View Vacancy – SH – Midlands Engine Infrastructure & Clean Growth Investment Manager, C4(L)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join DIT’s Infrastructure & Energy sector team. You will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (China & Hong Kong) achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, in particular broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

Context

The Department for International Trade (DIT) operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade and investment to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.

DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.

Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan. DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

Detail

You will lead on promoting investment in Infrastructure and Clean Growth into the Midlands Engine (ME) region while having regard to the ‘UK First’ principle. This forms part of the UK government’s agenda to increase trade and investment support in the UK regions. Your focus will be on attracting foreign direct investment into Infrastructure and Clean Growth including urban regeneration, the clean energy transition (including renewables and hydrogen) and transport (including rail).

You will work closely with the ME Investment Hub, DIT Infrastructure and Energy sector teams, regional specialists, IST (Investment Services Team), DIT Capital Investment Team and local partners to achieve this.

You will build ME’s reputation for technology and innovation alongside local and regional colleagues and develop a programme of activity to enhance the perception of ME as a place to invest and do business with. You will build relationships with senior investors, opinion formers and policy makers. You will rapidly develop and maintain a specialist understanding in the ME’s development plans and investment offer covering infrastructure regeneration, clean energy transition and transport (including rail).

You will be comfortable in agreeing direction and strategy with a senior leadership team at regular milestones while driving forward delivery independently. You will be confident in engaging C-suite business people and senior government officials. You will be able to flex your approach to work with post-revenue start-ups, SMEs, trade associations, Chinese MNCs, academics and policy makers.

You will be mobile to engage investors and colleagues across China and complement existing DIT resources in country. You will be expected to travel to the ME for training and business trips (including accompanying Chinese delegations) when international travel and quarantine restrictions become practicable.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

Midlands Engine (ME) Investment Proposition & Marketing

• Work with the ME team to develop and maintain a compelling proposition on why Chinese investors should choose the Midlands to invest in infrastructure and clean growth, along with a portfolio of investment opportunities in the Midlands suitable for Chinese investors.

• Work with DIT MarComms team to plan, deliver and monitor targeted campaigns to promote the ME sector proposition and investment portfolio by developing marketing materials and promoting via relevant channels.

• Ensure ME investment proposition and investment opportunities are fed into wider investment campaigns being run in China which are relevant to the strengths of ME.

Investor Relationship Management

• Identify and build senior-level relationships with new potential investors, with a geographic focus on (but not limited to) Tier 1 and 2 cities in East and Central China including Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hubei etc.

• Build capacity within the DIT China Infrastructure & Energy sector team to ensure relevant ME sector propositions and investment opportunities are presented as options to potential investors across China.

• Collaborate across the entire team and act as on-the-ground regional expert to support investments which require ME input, including the energy investment lead on energy transition and rail sector team on UK future transportation strategies.

Investment Promotion Activity

• Work with ME team to plan and execute investment promotion activities, such as roundtables/seminars in China and inward missions of Chinese investors to the Midlands/UK (both online/offline) to promote investment opportunities in ME. Collaborate with the DIT China Infrastructure & Energy team to promote activities to investors they already work with.

• Plan and execute outbound missions to China by ME government/company leaders to meet investors and local Chinese government officials.

Stakeholder Management & Reporting

• ME-China stakeholder management including maximising regional partnerships and sister city links e.g. Nottingham-Ningbo, Leicestershire – Sichuan, Leicester – Chongqing, etc.

• Set up a business network of Midlanders working locally who can help to champion the region’s strengths.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with ME Investment Hub, regional sector specialists, DIT Sector colleagues and specialists, regional partners including Midlands rail clusters, DIT Capital Investment Team, the Investment Services Team (IST) and colleagues at post.

• Provide a monthly update to ME Investment Hub on activity to ensure alignment with local ambitions and targeted local support.

• 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. Contribute to wider Embassy reporting.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The post-holder is not required to line manage staff. The post-holder will be required to manage and deliver specific projects and events, including leading matrix teams and managing a fixed annual budget.

The post-holder will be expected to make decisions delegated to him/her by ME and DIT China management, and act within HMG’s China Network’s and DIT’s policies and guidelines.

Essential on arrival:

• Knowledge of Infrastructure and Energy sectors.  
• Minimum 5 years’ commercial experience.
• Team player who can work on their own initiative and across virtual teams.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with a wide range of colleagues.
• 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.
• Ability to draft succinct reports and provide briefing for generalist and specialist audiences, including for ministers, often to very tight deadlines. Knowledge of Automotive and Rail sectors.