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, liberal economy, worldclass 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 sixth 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 (see www.gov.uk/DIT).

Based at the British Consulate General in Toronto, Ontario, the Project and Programme Manager will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating projects and programmes across DBT’s Canada network. You will be responsible for designing and executing programmes related to the UK-Canada Business Council, visits from UK government Ministers as well as other signature events hosted by the DBT Canada network that promote investment and exports between the UK and North America. This role will also oversee and lead a programme of thematic funds (non-ODA programme) used for innovative projects that help achieve goals in the UK’s bilateral relationship with Canada (such as advancing policy engagement and promoting trade, investment, science, and economic partnerships between the two countries) and be a key connector across the DBT Canada and North American network on communications and other coordination needs. In addition, you will play a vital role within the Department’s team in Canada, deputising for the Country Director on cross-Canada activities. You will also be a valued contributor to the Toronto-based team, working closely with colleagues from around Canada and the UK.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Planning and designing the Canada – UK Business Council programme including working closely with the High Commissioner and her executive team to arrange interactions between the High Commissioner and key businesses. You will be responsible for monitoring its progress, resolving issues and initiating corrective actions, including for risks.
• Liaising with Heads of Sector across Canada to ensure timely reporting and management of the delivery of key projects and submitting reports to relevant London teams.
• Lead the coordination of visits from DBT government ministers and the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Canada in collaboration with the Canada Country Director and relevant Sector leads. 
• Representing DBT North America on relevant planning calls related to ministerial visits and preparing the North America senior leadership team ahead of visits.
• Working with the DBT Canada team, keep an up-to-date overview of DBT’s events and activities across North America and support in guiding Ministerial and senior leadership engagement. Leading the project management of priority DBT ad hoc events. These could include but are not limited to DBT’s involvement in investment summits, the Prospectors and Developers Mining Conference and Collision conference among other priority events.
• Liaising with UK-based thematic fund managers to secure non-ODA programme funds for use in Canada and ensure they are disbursed according to established frameworks. Overseeing the project life cycle including coordinating proposals, managing contracts and payments, working with project leads to troubleshoot and resolve issues, keeping senior leadership aware of project portfolio developments, and reporting on project outcomes, among other responsibilities.
• Work with the DBT North American Communications Team to ensure the promotion of Canadian activities and events internally and externally. 
• Providing support to the Country Director in Canada-wide activities, including but not limited to, event planning and representation, regional trade promotion, corporate activities, scheduling and performance tracking. 
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Resources Managed:

• No management responsibility. 
• Manage events and budgets related to the non-ODA funding programme

• Experience of managing complicated and complex programmes or projects from a distance, ideally within a Government context.

• Ability to multitask and juggle a number of different projects with competing deadlines.

• Excellent stakeholder management abilities. 

• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills. 

• Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to negotiate and deliver results.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.

• Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications.

• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in North America and internationally.