Overview:

The UK is globally renowned as a world class destination for investment and a world leader in important industries of the future, such as AI, semiconductors, future telecoms, Quantum, space sector and automotive / EV. The UK presents a unique and at present an under-recognised investment opportunity for Taiwanese companies.

We are seeking a well-networked, ambitious investment professional to help change that by promoting the UK’s investment propositions and world-leading business environment here in Taiwan. This person will focus on attracting a) high value investment/ R&D investment and b.) matching Taiwanese VC funding with UK innovation / technology companies.  

Working directly to the Trade & Investment Deputy Director, you will lead a team of two Investment Advisors to attract high-value investment into the UK, taking shared responsibility for setting strategic priorities, leveraging and directing resources, building team capability and driving performance. 

This will be a life-changing opportunity that affords you the opportunity to engage and influence a wide range of senior stakeholders, utilising strong interpersonal skills to build deep and trusting relationships with senior executives across a wide range of sectors. You will balance a number of competing priorities; collaborate with teams across the British Office and in the UK; utilise data and analysis to develop strategy; and deliver a high quality, reliable and efficient service.

The role is suited to a confident, commercially-minded professional who will relish the opportunity to engage with C-Suite businesspeople across a wide range of innovative sectors – and, in doing so, strengthen both the UK and the Taiwanese economies. We are looking for someone with an incredible ability to network, influence and someone who is flexible and open-minded. 

 
Roles and responsibilities:

Head of Investment

Working to, and with the support of, the Deputy Director – you will share responsibility for the strategic decision making of the team, including:

• Responsible for pipeline and business development and building the network of the British Office Taiwan and acting as the point of contact of our investment drive.
• Building and maintaining relations with:
  o    The major Taiwanese companies and global investors
  o    A network of VCs
  o    Large Capital Institutional Investors

This will involve working with them to gain understanding of complex, cross-cutting issues and deeply geopolitical, strategic and/or financial problems. 

• Identification of priority sectors and accounts; establishment of team KPIs; commissioning of business planning, data analysis and UK policy/strategy alignment; and improving systems and tools
• Effective management of the performance of the wider investment team against KPIs, and reporting these to the Deputy Director, the Trade and Investment Director and London Investment team
• Developing wider investment team capability, including through sharing best practice
• Leveraging visits and events to support investment priorities and managing visit programmes and events
• Representing UK strengths and investment opportunities in Taiwan across all sectors
• Management of an agreed list of key stakeholders, including Taiwanese corporate and institutional investors, industry advisers and multipliers, government of Taiwan officials, UK industry organisations, and UK Government colleagues.
• Representation at investment-related meetings and events
• Deputising for the Deputy Director where necessary

Business Development

You will be responsible for business development for the Investment team, out and regularly networking at events and dinners to build a wide and illustrious ‘black book’ of connections that can be utilised by the British Office. You will be face of the UK’s Investment offer and will be expected to connect with mid-to-senior level business executives credibly. 

The Deputy Director will work with you by holding the relationships in the UK (Companies / VCs / Uk Government teams) and leveraging those for you wherever possible. 

Delivering against targets

You will design and promote campaigns across critical sectors (e.g. Technology, Automotive/Battery supply chains, Energy and Financial Services) to attract Taiwanese businesses, private sector R&D, capital and talent to the UK, in order to deliver against the team’s targets. This will be through planning and leading a programme of investment activities, such as seminars, inward missions, and company meetings and engagements, through account management of existing accounts and target companies, and through supporting projects, including high value projects that are outside of campaigns.  

Account management

You will directly manage the team’s most important company accounts, and oversee the team’s wider accounts, with the goal of influencing senior business leaders to invest in the UK; understanding corporate strategies and barriers to investment; and influencing UK policy design to improve the investment environment. Working with the Deputy Director you will use research, data, and analysis to ensure we are focussed on the highest value accounts – and consider new and innovate ways of maintaining close and productive client relationships. You will also be responsible for ensuring that the team are accurately reporting activity on our bespoke CRM system.  

Sector expertise

You will work with the Deputy Director to develop big picture knowledge and expertise of key sectors, and stay up to date on developments, including UK strategies and funding, investments, opportunities and barriers, and relevant trade policy changes. You will ensure that these developments are understood at the appropriate level across the Taiwanese network. 
Particular expertise in either technology (semiconductors), energy or finance will be extremely useful.

Team management

You will line manage two Investment Advisors taking responsibility for agreeing objectives, performance management and employee development. You will also monitor your own and your team’s performance against agreed targets and act to keep work on track.

Corporate
–    10% of your time will involve contributing to the broader goals of the British Office Taiwan, including crisis preparedness exercises, and acting as a champion of the UK – Taiwan relationship, and wider UK Government values (e.g. gender equality)

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 
2 x Investment Advisors (1x EO and 1x AO)
Travel and Business Hospitality budget
Opportunity to bid for regional / post funds for projects

• Strong communication skills, including fluency in both Mandarin and English, and a willingness to be frequently out networking;
• Proven ability to lead and manage a small team ;
• At least eight years professional experience
• Commercial skills, well versed in how companies contract and structure projects
• Prior experience of business origination or business development
• Network of contacts in business and/or financial world in Taiwan
• Proven ability to take the initiative pursuing the objectives in the job description
• Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning
• Proven advisory and negotiation skills at senior levels –able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication
• Confident public speaking and networking skills
• Flexibility and agility to respond to a changing political context
• Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the role and willingness to work outside normal office hours as required;

Language requirements: 

Language:      English and Mandarin

Level of language required:       Fluent (C2) in both English and Mandarin