.
The Role
DBT France is recruiting a Head of Technology and Life Sciences to lead our work in two strategically important and fast‑moving sectors.
This is a senior, high‑profile role suited to an ambitious and driven individual who can combine strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery. You will lead a small, dynamic team of two, manage complex pipelines of trade and investment activity, and work closely with senior stakeholders across government and industry in both France and the UK.
The successful candidate will thrive in a fast‑paced, international environment, demonstrate strong commercial judgement, and be motivated to maximise the opportunities this role offers to drive tangible economic impact.
What You Will Do
The jobholder will be expected to achieve the following:
- Lead, manage and motivate a team of two, overseeing DBT France’s technology and life sciences campaigns and ensuring delivery against ambitious objectives
- Develop and implement a clear sector strategy to maximise high‑value French direct and indirect investment into the UK, and to grow UK exports to France
- Build, grow and consolidate pipelines of potential French investors and UK exporters, prioritising the most impactful opportunities
- Provide expert advice and briefings to senior officials and ministers, including the Ambassador, on the strategic relationship management of priority companies
- Act as the key link between your team and: DBT France Senior Leadership Team; Other DBT France teams; UK‑based sector and policy teams and Embassy colleagues and other UK Government Departments
- Ensure strong coordination, communication and information‑sharing, identifying synergies across teams and activities
- Programme manage your team’s work, including milestones, people, and resources, to deliver agreed ambitions
- Identify, manage and mitigate risks, spotting emerging opportunities and escalating issues where appropriate
- Deliver, personally and through your team, high‑quality outputs, including performance reporting, submissions and briefings
- Lead responses to ad‑hoc requests and commissions from colleagues across the Embassy and DBT teams in the UK relating to your sectors
- Support delivery through a wide range of activities such as facilitating in‑market introductions, project‑managing commercially focused events, and researching sector, policy and market‑access developments
We are seeking a candidate with:
- A proven ability to deliver against commercial or economic objectives
- Strong leadership and people‑management capability
- experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities under tight deadlines
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders, including ministers and business leaders
- The ability to see the bigger picture, deliver at pace and work collaboratively across organisations
What We Offer:
- Real responsibility and exposure at senior levels
- A dynamic and collegiate working environment
- Opportunities to collaborate on cross‑cutting priorities such as economic relations, science and innovation, and communications and outreach
- A strong commitment to professional learning and development
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Our ideal candidates shows:
- Full professional proficiency in English and French, including excellent writing skills at a minimum of C1 Level according to CEFR*
- 2 to 3 years of relevant work experience in business development and/or international trade
- 2 to 3 years of demonstrable experience in team leadership and/or project management
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with stakeholders, commercial clients, external contacts, and a wide and diverse Embassy team
- Strong ability to develop, mobilise and coordinate networks
- Drive and enthusiasm combined with the ability to deliver working as part of a team
- Able to deal with a range of competing priorities in a calm, efficient and professional manner, with a keen eye for detail, working independently to pick up and master complex issues at pace
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Nice to have:
- Experience working in technology or life sciences sectors
- Experience of working in an international environment, representing their organisation in an international context
- Experience of working on market access issues, industrial policy or trade policy
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Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
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7 May 2026
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Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
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Full-time, Permanent
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35
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Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
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France
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Lyon, Paris
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British Embassy
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1
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EUR
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5,883 EUR Gross
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monthly
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1 July 2026
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This is a full-time, permanent contract. The position is based on a 35/h week. The monthly salary is 5,883€ (gross). In addition, staff receives meal contribution.
Europe DBT network and the British Embassy in Paris are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:
- Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, and job shadowing.
- Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;
- An equal, diverse and engaged workplace.
- Work-life balance.
All appointments are subject to professional background check 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 https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Paris 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.
The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.
The start date mentioned in the advert is just an expected start date. The appointment can start earlier or later depending on several factors.
Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Staff: Line management of two full time members of staff
Budget: c.12,500€
The British Embassy in Paris and DBT offer learning and development opportunities throughout the year and has a strong ethos of Learning and Development. In addition, there will be opportunities to learn on the job by attending external seminars, sectoral trade shows and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all Embassy staff. Interns, like all new joiners, will need to complete some short mandatory training courses upon arrival.
Learning and Development opportunities: The France Network puts a very strong emphasis on L&D and the jobholder will be able to benefit from opportunities offered by the International Academy and civil service learning, as well as informal opportunities within the Embassy on topics.
The DBT France network has a strong ethos of Learning & Development, including internal L&D courses and a budget that can be used for external opportunities. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all staff.
The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the British Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s through the France network and supporting the British Embassy’s positive working environment.
Working Pattern: The position is based on a 35- hour working week.
This is a full-time position. Our team works flexibly, including some time working remotely. However, in line with current policy, the job holder will be expected to be in the office at least 60% of the week – and more often when required e.g. during events or when filming is required.
Equal employment
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe and the FCDO France Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.
Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
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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.
Please 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.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
The British Embassy Paris wants to create a diverse, inclusive and friendly environment in which people can perform at their best because they feel supported; are able to be themselves in the workplace; and have opportunities to develop and grow. We want all our colleagues, regardless of grade, background or experience, to share our strong sense of purpose and ambition to deliver the best possible outcomes.
We know that diversity of background, experience and thought will help us achieve our goals. We actively encourage applications from colleagues from Minority Ethnic and underrepresented backgrounds and from groups with protected characteristics.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
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To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
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