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 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 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.
Based out of the British Consulate in Chicago, the Senior Trade and Investment Officer will be responsible for developing positive relationships with senior executives from companies in the Financial Services sector, predominantly Fintech, Asset Management, Insurance, and Professional Services, across the US Midwest. You will play a key role as an account manager to these firms, some of which are the most important investors in the UK within the sector. This involves frequent engagement with key decision makers and proactive work to identify and cultivate potential new investment opportunities for US companies in your portfolio.

The role of the Senior Trade and Investment Officer is to increase cross-border economic cooperation, attract foreign direct investment into the UK economy, and support British businesses with US market entry.  You will be part of the North America Financial Services team as well as a valued contributor to the Chicago based DBT team, working closely with colleagues from around the US and UK.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Provide a comprehensive account management service to key US prospects in the financial and professional services sectors looking to maintain or grow their footprint in the UK.
• Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and investment to the UK.
• Assist high-growth and innovative UK SMEs, the UK’s leading fintechs, as well as established British businesses to develop US market entry strategies and / or grow US market share; and support established British companies in-market to address any concerns around US trade policy or market access barriers.
• Assist UK professional services companies, including legal, accounting, and consulting firms, with raising their brand profile across the Midwest US.
• Deliver against an ambitious set of annual trade and investment targets.
• Forge positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, from start-ups through F500, as well as trade associations, local development agencies, regional financial and professional services providers and other key buyers/partners within the financial and professional services industry.
• Develop and implement high-impact, targeted marketing programs and events in conjunction with stakeholder partners to build our brand awareness, promote key messaging, and showcase UK competitiveness in the financial and professional services industries.
• Keep pace with market trends in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting round tables, trade missions and matchmaking events, seminars and supporting VIP visit programs.
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
• Represent DBT and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
• Represent DBT and the British Consulate on the board of the British-American Business Council, Chicago
• Assist in a consular crisis, if required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• This role will operate as part of a wider North America sector team but will not have direct reports.
• Some budget management.

Essential on arrival: 

• Demonstrated professional experience in an economic development, financial services or business role.
• Thorough knowledge of the financial and professional services industry, major companies, and trends in Midwest region – and preferably in the UK.
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to negotiate and deliver results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling.
• An excellent network of industry contacts in the financial services sector and/or start-up ecosystem in the US, or the ability to develop such a network.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.

Language requirements: 

• Language: English
• Level of language required: excellent verbal and written English.