The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for a Regional Manager for Saudi Arabia and Levant Region under Invest Northern Ireland on a fixed-term contract for two (2) years.

About Invest NI

Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) is part of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. It is Northern Ireland’s principal business development agency with responsibility for supporting the growth of the Northern Ireland economy through the development of its businesses locally and internationally, bringing greater economic benefit and prosperity to the people and this region of the UK.

Operating in 30 international cities, Invest NI’s overseas offices are responsible for supporting Northern Ireland companies in developing business overseas thus increasing export sales, developing collaborations, and marketing Northern Ireland as an inward investment location. Invest NI works closely with a wide range of clients including local businesses, multi-national companies, industry bodies, and universities and colleges. It also works closely with business associations and stakeholders such as the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Chambers of Commerce, the British Council, and Tourism Ireland.

About the role

Invest NI is continuing its focus in a number of countries around the Middle East. To build on the successes already achieved, we wish to appoint a Regional Manager for Saudi Arabia and the Levant region.

The Regional Manager role is based in the British Embassy in Riyadh and will be Invest NI’s key representative for the Saudi Arabia market. Reporting to the Head of Territory for India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA), the jobholder will be responsible for formulating and delivering a strategic plan which helps Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales and find new business in a number of sub-regions in Saudi Arabia and raise the profile of Northern Ireland as an inward investment location. The jobholder will also develop and lead on sector plans covering key business sectors in Northern Ireland, agree these with the management team and relevant stakeholders, deliver work for Northern Ireland companies, co-ordinate action, and execute them successfully. In the longer term, the jobholder will help assess the Levant region, identify potential export and inward investment opportunities, produce a market development plan, and deliver the agreed actions. In addition, the Regional Manager will develop and agree a strategic plan covering the education sector, working with stakeholders and key partners in Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, and ultimately Levant region to raise the profile of Northern Ireland colleges and universities, with the aim to find institutional partnerships for Northern Ireland educational institutions.

The Regional Manager will develop an operational plan for the next three years, covering activities in Saudi Arabia and the Levant region, outlining resources (budget, staffing / support) required, agree it with the management team, and manage the approved resources allocation; and report activities to the Head of IMEA and Invest NI head office on a timely manner.

In order to carry out their work effectively, the Regional Manager will be required to forge effective working relationships with a wide range of businesses, senior officials, industry leaders and influencers, stakeholders, Northern Ireland diaspora/ expat community, and government officials both in the target markets and in Northern Ireland. The jobholder will deliver activities such as VIP visits to the markets they are responsible, exhibitions/ events, and trade missions. They will represent Invest NI at relevant business functions and speak at them when required. They will also provide business advice to Northern Ireland companies (market research and analysis, sector reports, location reports or product reports) and produce these reports on a timely basis. In addition, the jobholder will be required to undertake travel on a regular basis, either within Saudi Arabia, Levant region, the wider IMEA region, or to the UK; and work or travel outside their normal working hours from time to time. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Formulate and deliver a market development strategy for Saudi Arabia and the Levant region to promote Northern Ireland capability, covering export and inward investment, that contributes to the overall goals and performance targets of the territory;
• Develop, agree, and deliver sector plans covering a number of key Northern Ireland business sectors, promote the business opportunities identified in the target markets to Northern Ireland companies through social media, roadshows, and face-to-face meetings, attract them to visit markets and export more;
• Develop and deliver a market development plan covering Northern Ireland education sector in Saudi Arabia and the Levant region;
• Proactively provide business advice and identify relevant business opportunities in the target markets for Northern Ireland companies through market intelligence, connections, and research, and promote Northern Ireland capability to key decision makers;
• Promote the region’s business and sector opportunities to NI based companies in order to attract them to pursue Saudi Arabia as a location to export;
• Co-ordinate and manage in-market support for VIP (such as Ministerial delegation) and company visits, trade missions, events, and exhibitions in the target markets;
• Develop strong relationships with senior officials/ C-level executives within the targeted companies, influencers, and stakeholders including British Embassy, UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Irish Embassy, Business Networks – both Irish and British and expats living/ working in the region to deliver action plans and enable Northern Ireland companies to engage with them;
• Prepare an operating plan for the target markets, including activities, budgets, and resources, and deliver them effectively and successfully. The jobholder will manage an agreed budget and resource framework to deliver the regional strategy, market development plan, and business sector plans. They will be required to make decisions delegated to them by the Head of IMEA and act within Invest NI policies and guidelines;
• Engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders based in the wider IMEA region (Dubai, Cairo, Mumbai, Johannesburg), other Invest NI offices, and in Northern Ireland, especially the Sector Leads based in Dubai and the International Trade Advisors (ITAs) based in the headquarters, to provide market and sector briefings and to ensure that activities in the market align with corporate plans;
• Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and internal management systems.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis. 

Key behaviours required:

• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace – Taking responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity, and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses, and opinions of others.

Eligibility:

• The successful candidate must be able to secure a local residence and work permit in Saudi (iqama) OR already have the right to work and reside in Saudi.
• The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

• Recent successful business development experience in Saudi Arabia, ideally for at least five (5) years, including experience of undertaking market research, analysing market data, preparing reports, presenting information, and providing advice to clients;
• A sound knowledge of the current business opportunities across the key business sectors and business environment in Saudi Arabia, including issues and solutions relating to doing business in and exporting to Saudi Arabia;
• A general knowledge on the key business sectors, business practices, and trading standards in the Levant region;
• Recent successful track record in developing and maintaining relationships with senior executives and government officials to achieve significant business outcomes in the Middle East;
• Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• An ability to work collaboratively and effectively with business contacts and colleagues. Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors and recognises the importance of developing a strong professional network.
• Ability to work at pace and independently as part of a remote team; and prioritise, manage, and deliver an often heavy workload;
• Flexible, resilient, decisive, and calm under pressure. With a proven track record of delivering results to a high standard within tight deadlines.
• Holds at least a university degree or equivalent professional experience;
• Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and web-based applications.