The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK government department charged with promoting and financing international trade and development and championing free trade. In Brazil, DBT operates within the British Embassy in Brasília, and Consulates in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Recife, with a team who work primarily through a number of sector specific export promotion campaigns.

This is an opportunity to work on one of the most important export campaigns for the UK Government in Brazil, supporting trade (UK exports and investment) between the UK and Brazil in the mining sector and working to overcome market barriers that prevent British companies from doing business. The mining sector has gained even more relevance due to the importance of critical minerals for the energy transition worldwide, and Brazil is a strategic partner for the UK in this field.
 
The Business Development Manager leads the mining sector for DBT Brazil. The UK has a long history of mining and boasts a strong, diverse range of companies working in the sector’s supply chain. Mining is an important sector in Brazil and your role will be to support UK investors and companies to do business in Brazil, with a special emphasis on innovation, technology and sustainability. You will be responsible for leading a team of two people who will deliver on DBT’s objectives in line with the following pillars:

• Trade Support – working with UK companies exporting to, and investing in, Brazil, and developing new opportunities through contact with buyers and project developers.
• Promotion – showcasing UK technology and innovation for the mining sector at traditional trade shows and new promotional forums.
• Market Access – identifying and creating action plans for the market barriers UK companies face when doing business in the Brazilian mining sector.
• Critical Minerals – engaging key stakeholders in Brazil, working across key teams in the UK in Brazil network (including political and climate teams) and reporting to leadership in Brazil and London on opportunities for trade, investment and political engagement in this area.

You will need to be a self-starter, have a good business mind and excellent stakeholder and leadership skills. You will need to be confident in managing relationships with senior counterparts in the UK and the Brazilian business community. You should be a good manager and believe in the development of your team members.

You will work as part of a wider UK in Brazil network that seeks to ensure that our policy, climate, trade and development work is aligned in order to increase clean, low-carbon and sustainable growth in Brazil, showcasing UK public and private sector expertise whilst maximising commercial opportunities for the UK and developmental gains for our partners.

The successful candidate will integrate and support the whole DBT team through the following activities:
     

• Planning, negotiating and delivering on ambitious goals aligned with network objectives. Designing a long-term strategy for the mining sector in Brazil, communicating the plan and delivering medium- and short-term outcomes.
• Carrying out account management of UK companies, suppliers and potential buyers within the Brazilian mining sector. This will entail creating and regularly updating an account management document to track all potential opportunities and delegate actions and contingencies to your team.
• Developing a network of contacts within the mining sector to identify new opportunities for UK businesses. The successful candidate must show proactivity and creativity to find new opportunities for UK businesses within the Brazilian mining sector.
• Researching and following trends within the mining sector. With a focus on innovation, technology and sustainability, the successful candidate must be able to identify strengths and expertise from the UK’s supply chain for potential opportunities within the Brazilian mining sector.
• Working as one UK Government team in Brazil, collaborating with teams across the network as well as with other DBT teams across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
• Leading the mining sector for the UK, based in Belo Horizonte.  Regional outreach to states outside of Minas Gerais will be key so the candidate will need to factor in travel across Brazil.
• Supporting the UK in Brazil network’s energy strategy, given the strong overlap with the mining sector with regards to decarbonisation programmes.

Leadership:

• Line managing an analyst and countersigning for an intern, carrying out appraisal processes.  Supporting them in developing their understanding of the mining sector, their own career progression and their leadership and commercial skills.
• Supporting the DBT energy sector lead, Director of Belo Horizonte Consulate and Regional Director for Mining in developing and implementing Brazil and Latin America & Caribbean strategies for these sectors.
• Supporting the effective running of the Belo Horizonte Consulate/UK in Brazil network through a range of corporate activities.

• Solid experience in the mining sector
• Professional experience in business, commercial and account management functions
• Strong knowledge and broad network in the mining sector
• Ability to solve problems, prioritise, organise and manage multiple tasks
• Capacity to provide a high-quality customer-focused approach
• Committed team player with ability to self-motivate and show resilience and autonomy
• Excellent command of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word)

Language requirements: 

Language:  English and Portuguese 

Level of language required: Excellent English and Portuguese (spoken and written).