Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT
Main purpose of job:
The Department for International Trade (DIT) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets and encourage the best companies from the US to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. You will act as a regional specialist overseas champion for the English Midlands region. This forms part of the UK government’s agenda to increase trade and investment support in the UK regions and to level-up the UK economy.
DIT’s network in the United States is a high performing and highly respected team of experts spread across 9 cities, covering all 50 states. The US is consistently the most important bilateral trading partner for the UK and its most important source of inward investment.
You will lead on promoting Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing and Food & Drink investment into the Midlands Engine region of the UK, while having regard to the ‘UK First’ principle. You will be mobile across the 14 state Midwest region, covered by the Chicago Consulate (CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD & WI). You will work closely with the UK Regions Investment hubs, DIT Sector teams, regional specialists, IST (Investment Services Team) and local partners to achieve this, as well as the existing four person Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing team in Chicago.
The successful job holder will work with companies from the broad cross spectrum of Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing and Food & Drink including, but not limited to, the automotive supply chain, aerospace and space sectors, Industry 4.0 and broader advanced manufacturing, as well as ingredients companies and food processors.
The role is 24 months, subject to successful evaluation at 12 months.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- Plan, deliver and monitor targeted sector campaigns to showcase the business opportunities in the Midlands Engine region. Generate leads and provide exceptional client service to investors actively considering the Midlands.
- Build capacity at post to ensure relevant Midlands Engine sector propositions and relevant High Potential Opportunities are presented as options to potential investors.
- Act as on the ground regional expert for potential projects which require Midlands Engine input.
- Ensure regional opportunities and expertise are fed into campaigns being run in local markets which are relevant to the strengths of Midlands Engine.
- Set up a business network of Midlanders working locally who can help to champion the region’s strengths.
- Scope out and organise roundtables/seminars which UK regional sector specialists can deliver and ensure a strong audience of potential investors.
- Scope out relevant inward missions to the Midlands and recruit participants, working with UK based teams to organise and deliver the programme.
- Provide DIT sector specialists, UK Regions colleagues and local partners with in-country support including (but not limited to): contributing to briefing and reporting as required, facilitating official programmes, webinars and events, connecting visitors with senior stakeholders in market.
- Act as the point of contact for VIP visits/missions from the Midlands Engine region and ensure there are company and senior level meetings in place.
- Provide a monthly update on activity to local partners across the Midlands Engine Partnership to ensure alignment with local ambitions and targeted local support.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationship with DIT UK Regions Investment hubs, regional sector specialists, DIT Sector colleagues and specialists, regional partners, the Investment Services Team (IST) and colleagues at post.
- Contribute to wider Embassy reporting.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Discretionary budget circa $20k
- Knowledge of the Advanced Engineering and Food & Drink sectors.
- Minimum 5 years’ commercial experience.
- Cultural awareness and functional knowledge of the local business environment.
- Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in the public and private sector.
- High-quality day-to-day data management.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken.
- Ability to draft succinct reports and provide briefing for generalist and specialist audiences, including for ministers, often to very tight deadlines.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Team player who can work on their own initiative and across virtual teams.
- Language: English.
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
- Knowledge of the Midlands Engine Advanced Engineering and Food & Drink strengths.
- Knowledge of the Midlands Engine and UK investment landscape and priorities.
- Previous experience of working with the UK Government and understanding of the Midlands Engine political landscape and/or experience of working with Midlands Engine local partners.
- An understanding of international business or trade practice.
Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Delivering at Pace
10 January 2021
C4 (L)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
North America, Caribbean and British Overseas Territories
United States
Chicago
British Consulate General
1
$72,661
15 February 2021
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The successful candidate will already have strong interpersonal, communication and analytical skills and will be encouraged to develop these further through DIT and FCDO induction support and access to North America DIT network learning opportunities.
Courses and other opportunities to be completed in the first year include:
- FCDO and DIT induction.
- Familiarisation visit to DIT HQ in London and the Midlands Engine region
Opportunities also exist for senior leader mentorship.
Working patterns:
During COVID-19 all employees are working remotely until further notice. Long term flexible working is subject to negotiation depending on location. Employees are expected to be located within a two hour commute of the British Consulate-General in Chicago.
Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
When safe to do so, the role will require travel within the US and internationally, including training in the UK, and the job holder must be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions (both during working hours and evenings).
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
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