Main purpose of job:

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 united by our vision of a future where we champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in the UK and around the world.  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 up markets; improve international trading standards and fight unfair trading practices.

Based at the British Consulate-General in Montreal, the Investment Officer will support the Senior Trade & Investment Officer and Head of Critical Supply Chains to attract foreign direct investment to the UK across multiple sectors including future mobility (automotive, commercial aerospace), space and healthcare life sciences. You will be part of multiple sector teams which sit in a wider North America virtual network. You will also be a valued contributor to the work of the local British Consulate General, and liaise closely with relevant colleagues based around the UK.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Identify and reach out to future mobility (auto, aero), space and healthcare life sciences companies interested in establishing or expanding operations and R&D opportunities in the UK to build pipeline of ambitious foreign direct investment projects.
  
• Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
  
• Develop knowledge of the Canadian and UK future mobility, space and healthcare life sciences markets.
  
• Support positive relationships with Canadian and UK business leaders, trade associations, and other key partners and buyers.
  
• Support initiatives such as trade missions and participation at trade shows to foster economic opportunities for the UK and Canada.
  
• Support high-profile visits, including UK Ministerial and VIP delegations, including by scheduling high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials.
  
• Support for Department for Business and Trade and Consulate events to foster economic opportunities for the UK
  
• Consult with clients to manage and coordinate client events.
  
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK prosperity and trade policy goals.
  
• Provide operational and administrative support, including maintaining client and project databases.
  
• Attend key business and sector events with occasional travel in both North America and the UK.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential on arrival:

• Experience in a professional and client focused environment with relevant public and/or private sector, economic or business development capacity.
  
• An interest in, or understanding of the future mobility (automotive, commercial aerospace), space and healthcare life sciences sectors.
  
• Bilingual French and English – the jobholder must be fully bilingual, able to operate at the highest level in both spoken and written English and French. Proficiency in French will be tested as part of the recruitment process.
  
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a professional and helpful manner.
  
• Ability to undertake research and follow market trends, specifically in the Quebec & Eastern Canada economic landscape, in order to identify new opportunities.
  
• Excellent organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to use a variety of online and social media tools.
  
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel within North America and UK up to 5-10% of your time.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Canada

Language requirements: 

Language: English and French

Level of language required: Must be fluent in both English and French, written and verbal.