Job Description

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 mature, high spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, 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 sixth 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 for further information.

The Sector Director for Financial and Professional Services leads DBT\'s work in a sector that is vital to the success of the UK economy in our most important market. The role is responsible for strategic planning, setting ambitious performance goals and implementing a diverse program of work that drives increase inward investment to the UK and grows UK exports to North America. The job holder is also responsible for aligning DBT\'s work in North America with other UK Government Departments including our UK HQ team, HM Treasury and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development office.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop an agile and effective Financial and Professional Services sector team.
• Shape and deliver an ambitious integrated sector business plan in consultation with stakeholders and wider UK Government Departments.
• Using the reach of the UK Government, seek to influence effective trade policies in the UK, Canada and the US as it relates to the Financial and Professional Services sector.
• Regularly review progress against targets to ensure effective delivery by team.
• Using your expertise, drive strategic discussion and planning with UK-based counterparts and UK Government.
• Work with partners on the UK Government\'s broader priorities in North America, including Trade Agreements, the UK\'s climate ambitions and the UK Government\'s Levelling Up agenda to build long-term strategic economic initiatives.
• Provides in-person support across North America for major events, VIP/Ministerial visits (including cabinet level ministers), or high value investment and export deals.
• Key account management of existing and potential high value investors and trade partners, using business intelligence to influence business planning.
• Work with marketing team to develop digital campaigns and PR to highlight successful investments and UK export deals, and showcase UK leadership and innovation.
• Manage budget and make resource recommendations to senior leadership.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Resources Managed:

• Strategic leadership of the Financial and Professional Services sector team of 12 people.
• Financial responsibility for multiple programme activities that include other Government stakeholders and involve commercial sponsorships.
• Management of business development budget.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Demonstrated professional experience gained within business development, economic development or within the financial services, asset management, wealth management, private equity or related field.
• In-depth knowledge of the financial and professional services industry, major companies and trends in the US and Canada - and preferably in the UK.
• Excellent management and leadership skills with the ability to deliver results through others.
• Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning.
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
• Proven advisory and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An excellent network of industry contacts and the ability to develop new networks with senior business and industry leaders.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy.
• An in-depth knowledge of the US and the Canadian economies.

Required behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others

Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month Application deadline - year

9 July 2023

Grade

Grade 7 (G7)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

37.5

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

Canada

Location (City)

Toronto

Type of Post

British Consulate

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

CAD

Salary

$116,816.00

Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year

4 September 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment

Learning and Development Opportunities:

The British High Commission and its Canada Network is committed to all employee\'s ongoing learning and development needs. We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

Working Patterns:

This role is 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday. The consulate does not have a long working hours culture. The UK in Canada Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

The British High Commission and its Canada Network of Consulates embraces hybrid working. Flexible working options available upon approval of line manager. The British Consulate\'s current policy asks staff to work in the office 40-60% of time, with the remainder available to work from home. 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.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Additional information

• Be willing to undertake occasional travel in North America and to the UK.
• Be willing to represent DBT and the British Consulate at external functions (during working hours and very occasionally evenings).

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada. 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.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

HM Government