Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DBT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as L&D Manager for DBT China and Hong Kong. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world 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.

DBT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DBT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DBT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by His Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. 

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions. With c.180 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DBT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

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

The Corporate Operations Directorate is responsible for supporting all DBT China teams across our six locations to achieve our objectives and ambitions as stated in the Regional Trade Plan. This is a key role sitting in the operation team, in the DBT China & Hong Kong network of 180 people. You will help support the network to achieve its objectives by ensuring we have a high-quality learning and development offer. 

The Corporate Operations directorates includes several cross-cutting responsibilities supporting sector teams to work efficiently and effectively, including Operations (People, Finance, Business Performance, Contract Management), Business Relations and Ministerial Engagement, and Marketing & Communications. 

As Learning and Development Manager, you will be working within the Operations strand of the Directorate, directly responsible for the development and promotion of the DBT China Learning and Development Strategy, of which current priorities are Leadership and Management capability building, and a focus on sector knowledge and business development skills.

Reporting directly to the Head of People, this highly visible and delivery focused role will require regular engagement with stakeholders from across the network, including our team in Hong Kong, the DBT Senior Leadership team, the FCO Learning and Development lead and the DBT Skills and Capability team based in London, to help solidify a regional approach to learning and development matters.  

Responsible for the day-to-day management of all learning and development activities, this role will require the jobholder to maintain the network Learning and Development budget (circa £100k), identifying activities that deliver both value for money and address wider learning needs. The jobholder will also need to think outside of the box to develop innovative and impactful in-house learning and development solutions.

1. Learning and Development Strategy (30%)

• Lead the creation and development of a DBT China wide (approx.180 people) learning and development strategy, which aligns to Regional Trade Plan ambitions and addresses feedback from the annual People Survey.
• Establish a vision for interactive, engaging and impactful learning and development solutions, setting direction to embed a learning culture across the China Region. Work with the Senior Leadership Team and individual Directorates to ensure a coordinated approach to delivery and to identify skills, knowledge, and capability gaps through the implementation of a Capability Review exercise.
• Work closely with the FCDO L&D Manager to design and deliver a better quality cross-China network learning and development offer.

2. Learning and Development Delivery (30%)

• Deliver a suite of learning and development solutions to meet identified learning needs.
• Lead on the design, delivery and development of formal programmes and campaigns, including the provision of team and individual learning solutions across the DBT China Region.
• Work with external suppliers, both within Mainland China and in the UK where necessary, to provide bespoke training courses.
• Lead the sharing of best practice and internal expertise across teams and Posts.
• Organise and deliver regular induction events and the delivery of generic courses.
• Ensure effective evaluation and reporting of all L&D activity across the China Region, feeding into wider People initiatives.

3. People and Operational Support (10%)

• Work together with Head of People to manage the DBT reward scheme and people action plan, receive and respond to feedback in a timely manner.
• Ensure effective evaluation and reporting of all L&D activity across the China Region, feeding into wider People initiatives.
• Work closely within the operation team to support feeding in the annual People Survey and achieving our objectives and ambitions as stated in the Regional Trade Plan.

4. Stakeholder Management and Communication (10%)

• Raise the visibility and staff understanding of DBT China Region L&D offer.
• Provide clear information and timely communications for all initiatives and activities.
• Engage a wide range of stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, lead L&D discussions as part of internal working groups and committees, and report to the Senior Leadership team on a regular basis.
• Lead an L&D cadre, provide full support to the L&D champions to deliver L&D at pots.

5. Financial Management (10%)

• Ensure effective management of the centralised L&D budget, ensuring all spends aligns with identified priorities and supports the delivery of the L&D strategy and wider Regional Trade Plan.
• Establish clear and transparent budget principles and processes to ensure fair spend across the network, ensuring value for money, and strategic, effective use of resource.
• Provide accurate spend forecasts and process claims in a timely manner.

6. Corporate Contribution (10%)

• Supply support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DBT China team, including on cross-cutting issues.
• Promote and contribute to the China Country Business Plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Post activities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Financial Management of L&D Budget circa £100k.

• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
• Excellent networking skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to demonstrate ownership in terms of delivering key L&D initiatives.
• Broad understanding of learning and development concepts and processes.
• Good IT Skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.