International Trade Missions Program Manager

Description

This position is responsible for the management, coordination, and quality assurance of the Washington Secretary of State’s International Trade program. It plays a critical role in managing the operational logistics of international engagements, including scheduling and organizing meetings with foreign government officials, trade partners, and industry executives. This position ensures that all aspects of the initiative align with the strategic vision of the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS), promoting Washington State’s economic interests on the global stage. This position will focus on both internal and external-facing aspects to determine strategic priorities in engaging foreign countries. The International Trade Missions Program Manager will develop and maintain division standards and guidance to ensure alignment and coordination of created programs. This position develops support services for international trade missions in relation to business registration services; both for conducting trade for foreign business entities importing and for Washington State based business entities exporting.

Duties

Direct and operate the International Trade Mission Program, including its strategic direction, compliance with state and foreign policies, and integration with business registration related to Washington State and several other miscellaneous federal and international requirements.

Tasks include:

• Manages, designs, directs, and implements education concerning compliance with state and foreign policies and procedures pertaining to the operations of international relations in connection to the export and import trade mission programs.

• Manages the short and long-term strategies in a two-year to four-year increments of the program.

• Collaborates with the Community Engagement officer to conduct themed engagements and events state-wide and internationally.

• Coordinates with the Data Analytics and Quality Assurance Manager to develop and implement daily data collection strategies to identify monthly and annual trends, gaps, and areas of focus as it pertains to the international trade mission’s export and import programs.

• Collaborates with the Consumer Protection Education and Mobile Services team to design, implement, and maintain an education and engagement program that provides educational content for international export and import trade missions for small businesses, and nonprofits as it relates to compliance with Division business process and policies and external stakeholders.

• Collaborates with the Data Analytics and Quality Assurance Manager to design, develop, and refine advanced SQL-based analyses that draw from multiple data sources to support staff, customers, and stakeholders. Resulting data is used to ensure accuracy, integrity, and accessibility for decision-making, program evaluation, continuous process improvement, and to inform the Secretary of State’s export/import mission and related initiatives.

• Incorporates the Division, Office, and state strategic objectives, ensuring that systems and services maintain alignment.

• Researches, develops, and implements productivity and tracking software for analysis of the International Trade Mission staff metrics and to inform of process improvement needs.

• Researches, develops, and implements logistical travel tracking for appropriate use for the International Trade Mission program travel expenses. Projects and plans future budget needs for the program.

• Reviews daily-weekly-monthly collection, tracking, and reporting of research data as it pertains to the International Trade Mission staff, and the state-wide and international export and import trade mission services conducted.

• Collaborates with Division leadership and management to maintain knowledge of business processes and procedures pertaining to the 1961 Hague Convention (international), RCW Chapters 42.45, 19.77, 26.60, 19.166, 11.110, 19.09, 19.77.090, 23.95, 46.64.040, RCW Title 24, Washington Civil Rule 55(F)(2)(C), WAC 434-12, WAC 434-112, WAC 434-120, WAC 434-166, and other applicable state, federal, and international regulations.

• Collaborates with external government agencies, small business representatives, nonprofit leaders, and community representatives to understand their needs and gather feedback. Utilizes this input to continuously refine and enhance resource materials, educational content, and engagement strategies.

• Provides expert guidance on international trade regulations, systems, and business registration and compliance processes to internal teams, global partners, government agencies, and regulatory institutions to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.

Supervise the International Trade Program work unit and provide on-site support of program staff.

Tasks include:

• Manages the day to day operations of the business export and import programs and works in collaboration with the Executive Office to provide trade missions out of country and reverse trade missions primarily in-state.

• Directs, designs, organizes, and implements the day-to-day work and assignments of the International Trade Mission staff.

• Provides qualitive responses to direct reports and Division system users regarding technical operations and requirements, program procedures, complex internal/external stakeholder and customer inquiries, and complex filing issues pertaining to the International Trade Mission, purposes, and processes.

