The British Embassy in Athens, part of the British Government’s Greece Network, is in turn part of the UK’s overseas network of diplomatic missions, representing British political, security, economic and consular interests. 

British Embassy Athens is now looking for a Country Director to lead its small Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team and to drive the UK’s prosperity agenda with Greece. 

DBT promotes British trade and investment around the world; helps to build an appetite for British goods and services globally; and works to encourage foreign investment into the UK. DBT also brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade & investment and to help businesses to succeed.  

At an important time in the UK’s relationship with our historic European partners and allies, you will be able to shape and influence how the trade and investment relationship between the UK and Greece develops and flourishes. As a member of the Embassy’s senior leadership team, you will also be expected to contribute to and to support the wider work of the mission, by offering leadership, support and collaborative team-working. 

The successful applicant should expect to travel within Greece and occasionally to the UK and elsewhere in Europe. 

As a member of the locally engaged ‘Country Based Staff’ team within the British Embassy Athens, the incumbent reports directly to the Ambassador, with specialist oversight and support provided by DBT’s  Regional Director (based in Lisbon), working in turn to His Majesty Trade Commissioner for Europe. The role is part of the broader DBT Europe country director cadre and actively contributing to DBT Europe’s Europe South sub-regional grouping.

Main Responsibilities / Duties: 

Leadership 

• Lead the DBT efforts in Greece, motivate and develop the DBT team (Director plus two) with lead responsibility for trade and investment relations between the UK and Greece.
• Foster a culture of team-working, collaboration and support, including open and constructive feedback between team members and the wider Embassy/Network
• Reflect our high priority on individual and team learning and development, empower the DBT team to grow in capability and expertise, demonstrate DBT priorities to build an expert, engaged and inclusive team.

Delivery 

• Lead the team in driving Britain’s efforts in support of UK export success through export wins in Greece, through the removal and navigation of market access barriers as well as trade promotion activities
• Provide leadership and direction for local efforts in maximising high value Foreign Direct Investment from Greece to the United Kingdom.
• Continue to build and track a pipeline of significant high value deals and barrier removals
• Manage resources efficiently and effectively, prioritising as required and making the most of local and regional support and collaboration
• Manage the sub-delegated country budget.

External Stakeholders 

• Build and develop a broad network of relevant professional relationships with the highest significance for the UK’s business and trade interests, including Strategic Relationship Management of Key Accounts.
• Along with DBT colleagues, represent DBT Athens externally and internally, including within the Europe South Network and the wider Europe Network.

Corporate and wider HM Government 

• Provide advice on UK-GR business and trade relations as required to colleagues at the Embassy including the Ambassador and his senior team, and to DBT Europe including the trade commissioner.
• Engage proactively with other relevant teams within the Embassy and DBT to identify joint objectives and activities, and contribute as the senior in-country representative of DBT to DBT Europe Region and wider Embassy matters, shaping and contributing to the broader efforts and plans of DBT and their local mission.
• Role model the highest standards of behaviour and respect, in line with BE Athens values
• Ensure that all relevant processes are followed in a timely manner and rules complied with by the entire team.

*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.

• Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills. The successful candidate will be credible team leader capable of setting the direction for your team and of gaining their trust and respect;
• 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 be highly organised, flexible, able to work at pace; and a proven record in ability to juggle multiple priorities, and 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 Greek, including excellent writing skills* (C1 Level).