Director, Technology

Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

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 economy, world-class 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 seventh 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.

The Sector Director for Technology provides agile and visible leadership of a Technology sector team across North America to ensure sector delivery of the North America network’s strategy and objectives. The role sets and implements the UK’s strategy for increasing transatlantic trade and investment in Technology, represents the UK Government in a range of high-profile settings and is a valued contributor to the relevant based regional team.

• Lead and develop an agile and effective sector team for the emerging technology industries.
• Shape and deliver an ambitious integrated sector business plan in consultation with stakeholders and wider UK Government Departments.
• Using the reach of the UK Government, seek to influence effective trade policies in the UK and US as it relates to the technology industries.
• Link the national trade and investment technology strategy into the US Network’s federal and regional trade policy work, including leveraging the Tech Prosperity Deal to drive commercial outcomes and address barriers to both trade and investment flows.
• Regularly review progress against targets to ensure effective delivery by team.
• Using your expertise, drive strategic discussion and planning with policy teams in the US Network as well as UK-based counterparts.
• Work closely with relevant Directors of Trade to provide regional leadership, including support of Consuls General.
• Provide in-person support across North America for major events, VIP/Ministerial visits, or high value investment and export deals.
• Key account management of existing and potential high value investors and trade partners, using business intelligence to influence business planning.
• Work with marketing team to develop digital campaigns and PR to highlight successful investments and UK export deals and showcase UK leadership and innovation.
• Manage budget and make resource recommendations to senior leadership.
• International and regional travel expected.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Strategic leadership of the US Technology sector team of 14 people.
• Direct line management of Officers depending on successful candidate location.
• Financial responsibility for multiple programme activities that include other Government stakeholders and involve commercial sponsor ships.
• Oversight and management of team budget.

Level of language required:
Expert

• Substantial professional experience, gained within a business development or economic development role, ideally in the Technology industries.
• In-depth knowledge of Technology.
• Excellent management and leadership skills with the ability to deliver results through others.
• Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning.
• Proven advisory and influencing skills at senior levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An excellent network of industry contacts and the ability to develop new networks with senior business and industry leaders.
• An…