The British Embassy in Tel Aviv is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and we are seeking to recruit a Director to lead the Department for Business & Trade (DBT) team at the Embassy, working with Israel–UK Tech Hub and Science & Innovation colleagues on the UK Israel Prosperity Strategy.

This is a vital role in the British Embassy. It attracts strong interest from UK senior officials and Ministers, who will visit from time to time to advance the agenda. It is an ideal role to develop skills in working internationally and delivering real world results with impact.

The Director will lead on trade and investment for the UK in Israel, increasing collaboration and strengthening the bilateral relationship. The Director will also be responsible for ensuring that all DBT trade and investment targets are met. This involves managing the delivery of trade and investment services to UK companies that wish to access opportunities in Israel or increase their market penetration, supporting Israeli companies considering investing in Britain, and monitoring market developments and market access issues within the framework of the UK Israel Trade Continuity Agreement post Brexit.

The Director will also play a key role in advancing the ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the UK and Israel, strategically advising where needed the UK negotiating team and providing expert and informed advice on a range of relevant policy areas.

The Country Director formally reports to the Ambassador, working in support of DBT’s Trade Commissioner’s objectives for Europe and closely with DBT’s Europe South Regional Director and COO. The Country Director will be expected to play an active role in the wider leadership team in DBT Europe to which DBT Israel belongs, and in the Embassy leadership team.

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Lead and Manage the Embassy’s trade section, including reporting into Department for Business & Trade regional and UK corporate structures.
• Lead the design and implementation of the UK in Israel prosperity strategy, ensuring collaboration between the Embassy DBT, Science and Innovation and Tech Hub teams.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for British Exports to Israel, and for British investments in Israel, including through promoting access for British business to Israeli markets and with Israel’s high tech and innovation sectors.
• Deliver and support ambitious targets for Israeli investment into the UK including the establishment of Israeli businesses presence in the UK.
• Provide analysis and insight into the Israeli economy and commercial opportunities to HMG customers.
• Promote the UK as one of Israel’s top commercial partners, including through supporting the newly appointed PM trade envoy to Israel.
• Act as a key outward facing representative of the Embassy with strategic business partners in both the UK and in Israel.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

• Leading a team of 7 members of staff and directly line managing 3 of them
• Department for Business & Trade annual Israel non-staffing 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, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK Citizens. 

Key behaviours required:

• 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.
• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

• A confident communicator with excellent communication skills in English and Hebrew, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Ability to deliver high quality advice to companies quickly in a fast moving and challenging market.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills.
• 3+ years’ team leadership.
• Cross-team collaboration.
• Ability to build rapport at all levels internally and externally.
• Experience setting strategy and managing its delivery.
• High level organisational, administrative and team working skills.
• High level of creativity, flexibility and ability to work well under pressure.
• 5+ years’ Business experience.
• Expert knowledge of the Israeli marketplace.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Excellent IT skills.