Main purpose of job:

Be a 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, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, the second highest investment destination in the world, and 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 a passion and drive to help us promote exports to North America of British goods and services, two-way investment between the UK and North America, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade (see www.gov.uk/DBT).  

The position will be based at the British Consulate-General in Los Angeles. The Trade & Investment Officer will support four Senior Trade & Investment Officers in the US covering the infrastructure sector which includes Rail, Airports, Construction and Logistics.  In this role you will both cultivate relationships with C-suite executives from top companies across North America while also supporting UK companies in their efforts to grow in the US market. This is an exciting opportunity to work across the US and UK with some of the most significant and critical, projects and initiatives which have global impact and are vital to transatlantic economic growth. You will be part of the North America team with responsibility for Infrastructure, as well as a valued contributor to the regional team based in the consulate in Los Angeles. 

Roles and responsibilities:

•    Identify and reach out to innovative Infrastructure companies interested in establishing or expanding operations and R&D opportunities in the UK to build a pipeline of ambitious foreign direct investment projects in construction and logistics.
•    Support the Senior Trade & Investment Officers in developing US market opportunities for a broad range of UK exporters focused on rail and airports.
•    Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in the US and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
•    Develop knowledge of the US Infrastructure market with a focus on transit, construction and logistics. 
•    Support positive relationships with US 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 US.
•    Support high-profile visits, including UK Ministerial and VIP delegations, including by scheduling high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials.
•    Consult with clients and senior officers to manage and coordinate client events.
•    Support cross-team projects to advance wider UK government goals.
•    Provide operational, administrative & logistical support, including maintaining client and project databases, internal & external event planning and execution, arranging business travel, and performing conference related research tasks.
•    Other duties as assigned.

•    2+ years professional experience/skills in an international business, economic development or project management role 
•    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 to identify new opportunities.
•    Excellent organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    An interest in, or understanding of, the infrastructure industry.
•    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 the US and UK up to 5-10% of your time.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: excellent verbal and written English