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.

About the Department for International Trade in North America

You will join the Department for International Trade which promotes exports to the North American continent of British goods and services, two way investment between the UK and North America, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade. (See www.gov.uk/DIT for further information).

Within British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates across North America, the Department for International Trade has 150 members of staff spread across 14 locations, forming a dynamic team that focuses on various sectors including advanced engineering, technology, financial services, life sciences, food & drink, retail and clean energy & infrastructure. The North America team works closely with our Headquarters teams in London, regional and local colleagues, representatives of the three Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, with a key objective of driving transatlantic trade and foreign investment into the UK. This is an exciting time to work for the Department for International Trade (DIT). Our mission is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together export promotion, investment attraction and market access policy work to break down barriers to trade and investment 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.

Main purpose of job:

The British Consulate in San Francisco is seeking a qualified Trade and Investment Officer (TIO) for the Technology sector. The TIO will be based at the British Consulate in San Francisco and will work across the Technology sector furthering the interests of the UK throughout the San Francisco consular region, with a focus on, but not exclusively limited to, California, Oregon, and Washington.

The role presents an opportunity to join a dynamic team focused on fostering transatlantic business relations between the US and its top economic partner in Europe. Reporting to the Technology Sector Director in San Francisco, the TIO will proactively identify FDI opportunities into the UK as well as export opportunities in the San Francisco Consular District for market ready UK companies in the Technology sector to achieve export wins for UK companies, and work with companies from across California, Oregon and Washington seeking to launch into, or expand in, the UK market. The TIO will work as part of a North America wide Technology sector team, collaborating with peers across the network of British government offices across the U.S. and Canada.

The successful candidate will have sound knowledge of Internet of Things (IoT), Telecommunication Technologies (5G/6G) and Next Generation Computing including Quantum. Familiarity with semiconductors is desirable.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

• Forge strong relationships with U.S. and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key partners within the Technology sector.
• Identify and support U.S. companies looking to invest in the UK, and relationship manage U.S. companies already active in the UK, helping them to maintain or grow their footprint. Build a pipeline of ambitious Foreign Direct Investment projects.
• Develop, position and implement marketing strategies, conceive activities, and produce events with the goals of generating leads of potential UK investors from the California, Oregon and Washington, building relationships, and highlighting the strengths of the UK’s market offer to such potential investors.
• Facilitate UK export growth by delivering business development activities to support innovative UK companies, including virtual and in-person trade missions and campaigns at industry conferences.
• Work to support UK prosperity and economic growth, as well as UK trade policy objectives, in collaboration with other UK government agencies. Identify opportunities to showcase the benefits of the UK/US economic relationship to external audiences.
• Manage and/or support virtual and in-person visits by senior UK government officials by securing high-level meetings, organizing activities, and preparing briefing materials.
• Maintain current knowledge of market trends, incentives, and centres of excellence in both the U.S. and the UK. Promote UK strengths effectively to a U.S. audience.

Resources managed:

The TIO will be responsible for overseeing an operating budget for their annual activities.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent

Essential on arrival:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field or relevant professional experience.
• 3 years of relevant professional experience, either in international business and/or the technology sector.
• Ability to work effectively with companies and organizations at a senior level, with a record of fostering business relationships and a demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• Familiarity with both the US and the UK business environments.
• A demonstrable record of meeting challenging targets. Proactive, self-starting approach to work; ability to deliver effectively under limited day-to-day supervision in a deadline sensitive, fast-paced environment.
• Strong client management and project management experience.
• Excellent research and writing skills, with an ability to provide clear, concise summaries and to respond to ad hoc requests at short notice.
• Strong networking skills.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications and client relationship management software.
• Sound knowledge of Internet of Things (IoT), Telecommunication Technologies (5G/6G) and Next Generation Computing including Quantum.

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 or A visa holders with EAD cards*.

If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

• A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

• Familiarity with semiconductors.
• Advanced knowledge of foreign direct investment and export promotion.

Working patterns:

The Consulate now operates a hybrid working model with staff splitting their time between working from home and from the office. Long term flexible working is possible within DIT San Francisco. Possibilities include earlier or later start times in the morning – followed by leaving earlier or later in the evening.

Employees are expected to be located within a two hour commute of the British Consulate-General in San Francisco.

Any other information:

When safe to do so, the role will require occasional travel within the US and internationally, including training in the UK. The job holder must also be willing to represent DIT and the British Consulate at external functions (both during working hours and evenings).

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.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg 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.