The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DBT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.   
  
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as Head of Professional Services for DBT China and Hong Kong. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK’s trade goals.  
  
DBT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DBT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DBT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by His Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.   
  
His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions. With c.180 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DBT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.  
 
The UK government unveiled its Modern Industrial Strategy in July 2025, an ambitious 10-year plan that builds on the UK’s open, stable, and globally connected economy, to overcome barriers to growth and be the best place in the world to invest and grow. As part of this, Professional and Business Services, together with Financial Services, were identified as two of the UK’s eight high-growth sectors to drive transformation by 2035. 

We are therefore seeking an enthusiastic and dynamic Head of Professional Services, a new role that will spearhead the China network’s focus and capability in this important area, which will be a key part of delivering on the ambition of the Industrial Strategy. The postholder will also play an important part facilitating wider investment into the UK by enabling the international expansion of Chinese businesses. This is a fascinating job in a team that operates across the China network, working at the front line of China’s financial and professional services industry.
 
To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as the British Embassy/Consulates may require. 

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Financial and Professional Services DBT in Shanghai, the postholder will be an integral part of the FPS team in Shanghai. You will be required to lead engagement with firms in the professional services sector in both China and the UK, with trade and professional representative bodies, and with leading analysts in the field. In doing this you will work closely with the FPS teams based in Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as DBT sector teams based in Shanghai and across the China network. 

You will lead the team’s work to build a strong network of relationships with industry contacts in Shanghai and with stakeholders in the Shanghai government and regulators. You will need to be able to draw on those networks to achieve quantifiable commercial outcomes, ensuring bilateral investment is promoted and secured through: identifying opportunities to deepen bilateral commercial relationships; delivering strategic initiatives to enhance professional services links between both countries; leading on developing programmes for senior visitors; supporting bilateral workshops, conferences, and other events that seek to further bilateral trade and investment; and drafting sectoral updates that assess the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in China’s market.

The postholder will need to build a strong understanding of issues affecting the professional services sector across China, as well as the opportunities in Shanghai, particularly given its Free Trade Zone status. You will need to be able to communicate this to a British audience and articulate what this means for UK business interests in the region, in order to support UK exports to China and also to secure Chinese investment into the UK. You will need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the UK can best share expertise to shape policy and standards, supporting an open, fair, and competitive environment for foreign firms in the Chinese market.

1.  Establishing and growing a new Professional Services function (30%):  

• Establish a new Professional Services function, building policy expertise, an analytical evidence base, and commercial pipeline.
• Work with the wider FPS team across China to enhance capability on professional services, including with asset management, capital markets, and green finance colleagues.
• Build a strong network with other DBT sector teams to advance the Professional and Business Services sector plan in the Modern Industrial Strategy.

2.  Stakeholder management and commercial pipeline development (30%):  

• Develop and maintain a network of key contacts across China’s professional services sector, in order to deliver policy and market insight – including with the Shanghai municipal authorities, commercial contacts, think tanks, universities, and professional associations.
• Build and maintain an ambitious commercial pipeline of potential export opportunities for UK firms in the Chinese market, and inward investment opportunities by Chinese firms into the UK, in order to secure quantifiable commercial outcomes.
• Deliver events, initiatives, and campaigns that showcase the UK’s professional services sector, which promote the opening-up of China’s market.

3.  Sectoral analysis and reporting (10%):

• Produce accurate, timely, and well-written reporting (in English) on developments in China’s professional services markets, including across legal services, consultancy, and accountancy.
• Deliver verbal briefings (in English) to senior UK government visitors and business leaders. Key customers for this analysis include UK firms, DBT stakeholders, and key partners in the Office for Investment, Ministry of Justice, and other HMG departments.

4.  Senior Visits and Meetings (10%):  

• Lead on delivery of successful visits to Shanghai by UK government stakeholders and business delegations.

5.    Line Management (10%): 

• Manage, motivate, and guide 1 x EO officer.

6.  Corporate Contribution (10%) 

• Provide support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DBT China team, including on cross-cutting issues.
• Promote and contribute to the China Country Business Plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Post activities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Line management responsibility for 1xEO officer.

• A minimum of 5 years professional experience.
• Strong oral and written English language skills are essential.
• A team player with strong interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Understanding of the Chinese economy and / or professional services sector.