View Vacancy – Senior Regional Trade Manager (TUR21.488)

The British Consulate General in Istanbul is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Senior Regional Trade Manager for the Enhanced International Support Service (EISS).

Main Purpose of Job

This is an exciting and demanding role for an exceptional individual to be the Enhanced International Support Service Senior Regional Manager EECAN, (Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region). Working closely with businesses across the UK and the region as part of the Enhanced International Support Service. You will play a key role in supporting the DIT EECAN region achieve its overall objectives, within the financial limits, through a period of growth and change.

Context

The British Consulate Istanbul is recruiting a Trade Manager for the Enhanced International Support Service (EISS). This is primarily a business development role. In this exciting new position the jobholder will lead on the delivery of the UK Government’s trade support for UK companies in Turkey and the wider region. The EISS programme is the UK’s Trade Support services programme, ensuring the delivery of a quality service to over 1,635 small and medium sized businesses looking to export to overseas each year. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECAN), there will be an EISS EECAN Hub managing enquires who will then work with EISS Market Advisors across the region who would guide local delivery of the service.

EISS Market Officers and Advisors will ensure local delivery of service to UK companies with export enquiries. You will manage a team that will conduct free market research service for companies, working with them to understand their requirements, undertaking desk research, and supplying relevant market information. You will be asked to cover a cross-section of sectors and types of enquiry and will need to be adaptable to this – providing credible advice to a range of companies, whilst not being able to be expert on every sector. As such, you will lead on engagement with UK businesses, analysing their options in the market. You will utilize a wide range of external sources of information and where relevant suggest companies suitable for B2B meetings.

Detail

You will, with support from the Hub, manage the local Overseas Referral Network (ORN). The ORN is composed of potential suppliers of follow up advice and support for UK businesses, who can work with companies to get them set up in country. Your role is to source potential suppliers, meet with them, and have an oversight of the services delivered. Though ORN services are delivered outside of DIT, you will monitor customer satisfaction and will be able to add or remove companies from the ORN.

This role is part of a regional network managed from the Department for International Trade at the British Consulate General in Istanbul, Turkey. The role will help UK businesses to export their products, build new partnerships, and overcome market entry barriers. You will work closely with colleagues across UK Government and the UK business ecosystem to maximise the impact of your trade support.

More background

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world and attracting foreign investment to the UK.  We are a specialised government body with responsibility for negotiating international trade policy, supporting business, as well as delivering  an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.

The British Consulate General in Istanbul is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Manager to join the DIT team. DIT is an international economic department securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment and championing free trade.

How can you contribute?

In this exciting position, the jobholder will lead on supporting British companies to establish themselves and grow in the region. You will help UK businesses to expand overseas, build new partnerships, and overcome barriers. You will work closely with colleagues across UK Government, the UK ecosystem and the EECAN region to maximise the impact of your trade support.

You should be passionate about business development and be up-to-date with commercial developments that will allow you and the team to be in the best position to support UK business. The work will be varied and demanding and you will need to be a flexible, committed self-starter and able to juggle priorities to demanding timelines.  

The British Consulate is an exciting and rewarding place to work, where your work can make a real difference. The working environment is supportive and friendly and there are lots of opportunities for learning and development.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Management and oversight of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECAN) Enhanced International Support Service (EISS);
• Increase the value of UK exports by being the main point of contact for small and medium sized businesses looking to export to the market, providing advice on the complexities of gaining entry to EECAN markets. This requires an in-depth review of the market, research and knowledge of the UK businesses looking to export;
• Providing guidance to senior grades and stakeholders in identifying their route to market in one or several countries, assessing their market entry needs, and advising on options for making progress. Through technical knowledge and expertise, this role has a direct impact on the EISS programme, raising quality of service and securing good external relationships;
• Work proactively to build demand within the local market, seeking out export opportunities. Produce, research and keep up to date various ‘off the shelf’ market information products. These may include overviews of key sectors of interest, as well as ‘how to’ guides relating to core aspects of setting up operations in country. Ensure export account management processes are followed and businesses are linked in to the International Trade Advisor Network;
• Help UK businesses establish effective export strategies and if needed, recommend additional options from the local Overseas Referral Network, ensuring regular follow up to remain a key player in their client’s export journey, tracking the service delivery to ensure it is fit for purpose and identify if further help is needed;
• Work with the EECAN EISS Hub to maintain and increase market intelligence to promote dialogue with clients and build promote relationships with business in each region, including with a view to updating and expanding the Overseas Referral Network;
• By utilising the Overseas Referral Network; maintain a thorough and in-depth knowledge and analysis of all of the markets in their region working closely with UK missions and directing business to opportunities not just in the primary market;
• Line management of one Trade Officer; ensuring they have clear objectives, regular reviews, support, and development opportunities. Management of a matrix team across the EECAN network.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a multinational organisation, preferably in business development and/or trade related job;
• Experience of project management;
• Experience of managing a small team;
• Strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people (both with the Clients and service providers);
• Graduation from a reputable university;
• Working with regional and virtual teams;
• Fluency in Turkish and English, both written and spoken ( minimum of C1 CEFR framework level language*);
• Self-starting, professionalism, confidence, proactive and persistence to call on companies and other stakeholders to generate leads, building the pipeline and securing project wins;
• Ability to prioritise, efficient time management, good planning skills;
• Proven ability to build strong and effective networks and relationships with a range of stakeholders, including senior stakeholders and partners;
• Advanced computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).