Business Development / Trade Manager (BEL24.060)

Job title:

Business Development / Trade Manager (BEL24.060)

Company

HM Government

Job description

1

Who are we?

Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage in many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their own talents and perspectives to the role. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Development Manager, in the Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) office in Brussels (co-located with the Office of the Northern Ireland Executive in Brussels) and reporting to the Regional Director, Benelux.

The office was established in May 2001 and it is set up to strengthen Northern Ireland’s relationship in Europe. It provides a central liaison point between Northern Ireland (NI) Ministers, the EU Institutions and the wider European countries and regions. It assists and facilitates NI Departments in their relations with European bodies and aims to ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are represented in negotiations and decision making. The office is part of the wider family of the UK Diplomatic Missions in Belgium. Visit or for more information. The office also houses the Brussels hub, which provides a work space in Brussels for NI organisations.

Main purpose of job:

The post-holder will focus on delivering trade opportunities for Northern Irish companies and will be assigned focus sectors, which may include, but are not limited to, Technology, Life & Health Sciences, Financial and Professional Services; they will be responsible for developing the knowledge and network in the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and, to bring a targeted group of clients to market as part of the trade strategy for Invest NI.

The Business Development Manager (BDM) will identify and match opportunities for NI companies, who offer a variety of solutions across several sectors, and can sell in the Benelux region. The BDM will guide companies through Invest NI’s trade processes to deliver sales via targeted business opportunities. This will involve building upon a network across several sectors and stakeholders, and other organisations in the Benelux who have open opportunities that NI companies can compete for. The BDM will be proactive in sharing information and business opportunities to allow NI companies to make informed business decisions, compete for business and grow their sales.

To deliver these outcomes, the BDM will undertake focused market research, with access to an external consultant and DBT (Department for Business and Trade) resources where relevant. They will also attend and network at relevant events, host meetings and visits, and be proactive in organising sector based activities (e.g. seminars, briefings, etc.), showcasing Northern Ireland export excellence.

The position is responsible for working seamlessly with the several ITAs (International Trade Advisors based in Belfast), the Regional Director and Senior Business Development Manager (The Hague), to develop and deliver the Benelux trade strategy for Invest NI.

This role covers 100% trade and export activities, including ownership of specific sector activities, market preparation and development, and delivery of opportunities across the three Benelux countries.

Summary breakdown of the role:

• 40% engagement with and development of business networks in Benelux; research and flag business opportunities to priority companies; develop and support key accounts; utilise CRM and internal systems to record activities and outcomes;
• 40% deliver trade services, including research and input into Trade Advisory Services, Trade Market Enquiries, and in-market support for NI companies, to facilitate visits, trade missions and briefings;
• 10% develop relationships with DBT and other key stakeholders, and work in partnership with them on relevant opportunities;
• 10% Event management and attendance.
• The post-holder will be required to develop positive working relationships with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Northern Ireland government representatives, business and trade organisations, and work effectively with others to gather market intelligence and insights, as well as communicating said insights and making suggestions based on them.

The post-holder is expected to undertake travel occasionally, within the Benelux countries, to the UK and also to other countries as required by the management team.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Work in close partnership with International Trade Advisors, based in Belfast, and relevant sector-focussed colleagues;
• Undertake market research, prepare sector briefings and assist Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales;
• Proactively identify relevant business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies in the relevant sectors through market intelligence, connections, networking and research;
• Support Northern Ireland businesses through business development/sales cycle processes in order to achieve positive commercial outcomes;
• Provide in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions, including the arrangement / procurement and management of the necessary logistics and protocols;
• Attend, contribute to and manage events related to furthering the business opportunities for Northern Ireland companies;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships within the British Embassy, DBT, Northern Ireland government representatives, a wide range of stakeholders and businesses.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

Our Ideal Candidate shows:

• Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in commercial and/or stakeholder management related roles;
• Experience in undertaking market research, analysing market data, preparing reports, presenting information to team/ clients and helping them to achieve positive commercial outcomes;
• A sound commercial knowledge and business sector knowledge;
• Educated to University degree or equivalent;
• Good networking skills, experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships across all levels of businesses;
• Attention to detail, excellent organisational, IT and administrative skills;
• Ability to work at pace and independently as part of a remote team;
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

Nice to have:

• Business level written and spoken French and/or Dutch;
• Knowledge of UK / Northern Ireland’s key sectors and business drivers;
• Business knowledge and experience specifically in Technology; Life & Health Sciences; Financial Services;
• Experience in working with Benelux based companies, markets or networks.

Required behaviours 1

Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline 1

10 March 2024

Grade 1

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position 1

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week 1

36.25

Region 1

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory 1

Belgium

Location (City) 1

Brussels

Type of Post 1

UK Delegation

Number of vacancies 1

1

Salary Currency 1

EUR

Salary 1

5,269.98

Start Date 1

6 May 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment 1

This is a permanent full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 5,269.98 (EO) level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance (subject to monthly employee contribution), reimbursement of public transport and a lot more. We offer more days of annual leave than the Belgian requirements.

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Passport: officers are expected to be in possession of a passport due to the possibility that they may be asked to undertake business travel.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Additional information 1

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

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.

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

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link .

Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.

Expected salary

€5269.98 per month

Location

Northern Ireland

Job date

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:27:25 GMT

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