Trade and Investment Officer - Sectors (British Consulate-General Chicago or Houston)

Main purpose of job:

Be part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a high spending consumer market and an open, economy with world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK is also the world’s seventh largest exporter and the second largest services exporter.

We employ over 150 people across North America, all united by our vision of a future where we champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in the UK and around the world. We seek talented team members with the passion and drive to help us in our mission to build a global appetite for British goods and services; drive investment; negotiate trade deals and open up markets; improve international trading standards and fight unfair trading practices (see http://www.gov.uk/DBT).

Based at the British Consulate-General in Chicago or British Consulate-General in Houston, your focus will be providing high level administrative support to our Key Priority Sector Projects throughout the year. This will involve working with a variety of teams based around the US on time- sensitive thematic projects such as Trade missions, National Conferences, Marketing Campaigns etc. All of these with the intended goal to foster economic opportunities for the businesses in the UK or to foster US investment in the UK. The role is part of a National Operational team. This role is fascinating and engaging allowing someone interested in international affairs and business development to work in an exciting diplomatic mission. You will be required to work flexibly across a range of areas and to cover for colleagues as needed. In this role you will have an opportunity to be involved with work that is done in a variety of key sectors such as Tech, Clean Energy, Infrastructure and more.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Contribute to key strategic initiatives such as trade missions and events to foster economic opportunities for the UK and US.
• Assist with initiatives that emphasise maintaining a communicative, inclusive team that values learning and development and an open, respectful feedback culture.
• Consult with clients to manage and coordinate client events.
• Support high-profile visits, including UK Ministerial and VIP delegations through scheduling high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials.
• Support cross-team business development projects to advance UK prosperity and trade policy goals, including generating insight and supporting the State Level Strategy.
• Client engagement, helping to build a network of external partners across Government and the private business sector, both here in the United States and abroad.
• To become a “Subject Matter Expert” in project delivery to facilitate expedited turnaround on key projects as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated relevant programme management experience in the business/policy/international trade/government/or economic development sectors.
• Excellent administrative and time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills with a professional and helpful manner.
• Ability to undertake research and follow market trends to identify new opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to be proactive, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Flexible and adaptable mindset.
• Ability to use a variety of online and social media tools.
• Must be able to participate in events and calls outside of office hours, including early calls with colleagues in the UK, and undertake travel within the US and UK 10% of the time.
• Legal status to live and work in the United States in your own right, from time of application. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Please note: 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, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

• Knowledge of the US and UK governments and policies.
• Interest and familiarity with both the US and the UK business environments.
• Media and communications management skills.

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. In addition to developing a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate, we also offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

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.

This role is 40 hours a week. The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working. You are required to work from the office three days a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

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, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.