• Plans, leads, organizes, and/or directs training plans for the International Trade Mission staff, in consultation and collaboration with the Public and Government Affairs Administrator.

• Provides training and tools to help program staff understand the Corporations and Charities Filing System, and ancillary support and filing systems so they can effectively support the International Trade Mission purposes and can review, file, and provide guidance for complex registration requirements.

• Mentors and coaches staff within the International Trade Mission staff for professional growth and identify, develop, and recommend relevant training.

• Provides training and consultation to International Trade Mission staff to ensure adherence to established operational policies and procedures. Ensures that staff are meeting the needs of internal and external stakeholders.

• Develops and implements performance expectations and conducts Performance and Development Plan (PDP) evaluations of subordinate staff annually.

• Prepares preliminary biennial budget requests for inclusion in the Division budget. The current biennium allotment for PI XXXX is $1,200,000.

• Monitors the International Trade Mission operations’ actual expenses to budgeted allotments.

• Supports a diverse workforce.

Oversees the operations of the International Trade Mission’s program and development of external partnerships.

Tasks include:

• Develops and maintain collaborative relations with the Consular Association of Washington, the Department of Commerce, and the Office of International Relations, and additional state agencies identified in business registration requirements.

• Develops and maintains collaborative relations with local chamber organizations, industry trade associations, and Washington businesses identified for export and import trade missions.

• Develops and maintain collaborative relations with foreign government officials and industry executives who match Washington’s specific cultural and business objectives, including the Europe Business Registry Association “EBRA”.

• Ensures the International Trade Mission staff meet the Division standards for legal compliance, timeliness, and accuracy of work conducted. These include metrics reported to the Office of Financial Management.

• Develops strategies and plans for implementation of Division and Office initiatives, policies, procedures, and tasks, in consultation and collaboration with Division leadership, Executive Office and management.

• Coordinates in collaboration with Executive office meetings and events for international delegations that visit the Washington State Capitol.

• Collaborates with others in leadership to provide accurate analysis of trends that impact the International Trade Mission state-wide and international service delivery

Miscellaneous

Tasks include:

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five years of experience providing support to staff or a program including, but not limited to, interpreting policy and instructing others on application of policies, representing a program or office to clients, interacting with members of the public, composing correspondence, scheduling appointments and meetings, or coordinating events.
• Ability to efficiently use a personal computer and applicable software to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
• One-year supervisory experience performing: interviewing, hiring, training, assigning, and/or directing work and evaluating staff.
• Proficient in English and one of the following: Japanese, German, Polish, or Chinese.

• A bachelor's degree in business administration, public administration or related field.
• Knowledge of the laws and rules pertaining to business entities, nonprofits, and charities in Washington state.
• Demonstrated success representing an organization in international settings, including diplomatic or trade mission context.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to navigate cultural nuances in diplomacy and business environments.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS
The incumbent will work primarily in an office environment with standard office equipment. This position requires sitting at a computer for long periods of time. The standard work hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM but the employee must be available to work a designated shift within the office core hours of 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Must be available for flexible work hours outside of the division’s core work hours to address scheduling for internationally themed engagements and events to include weekends and overnight stays. In state and out of country travel. Trade missions (out-of-country ) and reverse trade missions (primarily in-state) will be required up to 50% of the work schedule including weekends and overnight stays. The incumbent in this position works with both internal and external customers by phone, email, chat, and in person. Ability to provide high quality customer service with attention to detail with a focus on quality and productivity. Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communication styles, demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity in all interactions. Ability to communicate information, both oral and written, without personalizing the interactions. The incumbent must represent the Office of the Secretary of State in a competent, confident, and professional manner including professional dress.

How to Apply:

• To be considered for this position you must attach the following:
  • Letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the duties and qualifications of the position.
  • Current Resume
  • Three Professional references. Personal references will not be considered.
• You must complete the supplemental questions at the end of this application. Incomplete responses such as "see resume" will not be considered.
• All veterans must include a copy of your DD214 to receive preference in the hiring process. You must redact your social security number before attaching it to your application.