View Vacancy – Business Development Manager, Invest Northern Ireland (BEL20.387)

Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.

Invest NI is the regional business development agency for Northern Ireland. Invest NI’s role is to grow the local economy.  We do this by helping new and existing businesses in Northern Ireland to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland.  We are part of the Department for the Economy and provide strong government support for business by effectively delivering the Government’s economic development strategies.

This is a business development role, based in the Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) office in Brussels (co-located with the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels) and reporting to the Regional Director, Benelux. The post-holder will be assigned the sector of ‘Smart Cities’ in which he/she will be responsible for developing the knowledge and network in the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and, reactively, France, to draw a targeted group of clients to market as part of the trade strategy for Invest NI. There will be an element of office support in the job as Invest NI opens a Business Hub for Northern Irish companies in Brussels.

This function will focus on delivering trade opportunities for Northern Irish companies in the sector of Smart Cities in the Benelux markets; Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg (and, reactively, France). The position is responsible for working seamlessly with the ITA (International Trade Advisor based in Belfast) to develop and deliver the Benelux Smart Cities trade strategy for Invest NI. This should involve proactively identifying relevant business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies through building out a targeted network, undertaking market intelligence and research.

In further detail, the role should work to match opportunities for Northern Ireland companies offering technology solutions in the Smart Cities space and capable of selling in the Benelux region and pulling them through to deliver sales via targeted business opportunities. This will involve building out a network of key cities, Construction and Engineering companies, Telcos, Energy companies and other relevant bodies in the Benelux who have open opportunities that the identified NI companies can compete for. The BDM should be proactive in sharing information and business opportunities to allow Northern Irish companies to make informed business decisions, compete for business and ultimately grow their sales

To deliver these outcomes, the BDM will undertake focused market research, also using the trade advisor consultancy and DIT (Department for International Trade) resources, where relevant, attend and network at relevant events, host meetings and visits and be proactive in organising sector based activities (e.g. seminars, briefings, etc.) showcasing Northern Ireland excellence in Smart Cities.

As we work to launch a Business Hub for Northern Irish companies to work from Brussels, the post-holder will play a support role to ensure the Hub is operational and work in partnership with the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive (ONIEB) to deliver and support the Hub and the Invest NI office, managed by the Regional Director.

In summary, the anticipated breakdown of the role:

• Trade and export (80%): ownership, market development and delivery of Smart Cities opportunities across the 3 Benelux countries and, reactively, France. For trade this would be 30% network development with key accounts, researching and flagging business opportunities to priority companies, 30% delivery of trade services to include TAS (Trade Advisory Service) and TMEs (Trade Market Enquiries) and in-market support to NI companies such as visits and briefings, 10% developing relationship with DIT and working on relevant opportunities in partnership and 10% event management and attendance.
• Office support (20%): as we complete the Hub and focus on marketing this. Working with the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive and INI HQ/ Operations.

Additionally, the post-holder will be required to develop positive working relationships with the UK Department for International Trade (DIT), Northern Ireland government representatives, business and trade organisations and work effectively with others to gather market intelligence and insights, and communicate them.

The post-holder will maintain data on the internal CRM system, prepare monthly returns and activity reports as required, and submit them on a timely basis.

The post-holder is expected to undertake travel occasionally (Covid-permitting), within the Benelux countries, to the UK and also to other countries as required by the management team.

 Roles and responsibilities:

• Work in close partnership with the International Trade Advisor, based in Belfast, and relevant sector-focused colleagues;
• Proactively identify relevant business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies in the Smart Cities sector through market intelligence, connections, networking and research;
• Undertake market research, prepare sector briefings and assist Northern Ireland companies in the Smart Cities sector to increase export sales;
• Develop and deliver the in-market trade strategy to promote Northern Ireland capability in Smart Cities which contributes to the overall goals of the European territory;
• Provide in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions, including the arrangement / procurement and management of the necessary logistics and protocols;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships within the British Embassy, DIT, Northern Ireland government representatives, a wide range of stakeholders and businesses;
• Provide an office support role, including for the new business hub;
• Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s CRM and management systems. Prepare reports (including activity / performance / market reports) accurately and timely for management and clients;
• Work effectively and in partnership with wider teams based in Europe and Northern Ireland and other locations.

• Fluent written and spoken English  (C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)and business level written and spoken French and/or Dutch (B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• Educated to University degree or equivalent experience;
• Over 3 years’ work experience in a private or public sector organisation;
• Experience in undertaking market research, analysing market data, preparing reports, presenting information to team/ clients and helping them to achieve positive commercial outcomes;
• Sound commercial and business sector knowledge, particularly in areas such as Technology, Construction & Engineering, Energy, Innovation and/or Telecoms
• Good networking skills, experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships across all levels of businesses;
• Attention to detail, excellent organisational, IT and administrative skills;
• Ability to work at pace and independently as part of a remote team;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).