British Embassy in Lisbon is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic, security and consular interests overseas.  Together with Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Europe, we are looking for a Country Director to lead the DBT team in Portugal. This role leads the Department for Business and Trade’s Portuguese team, which is located within the British Embassy Lisbon.

Who we are:

DBT promotes UK economic growth by supporting British business and trade in UK and around the world.  DBT Europe (in which DBT Portugal belongs) is one of 9 DBT overseas regional teams and has responsibility for this activity in countries across the European continent. It is led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe.  DBT Europe teams are located within the relevant British Embassy, and DBT priorities make up an important element of overall embassy goals.

What the role is about:

The main purpose of the job is to encourage a thriving UK/Portugal trade and investment relationship.  The key delivery goals are to reduce barriers to UK/Portuguese trade, to help British companies export to Portugal, to attract Portuguese investment into the UK, and to work with Portuguese decision-makers in support of open trade & economic security.  The jobholder will be responsible for leading the DBT Portugal team, setting priorities, ensuring delivery, collaborating with DBT colleagues and engaging persuasively with external government and business stakeholders. 

As a senior member of BE Lisbon the jobholder will also be responsible for playing an active role in the leadership of the Embassy, contributing to wider embassy objectives and exploiting synergies with DBT goals. In particular they will work with Economics and Science & Innovation and Climate and Energy colleagues, and report directly to His Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal.

The Country Director will enjoy significant autonomy to set the direction and priorities of the DBT Portugal team, tailoring the broader DBT Europe Regional Trade Plan and its objectives to the specifics of the Portuguese market. They will be part of the wider DBT Europe Country Director cadre, regularly engaging with HM Trade Commissioner for Europe, with specialist oversight and support provided by DBT’s Regional Director and DBT Europe’s COO.

The UK/Portugal trade and wider relationship is a priority for both countries. The work attracts strong interest from UK senior officials, Trade Representatives and Government Ministers, who will visit from time to time to advance the agenda. This a challenging, varied and high-profile role and presents an exciting opportunity for a motivated and commercially focussed professional with excellent management and leadership skills. It is also an ideal role to develop and deploy skills in working internationally and delivering real world results with impact.

Core responsibilities include:

1. Leadership and strategic vision

• Lead the design and implementation of the Portugal Country Trade Plan, which is an integral part of the broader DBT-Europe Regional Trade Plan, and the commercial elements of the Embassy-wide Portugal Country Business Plan;
• Provide clear strategic direction to DBT Portugal, motivating, supporting and coaching a diverse and experienced set of team members to ensure delivery across the pillars of the Portugal Country Trade Plan, managing the structures and resourcing to underpin this;
• Act as a role model for other DBT Europe Country Directors, contributing proactively and constructively to regional initiatives and agenda-setting, taking the role of being a critical friend to Europe’s senior leadership where appropriate.

2. Promote and increase UK-Portugal trade and investment, and shape the international trading system in the UK’s interest

• Enhance market access for UK companies in Portugal (practical assistance for UK exporters to navigate trade rules; prioritise plans and progress for resolving individual market access barriers);
• Identify and deliver opportunities for British exports to Portugal and support UK firms to export through marketing promotion activities, proactive account management, enhanced sectoral focus, UKEF available tools, and the Export Support Service;
• Attract and retain inward investment to the UK from Portugal (increase share of high-value projects, low carbon, capital investment, R&D and levelling-up, and active strategic relationship management (SRM) of critical accounts);
• Champion free and fair-trading systems with Portugal (building constructive relations with Portuguese government trade policy teams; providing insightful intelligence on trading systems issues; advocating UK positions convincingly) and defend the UK’s interests and economic security;
• Provide analysis and insight into the Portuguese economy and commercial opportunities to HMG customers.

3. Cultivate relationships with key external stakeholders

• Develop a broad and deep range of influential and high-level contacts among Portuguese and UK companies as well as delivery partners, government and wider stakeholders, with credibility at Board level;
• Act as a key outward-facing representative of the Embassy, DBT Portugal and the UK Government with strategic business partners in both Portugal and the UK, including at high-profile events and other external engagements.

4. Corporate leadership role and wider HM Government collaboration

• Establish trusted relationships with DBT HQ in London, DBT Europe, including the HM Trade Commissioner, and with colleagues at the British Embassy in Lisbon.
• Lead timely and pertinent analysis and provide advice and support to DBT and wider HMG Ministers and officials on UK-Portugal trade issues, ministerial visits, and performance.
• Engage proactively with relevant teams within the British Embassy in Lisbon and DBT to identify shared objectives and work collaboratively to achieve them.
• Play a senior leadership role within the British Embassy Lisbon, including as a member of the Board of Management and Senior Leadership Team, promoting a supportive, collaborative “one team” culture.
• Lead on discrete projects or horizontal objectives across DBT Portugal and DBT Europe, as required.

The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances.  The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.

Our ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills. The successful candidate will be a credible team leader capable of setting the direction for your team and of gaining their trust and respect, with strong change management experience.
• Strategic relationship management experience, building and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies to achieve objectives; Need to show a solid track record of dealing with senior level decision-makers(‘C-level’ executives).
• Policy skills and the ability to quickly develop a strong strategic level grip of market access work. The successful candidate will be proactive and capable of absorbing a wide range of information from different sources, and using that to inform and shape their thinking.
• Highly organised, flexible, able to work at pace; and a proven record in ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Tried and tested project management skills. The successful candidate will have a proven record to take de-prioritisation decisions to retain focus on highest impact.
• A positive attitude and problem-solving skills.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a senior commercial or policy role.
• Full professional proficiency in English and Portuguese, including excellent writing skills (C1 Level).