Main purpose of job:

To attract, retain & add value to New Zealand companies with ambitions to expand to the UK.

Specifically, the job holder will support potential investors with business set-up assistance, sector information, guidance on where to locate and support for expansion plans. This support covers both new and existing, high-growth businesses and is designed to speed up and simplify an investor’s journey to building or expanding a successful UK business base.

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and promote UK trade and investment in New Zealand. The UK – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement offers unprecedented opportunities to strengthen economic ties between our countries. DBT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment and help businesses succeed across the world. 

You will join a high-performing team of trade and investment experts working in the Consulate General Auckland. You will also be an integral part of DBT’s wider Asia Pacific region of nearly 200 people and the UK Government’s New Zealand Network. You will have the opportunity to collaborate across our networks on a range of trade and investment campaigns, soft power initiatives, trade missions and VIP visits. You will work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds whose professional experience is the foundation of our shared capability. We deliver as one team. 

DBT and the UK in New Zealand Network are inclusive and equal-opportunity employers. We are committed to building a supportive workplace that offers continuous learning and development opportunities for all our team. We embrace flexible and remote working and have a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying, harassment and discrimination. 

The job holder will report to the Deputy Consul General Auckland and form part of a wider network at the Department for Business and Trade in New Zealand and Australia, the British Consulate General in Auckland and the British High Commission in Wellington.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

You will identify and provide of strategic support to innovative New Zealand companies with globally scalable products or services. You will formulate and deliver activity to generate leads for New Zealand main technology businesses, financial and professional services and other SME’s seeking to expand into the UK. 

You should have some experience in strategy, marketing, planning and execution. You will work with the Deputy Consul General Auckland to develop a business plan to target high-growth companies and attract them to the UK. You will liaise with HQ London, marketing and communications team in Australia and the wider regional Asia Pacific team where appropriate and required. 

You will need to attend and sometimes present at events, build relations at industry forums. The role will include an element of travel to visit companies as well as for learning and development. Job specific training will be provided.

This role requires working with each potential investor to support their internal decision-making on their overseas investment and influence them in favour of setting up in the UK. You will deliver effective account management, project management, relationship management, and administration of the Department’s data needs. 

You will be able to communicate relevant information and materials on investing in the UK to each company. 

You will collaborate effectively with your job share partner and through a virtual team structure in Australia and New Zealand, with colleagues located in Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane, Wellington and Auckland, with UK based sector team colleagues, UK regional team colleagues, and a centralised investment services team, with you will need to draw on for information, introductions, economic data and research.

You will also provide some support and assistance to the broader DBT team (including with the UK trade exports colleagues), the British Consulate-General staff in Auckland and the wider New Zealand network, on projects and workstreams as needed. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The jobholder will need to administer a budget, including accurate budget forecasting and acquitting expenses in line with UK Government policy and expectations relating to the use of public funds. 

Language requirements: 

Expert in English.

•    Bachelors degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate field
•    Substantial work experience in business, ideally in an international & B2B context, or in business development
•    Ability to develop and maintain networks with senior decision makers
•    Strong inter-personal, networking, presentation and communication skills
•    Good knowledge of the New Zealand business environment
•    Ability to deliver to ambitious targets and outcomes
•    Strong research and analytical skills
•    IT literate