View Vacancy – Trade Manager (SWE20.501)

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.

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is responsible for promoting British trade across the world. DIT Europe works to help UK-based businesses export to the EU and to encourage the best European businesses to invest in the UK. This is an exciting time to join DIT, as you will have the opportunity to shape the UK’s international trade agenda and foster UK growth.

How can you contribute?

DIT Sweden is looking for a confident, motivated and experienced Trade Manager to provide strategic direction for trade development across a range of sectors (Life Science, Infrastructure, Retail, ICT/FinTech, Clean Growth, Food & Drink, Defence and Security) working with the trade team and other European markets. You will provide guidance, coaching and management to the trade team and will have line management responsibility for 5 Senior Trade Advisers. And you will need to flex your management style ensuring that the wider trade team (4 Trade Advisers) are working with you in areas of high value-add.  

As a person, you will be passionate about business development, have a clear understanding of the Swedish business landscape and be up-to-date with commercial developments that will allow you and the team to be in the best positon to support UK business.  

The role also requires you to work collaboratively with colleagues across the Embassy – on policy, science & innovation and tourism. 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.  

Your key responsibilities:

• Knowledge & Delivery: Ensure a strong understanding of Swedish sectors (Life Science, Infrastructure, Retail, ICT/FinTech, Clean Growth, Food & Drink, Defence and Security), keeping up-to-date of changes and provide advice, insight and guidance to UK business and a range of key stakeholders. Work closely with Senior Trade Advisers to support sector development, identify export opportunities and supply information and guidance for business development. This will include, for example, advice on local trading conditions, market intelligence, key sector contacts, bespoke research and event creation and delivery.

• Management & Coach: Line manage 5 Senior Trade Advisers (one of which will LM 4 Trade Advisers) operating in their own specific sectors. Support the STA with line management responsibility, balancing resource and work across the team. Manage the trade team, ensure aspirations and targets are being met. Support DIT Director and deputise during times of absence.

• Strategic Relationship Management: Develop and maintain a high level Swedish network of senior contacts within key industry organisations and networks, including a range of business intermediaries. Work with HQ, sector teams, regions and devolved administrations to ensure that UK companies are aware of opportunities in Sweden. Identify key players in UK within each sector.

• Communication: Develop and contribute to DIT Sweden’s social media engagement plan. Work with the DIT regional team to ensure that messages are consistent, well developed and amplified across all platforms. Foster and leverage relationships with relevant agencies and stakeholders to maximise the effort in promoting Sweden as a place to do business. Conversely raise the profile of the UK as a strong business partner. Actively contribute and lead on aspects of marketing campaigns throughout the year to showcase the strengths of the UK.

• Administration: Work as one team to deliver on the priorities as set out in the Country Business Plan. Ensure that the trade team follows procedures in line with the civil service code. Follow guidelines set by DIT Europe in line with performance delivery. Support the DIT Director on budget work and forecasting.

• Min. 5 years professional experience in trade, business development and/or commercial roles.
• Proficiency in Swedish and English languages (C1 level or above under the CEFRL)*;
• A University degree in Business/Economics or applicable subject;
• Coaching and team management experience;
• Strong team leadership skills, with a record of delivering results;
• Swedish strategic commercial and economic awareness;
• Be able to build rapport at senior management levels (internally and externally);
• Be reliable and respond proactively to changing priorities;
• Understand and focus on customer needs.