Main Purpose of the Role:

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, the second highest investment destination in the world, and the world’s sixth largest exporter and the second largest services exporter. 

We employ over 150 people across North America, all dedicated to increasing economic growth to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected. 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 markets; and promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains (see www.gov.uk/DBT). 

This is an exciting and rewarding role leading a small, dynamic team across Canada and represents an opportunity to directly contribute the way the UK Government collaborates and negotiates with Canada on key issues related to Trade and Investment promotion.  The Head of Clean Energy – Canada, will work across the North American Clean Energy (CE) sector, at a time where these markets are significant priorities for both the UK and Canada. The successful individual will account manage some of Canada’s largest companies and will build strong relationships with leaders in the business community to help increase the exposure and presence of Canadian investors in the UK and exporters in Canada. Whilst this sector encompasses the subsectors of nuclear, renewables, carbon capture utilisation & storage, hydrogen, offshore wind, battery storage and waste to energy, this role will be responsible for actively prioritising the subsectors and individual opportunities that offer the most value either for UK exporters or for inward investment into the UK. They will be expected to exercise their sector knowledge and judgement to deploy their resources for maximum impact to the UK economy, in support of Ministerial and HMG priorities.  This will include acting as lead investment/trade officer for the subsectors and/or region that fits your expertise, abilities, and locations.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Management and Leadership

• Forge positive relationships with North America and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key partners.
• Key account management of Canada’s largest companies in the clean energy sector by building positive relationships at multiple levels while coordinating closely with North American colleagues and DBT headquarters in London.
• Be a trusted referrals partner to prospective and existing investors and exports; manage and drive a pipeline of curated investment and export opportunities to successful closure.
• Shape and deliver an ambitious integrated sector business plan for Canada in consultation with stakeholders and wider UK Government Departments.
• Lead and develop an agile Canadian team to curate and deliver a pipeline of high value, high impact, and knowledge-driven investment projects across Canada including setting and overseeing the delivery of targets for the Canadian Clean Energy Team.
• Work closely with the Canadian Country Director to provide regional and corporate leadership, including in support of Consul General Engagement, to develop and deliver regional trade and investment and broader strategies.

Sector Specific Knowledge and Execution

• Provide sector specific expertise across North America, with a focus on the Canadian economy through sharing sector knowledge, fostering strong industry connections and maintaining a detailed understanding of the Canadian economy and political system.
• Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and R&D to the UK.
• Assist high-growth and innovative UK companies and established British businesses to develop Canadian market entry strategies and/or grow Canadian market share; and support established British companies in-market to address any concerns around US trade policy or market access barriers.  
• Seek to influence trade policy in the UK as it relates to the sector by establishing positive relationships and providing expertise and input from the North American market and companies.
• Maintain current knowledge of market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence across Canada and the UK. Promote UK strengths effectively to a North American audience.
• Provide in-person support across North America for major events, VIP/Ministerial visits, or high value investment and export deals.
• Represent the Department for International Trade and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure): 

• Direct line management and strategic leadership of Canadian sector Team (1-2 staff).
• Act as counter-signing manager for the wider office team and provide management support to the post you’re located in (as required)
• Management of team budgets.
• Act as a Senior Reporting Officer for programme activity from multiple funding sources (FCDO Prosperity Fund, UK core events marketing budget, other government stakeholders, commercial sponsorships).

Essential on arrival:      

• Demonstrated professional experience, gained within a business or economic development 
  role.
• Thorough knowledge of the Energy/Clean Energy industry, major companies and trends in Canada and preferably in the UK.
• Proven management and leadership skills with the ability to deliver results through others.
• Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning.
• Proven advisory and influencing skills at senior levels.  
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
• An excellent network of industry contacts and the ability to develop new networks, with senior business and industry leaders.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in Canada, the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.   

Language requirements: 

• English: Fluent oral and written