Main purpose of role:

Be part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a mature, high spending consumer market and an open economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK is also the world’s seventh largest exporter and the second largest services exporter.    

We employ over 150 people across North America, all dedicated to increasing economic growth to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected. We seek talented team members with the passion and drive to help us in our mission to build a global appetite for British goods and services; drive investment; negotiate trade deals and open markets; and promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains (see www.gov.uk/DBT). 

Based at the British Consulate in New York, the Deputy Director for Financial and Professional Services, will work closely with the North America Sector Director to deliver on our key strategic priorities. This includes developing and maintaining relationships with some of the world’s largest fintechs, banks, asset managers, insurers, and business service providers, and collaborating with colleagues in North America and the UK to develop, refine, and execute a national trade and investment strategy. The Deputy Director will oversee the creation and implementation of the financial services trade and investment strategy for the  New York region (including NY, PA, NJ and parts of CT), leading a team of Senior Trade & Investment Officers to deliver yearly targets for foreign direct investment and exports.

Additionally, the successful applicant will be expected to exercise their sector knowledge and expertise in support of the Sector Director to provide additional sector leadership capacity within the network and externally, including engaging with key stakeholders in DBT headquarters in London, directly managing strategic accounts, and representing UK trade and investment. This will include periodically deputising for the Sector Director and traveling outside of the candidate’s primary remit, line management of two or more Senior Trade & Investment Officers, and supporting the Sector Director more broadly in the effective leadership and efficient operation of the North America FPBS team.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Together with the Sector Director, shape, promote, and deliver the Integrated Sector Plan for Financial, Professional, & Business Services, North America, in consultation with key stakeholders and wider UK government departments. Plan and lead cross-team projects in the execution thereof.
• Represent the region in cross-departmental and cross-UK government working groups.
• Own the creation and execution of the Eastern US regional strategy for financial services trade and investment under the Integrated Sector Plan, working within the priorities, goals, and targets set by the Sector Director.
• Keep pace with market trends in the financial services sector, as well as key industry verticals, with a particular focus on fintech, banking, asset management, and insurance. Be able to understand and communicate UK government strategy in relevant sectors.
• Proactively target investors with strategies aligned with UK government priorities, with the goal of increasing their operations, investment, and exposure to the UK.
• Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven investment opportunities and projects in key industry verticals.
• Provide a comprehensive account management service to a diversified portfolio of key investors, fostering positive relationships at multiple levels and touch points, coordinating closely with UK-based colleagues at DBT headquarters in London.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting roundtables, seminars and trade missions, preparing briefing materials and contributing to Ministerial and other VIP visit programmes.
• Utilise existing CRM tools to capture investor engagement and manage investment project progression.
• Provide day-to-day leadership of direct reports. Support the Sector Director in the overall leadership of the North America Financial, Professional & Business Services Sector team, including direct oversight of budget forecasting and compliance, activity reporting, and team operations.
• Serve as a senior member of the New York Consulate, helping to link the national financial services strategy into the Consulate’s cross-sectoral regional trade policy work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Resources managed:

• Line management of two or more Senior Trade & Investment Officers.
• Manage events and travel budgets.

• Experienced people leadership (both direct and indirect).
• Demonstrated professional experience/skills in a multinational business, sales, negotiation or project management role, ideally with a major corporation, fintech, or investment firm.
• Thorough knowledge of the financial services sector, major companies and trends in the US, and preferably in the UK.
• An excellent network of contacts in the financial services sector in US or the ability to develop such a network, with the credibly to interact at a senior level.
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.