Director of Trade

Main purpose of the role:

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 130 people across North America, all dedicated to increasing economic growth to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected. 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 markets; and promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains (see www.gov.uk/DBT).

Based at the British Consulate-General in Atlanta, the Director of Trade will act as the senior point of contact and advisor to the British Consul General on regional trade and investment opportunities. You will lead a dynamic team of five to strengthen UK-US trade and investment across seven states in the Southeast. You'll drive strategic partnerships, manage key accounts, and shape policy to unlock new opportunities, working closely with senior stakeholders across the UK Government’s US network, including the British Embassy in Washington DC to deliver growth and innovation in a collaborative environment.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Champion the UK’s trade and investment ambitions across the Southeast US, acting as a senior adviser to the British Consul General.
• Lead and inspire a high-performing team of 5 to spot opportunities, build connections, and showcase the UK as a destination for investment, exports and growth.
• Drive ambitious State Level Strategy outcomes, from securing MOUs to opening procurement opportunities, tackling market barriers, and advancing professional qualifications agreements.
• Support your team in building and converting a strong pipeline of export and investment opportunities, including relationships with some of the largest US investors into the UK.
• Turn trade policy into commercial impact by connecting business opportunities to priority sectors and State-level partnerships.
• Grow and influence a powerful regional network of policymakers, business leaders, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and think tanks.
• Represent the Department of Business and Trade as a visible and credible voice for UK business interests, while contributing to wider prosperity, innovation, and growth goals.
• Lead delivery of high-quality programmes for Ministerial and senior UK Government visits.
• Build and develop an inclusive, high-performing team with a strong culture of learning, communication, and respectful feedback.
• Management of regional budget.
• Other duties as assigned.

Resources managed:

• Leads a team of 11 with direct line management of 5 Senior Trade and Investment Officers each representing a different priority sector. The sectors are Financial Services; Healthcare and Life Sciences; Future Mobility; Defence, Security and Space; Clean Energy; Infrastructure; Tech; & Capital Investment.

Essential on arrival:

• Significant professional experience, gained within a business or economic development role.
• In-depth knowledge of business in the Southeast region.
• 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.
• Manage budget and make resource recommendations to senior leadership.
• An excellent network of industry contacts and the ability to develop new networks with senior business and industry leaders.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally for up to 10% of your time.

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Business knowledge of the UK.
• Previous experience working in a cross-cultural environment
• Previous experience of leading high-quality programmes with high-level attendees

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture

Application deadline

11 June 2026

Grade

Grade 7 (G7)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

Atlanta

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

$109,170

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

3 August 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Eligibility

You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

Core Hours/Hybrid Working

While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.

Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs.

All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager. Please note: The successful candidate will be expected to represent DBT and the British Consulate at external functions (both during working hours and evenings).

Learning and Development

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We 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.

Unique Tax Rules

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional - before accepting a job.