The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK government department with overall responsibility for promoting UK trade across the world, supporting UK businesses overseas and attracting foreign investment to the UK economy. It is also responsible for negotiating international trade policy and delivering an outward-looking trade diplomacy strategy.

Overseas, DBT’s nine geographical regions are led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners. The DBT Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) region is led from Dubai by Oliver Christian. DBT MEaP comprises over 100 staff covering eleven markets:  the six GCC markets (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain), plus Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Pakistan.

DBT MEaP’s Regional Trade Plan priorities include:

• Breaking down market access barriers to increase trade flows between the UK and the region.
• Aligning UK capability with sectors of opportunity particularly around the GCC Vision Strategies. Priority sectors in the region include healthcare/life sciences, education, technology, food & drink, agritech, renewable energy, infrastructure, creative services, and financial services.
• Securing high level investment from regional investors into strategic sectors in the UK.
• Securing a modern and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the UK and the GCC.

The MEaP regional team is recruiting a Head of Communication and Marketing to lead the marketing and communications function in the region, working in close collaboration with the DBT Communication and Marketing team in London and with FCDO communications teams based in the Embassies and High Commissions in the region.

The jobholder will develop and deliver the region’s communication and marketing strategy in line with the Regional Trade Plan priorities, promoting the UK brand across MEaP and improving the perception of this region in the UK.  This is a dynamic, ambitious region with significant potential for a deeper trade and investment relationship with the UK.  

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Duties and responsibilities:

The successful candidate will combine communication and marketing experience with strong project management, leadership and people management skills.  They will be creative yet outcome focused – able to understand the strategic context and transform the vision of HM Trade Commissioner and DBT MEaP senior leadership into a coherent, impactful and well executed strategic marketing and communications plan for the region. 

They will have a deep knowledge of the region and its media landscape, delivering high-impact communications that help to shape opinions, positively influence perceptions of the UK and support the UK’s priorities in MEaP. They will be adept at leveraging communications tools from media engagement and crisis comms to thought leadership and speechwriting. They will have developed and delivered regional marketing campaigns in the Middle East with a strong focus on insight and evaluation.

This role requires considerable strategic relationship management, working with DBT HQ in the UK as well as with cross HMG teams in MEaP including the FCDO, UK Export Finance, VisitBritain, the Science and Innovation Network and others. The jobholder will also lead and champion the GREAT campaign for DBT in the region.

The jobholder will lead, motivate and empower the regional communication and marketing team, giving team members space to innovate, celebrating creativity, and fostering an inclusive and collaborative team culture.

Strategic Vision (20%) 

Support HMTC’s vision for the region to design, develop and deliver a creative and high-impact communication and marketing strategy underpinned by the goals of the Regional Trade Plan. 

Understand the wider FCDO and xHMG communications priorities in the region to be able to contribute a high level DBT view that contributes to and complements other campaigns.

Planning and Delivery (40%)

Oversee planning and implementation of annual DBT marketing campaigns across the region, understanding the audience, creating compelling content and case studies, and measuring results to continually improve outcomes, managing agencies as required.

Deliver excellent products across the communication spectrum from social media content to press releases and speechwriting to long form articles, working closely with HMTC as the key spokesperson, as well as with communication teams of key stakeholders including Ministerial Private Offices, UK Export Finance and FCDO.

Work closely with the DBT communication and marketing team in London as well as counterparts in the other 8 HMTC regions to ensure global campaigns are aligned with regional campaigns and local activity.

Oversee development and training of marketing liaisons in each market to increase understanding of marketing and communications techniques and capability.  Ensure the quality of all marketing, branding and communications products and outputs.

Leadership (20%)

As part of the regional leadership team, engage the Country Directors and their teams to increase the value they attach to delivering marketing and communications as part of their own work.  Develop an effective network across the region including xHMG communicators to support DBT’s priorities. Increase staff engagement and alignment with the overall strategic vision for DBT in the region by overseeing internal communications.

Management (20%)

Manage the DBT MEaP communication and marketing team, and the wider cohort of marketing liaisons. Develop a strong and complementary working relationship with senior FCDO communications colleagues across the region. Take responsibility for the region’s marketing budget devising and overseeing the process of allocating funds to teams in the region, being accountable to ensuring it is spent in accordance with Managing Public Money guidance and delivering maximum value for the taxpayer.

Resources managed:

– Direct management of 2 staff plus QA for 2 staff

– Responsible for regional marketing budget

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key behaviours required:

• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.
• Leadership: Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

• Leadership: Experience of leading a communication and marketing team for a minimum of 5 years.
• Communications and Marketing Strategy: Experience developing and successfully delivering a regional communication and marketing strategy in line with departmental and geographic priorities.
• Marketing Campaigns: Experience developing and delivering G2B or B2B marketing campaigns in the Middle East
• Press and Media: Proven ability of working with traditional and digital media outlets in the region, pitching stories and developing relationships with the press. Experience managing media at Ministerial and VIP visits an advantage.
• Crisis Communications: Experience in delivering communications priorities in a crisis, ideally within HMG.
• Writing: Excellent drafting and writing skills including but not limited to speechwriting, article writing, opinion pieces, press releases, and social media content.
• Knowledge of the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the region as well as an understanding of the geopolitical landscape in the region.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build strong and effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, including senior stakeholders and partners to deliver your objectives.
• Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Highly organised, flexible, able to work at pace, with a proven record of being responsive to changing demands and the ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• A credible team leader capable of setting the direction for their team and of gaining their trust and respect.
• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral).
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marketing and or communications.