The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Finance, Marketing and Operations Manager, job grade Executive Officer (EO), under the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST). This is for a fixed term contract for one (1) year, with the possibility of renewal.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) is the British Government’s department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. We work with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets and encourage overseas companies to bring their high-quality investment to the UK. DBIST has a network of teams across Saudi Arabia that work closely together to deliver services to UK and Saudi businesses.

This is an exciting and historic time to be in Saudi Arabia. In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has accelerated its Vision 2030 programme of social and economic liberalization to diversify its economy. This programme has driven an almost unprecedented investment in new infrastructure, technologies and skills. Saudi is one of the UK’s most important trading markets in the MEaP region. Therefore, it attracts frequent visits by senior officials and Ministers from DBIST.

This role is a crucial part of the Embassy. The position requires a practical, hands-on approach to ensure DBIST’s functions and processes are efficient, smooth-running and represent good value for money. You will play a key part in high-profile events and marketing campaigns, working with a supportive and collaborative team.

Duties and responsibilities:

– HR and financial management

• Lead on the operational management of DBIST KSA’s day-to-day operating budget, ensuring compliance with DBIST financial policies, procurement rules, and audit requirements.
• Use our Oracle-based financial management tool to monitor actual spend against planned spend on a regular basis. Produce monthly financial reports for senior leadership and provide challenges where needed to stakeholders.
• Act as a key conduit with the British Embassy’s Corporate Services Team and the Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) Hub on all operational matters that includes HR, Learning & Development, platform issues, etc.

– Event and visits management

• Serve as DBIST Riyadh’s Events Manager, coordinating and delivering commercial events for external clients.
• Support trade officers with logistical arrangements for Ministerial and Senior Official visits.
• Coordinate across Embassy teams such as Corporate Services, Security, and Residence Team to ensure logistical plans are in place.
• Lead on the relationship with relevant British business groups, which includes supporting the delivery of their regular events.

– Performance management

• Interrogate data and produce management information (MI) reports and dashboards to monitor DBIST KSA trade and investment performance, using our in-house Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Data tools.

– Marketing

• Lead on marketing and communications for the DBIST Team in Riyadh, coordinating work across the KSA network and liaising with the regional hub in UAE.
• Advise and produce marketing collateral for DBIST events and webinars. Ensure all marketing output aligns with brand guidelines and delivers consistent messaging and measurable outcomes.

– Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify and suggest improvements in processes to enhance efficiencies and quality of delivered results, paying particular attention to any failing KPIs.
• Champion capability and change initiatives to ensure the DBIST KSA team makes full use of digital capability, AI, and data tools to maximise operational efficiencies and strengthen impact.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

• Changing and Improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications, and risks of decisions.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

• Experience of budget and financial management, including proven experience interrogating data and producing management information (MI).
• Experience managing projects, ensuring delivery on time and to budget, whilst also managing risk.
• A strong team player with excellent problem solving and judgement.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong user of IT and Microsoft Office suite.
• Proven experience in marketing and events management.