Main purpose of job:

As a part of the new Agriculture, Food and Drink trade promotion and policy team in the US, this role will support the Department for International Trade’s 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, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK is also 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 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 Head of Food & Drink will work with the new Agriculture Attaché and the Trade Policy team to identify barriers to trade and investment across the US and proactively identify opportunities for market ready UK companies to achieve new business. You will be part of the North America Food and Agriculture team providing key account management in addition to providing strategic advice and assistance to companies. You will co-manage one trade associate, be a valued contributor to the regional team, and work closely with colleagues based around the US and the UK.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Work with agriculture and trade policy colleagues to identify and resolve market access barriers and position companies to take advantage of opportunities following presented by the removal of barriers.
• Assist high-growth and innovative agri-food UK companies to develop US market entry strategies and/or grow US market share and support British companies to address concerns around US trade policy or market access barriers.
• Provide a comprehensive account management service to key US clients to support positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key buyers/partners (importers, distributors, retailers) for UK agri-food companies.
• Work with the Agriculture Attaché to develop and implement high impact, targeted marketing programs and events in conjunction with stakeholder partners to build our brand awareness, promote key messaging, and showcase UK competitiveness.
• Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in North America and the UK to identify policy and commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting round tables, seminars and trade missions, and contributing to Ministerial and other VIP visit programs.
• Provide input on agri-food sector for DIT North America integrated sector and business planning process, including liaising with other DIT sector and regional leads.
• Identify opportunities in market to showcase UK food and drink, including through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s gastro-diplomacy pilot.
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Resources managed:

• Line management of one Trade & Investment Associate.
• Manage events and travel budgets.

Essential on arrival:

• Demonstrated professional experience, either in an international business, economic development or agri-food & drink role.
• Thorough knowledge of the food and drink sector in the US and the UK, including major companies.
• Thorough knowledge of market trends in the US and the UK
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills
• Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling
• Driving license.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.

Language requirements:

• Language: English
• Level of language required: excellent verbal and written English.

Desirable:

• An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy preferred.
• Experience in a supervisory role.

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

Working patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

We offer:

• Generous leave package plus public holidays
• Generous 401k matching (up to 7%)
• Excellent healthcare options
• Paid sick leave
• Generous parental leave policy
• A great work-life balance including flexible start and finish times and a hybrid working model with staff splitting their time between working from home and the office
• Short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance coverage
• High quality L&D services with global sessions and events every day to help you develop and meet organisational needs, including up to 5 days paid leave each year to pursue your professional development
• Inclusivity is one of our core values and we strive to treat everyone openly, fairly and equally. All new team members learn about how they can contribute to an inclusive environment and the importance of diversity and inclusion

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.