JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – SH – Head of Professional Services, HEO

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

Job Category
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) 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. DBT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.   

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as Head of Professional Services for DBT China and Hong Kong. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK”s trade goals.

DBT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DBT promotes UK trade 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. DBT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by His Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions. With c.180 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DBT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

The UK government unveiled its Modern Industrial Strategy in July 2025, an ambitious 10-year plan that builds on the UK’s open, stable, and globally connected economy, to overcome barriers to growth and be the best place in the world to invest and grow. As part of this, Professional and Business Services, together with Financial Services, were identified as two of the UK’s eight high-growth sectors to drive transformation by 2035.

We are therefore seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Head of Professional Services, a new role that will spearhead the China network’s focus and capability in this important area, which will be a key part of delivering on the ambition of the Industrial Strategy. The postholder will also play an important part facilitating wider investment into the UK by enabling the international expansion of Chinese businesses. This is a fascinating job in a team that operates across the China network, working at the front line of China’s financial and professional services industry.

To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as the British Embassy/Consulates may require.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Financial and Professional Services DBT in Shanghai, the postholder will be an integral part of the FPS team in Shanghai. You will be required to lead engagement with firms in the professional services sector in both China and the UK, with trade and professional representative bodies, and with leading analysts in the field. In doing this you will work closely with the FPS teams based in Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as DBT sector teams based in Shanghai and across the China network.

You will lead the team’s work to build a strong network of relationships with industry contacts in Shanghai and with stakeholders in the Shanghai government and regulators. You will need to be able to draw on those networks to achieve quantifiable commercial outcomes, ensuring bilateral investment is promoted and secured through: identifying opportunities to deepen bilateral commercial relationships; delivering strategic initiatives to enhance professional services links between both countries; leading on developing programmes for senior visitors; supporting bilateral workshops, conferences, and other events that seek to further bilateral trade and investment; and drafting sectoral updates that assess the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in China’s market.

The postholder will need to build a strong understanding of issues affecting the professional services sector across China, as well as the opportunities in Shanghai, particularly given its Free Trade Zone status. You will need to be able to communicate this to a British audience and articulate what this means for UK business interests in the region, in order to support UK exports to China and also to secure Chinese investment into the UK. You will need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the UK can best share expertise to shape policy and standards, supporting an open, fair, and competitive environment for foreign firms in the Chinese market.

1.  Establishing and growing a new Professional Services function (30%):  

• Establish a new Professional Services function, building policy expertise, an analytical evidence base, and commercial pipeline.
• Work with the wider FPS team across China to enhance capability on professional services, including with asset management, capital markets, and green finance colleagues.
• Build a strong network with other DBT sector teams to advance the Professional and Business Services sector plan in the Modern Industrial Strategy.2.  Stakeholder management and commercial pipeline development (30%):   
• Develop and maintain a network of key contacts across China’s professional services sector, in order to deliver policy and market insight – including with the Shanghai municipal authorities, commercial contacts, think tanks, universities, and professional associations.
• Build and maintain an ambitious commercial pipeline of potential export opportunities for UK firms in the Chinese market, and inward investment opportunities by Chinese firms into the UK, in order to secure quantifiable commercial outcomes.
• Deliver events, initiatives, and campaigns that showcase the UK’s professional services sector, which promote the opening-up of China’s market.3.  Sectoral analysis and reporting (10%): 
•  Produce accurate, timely, and well-written reporting (in English) on developments in China’s professional services markets, including across legal services, consultancy, and accountancy.
• Deliver verbal briefings (in English) to senior UK government visitors and business leaders. Key customers for this analysis include UK firms, DBT stakeholders, and key partners in the Office for Investment, Ministry of Justice, and other HMG departments.4.  Senior Visits and Meetings (10%):   
• Lead on delivery of successful visits to Shanghai by UK government stakeholders and business delegations.5.    Line Management (10%):  
• Manage, motivate, and guide 1 x EO officer.6.  Corporate Contribution (10%)  
• Provide support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DBT China team, including on cross-cutting issues.
• Promote and contribute to the China Country Business Plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Post activities.Resources managed (staff and expenditure):Line management responsibility for 1xEO officer.

  Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• A minimum of 5 years professional experience.
• Strong oral and written English language skills are essential.
• A team player with strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Understanding of the Chinese economy and / or professional services sector.Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
• Previous experience working in the professional services sector (e.g. consultancy, legal services, tax, or accountancy).
• An understanding of and / or experience working in China’s financial sector would be beneficial.
• Experience of UK government would be an advantage.
• Previous line management experience (1 or more direct reports).
• A relevant university degree or professional equivalent.
• Strong analytical skills.Required behaviours
  Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working TogetherApplication deadline
  15 September 2025

  Grade
  Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

  Type of Position
  Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

  Working hours per week
  35

  Region
  Asia Pacific

  Country/Territory
  China

  Location (City)
  Shanghai

  Type of Post
  British Consulate General

  Number of vacancies
  1

  Salary Currency
  CNY

  Salary
  Chinese: CNY 29,488 ; British: CNY 38,425

  Type of Salary
  monthly

  Start Date
  20 October 2025

  Other benefits and conditions of employment
  This vacancy is advertised as full-time, fixed term role of 12 months with possibility of renewal.

  Benefits:

  We offer a competitive package which includes –

   

• A gross salary of CNY 29,488 for Chinese Nationals and an abated salary of CNY 38,425 for British Nationals and spouses/partners of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria
• Commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
• 22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days. We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
• In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
• Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7;
• There is also plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their professional skills. The Mission encourages a blended learning culture based on the 70/20/10 model which includes e-learning, mentoring, coaching, other development activities and role-specific required trainings. This offer also includes supporting staff members to take part in a 5 days of learning activities each year.Learning and Development Opportunities:No matter what stage of your career you’re at, you’ll have a positive impact and play a key role. We strongly believe in investing in our people – from day one, you’ll be assigned a dedicated buddy, have guidance from your line manager and support within the wider organisation. You’ll have the opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop themselves.

  In addition, opportunities and activities include:

   

• Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc.
• Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, interpretation, presentation skills, effective remote working and trade policy.
• Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
• An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.Working Patterns:35 hours of work per week from Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00. There will be occasions that require you work outside normal hours.

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

  Other Information:

  Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy/Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

  No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

  Additional information
  Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

  Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

  We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

  Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

  Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

  Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

  To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.

  Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

  For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender and nationality.

  The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearance

  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.

  
  

   

  Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

  Work Hours: 8

  Experience in Months: No requirements