View Vacancy – AUS (Melbourne) – Senior Business Relationship Manager, Energy, HEO

Our network and team

This is an exciting time to join the UK government’s network in Australia.  AUKUS and our free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand present a unique opportunity to build broader and deeper economic ties.

You will sit in the 40-strong trade and investment team of the UK government network in Australia.  The network works out of the British High Commission in Canberra and the British Consulates-General in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.  It is part of the UK’s wider Asia Pacific network of over 200 people in 22 locations.  You will be expected to work collaboratively with your colleagues across the network, so it is critical that you can work as part of a team, while still focussing on your own sector and programme remits.

You do not have to be a government specialist to work in our team.  You do not have to be someone with very extensive and specific skills for unique roles.  We recruit people from a wide variety of backgrounds, with relevant and transferable skills.  If you are motivated, with good core competences, we can help you to develop the network, knowledge and expertise needed to thrive.

Main purpose of job

On behalf of the UK government, to develop relationships with potential UK product and services exporters in the energy sector, and to identify and share opportunities for investment into this sector in the UK.  To engage with and influence Australian state and federal government representatives about the value of the UK offer.  To remain aware of trends and opportunities, and to involve potential exporters and investors with these opportunities to develop the UK presence.  To provide support on business set-up, sector information, location and expansion plans.  To work across the Australia and global networks to deliver a joined-up UK government proposition.  To plan account engagement, report on activity, and track progress to inform future engagement.  To organise business and governmental delegations, events and briefings.  To support colleagues in other locations (e.g. infrastructure colleagues in other states) to engage on energy opportunities.  Your focus will be primarily on energy transition, but we work flexibly.  For example, the role currently also covers the auto sector, and you will cover a significant number of relationships and activities in the Victorian infrastructure space.  All team members at different times find themselves working in other areas: this is typically both interesting and rewarding.

The role is part of a flexible UK team covering a wide range of trade and investment sectors across Australia and is similar in content and seniority to others in the UK government operation in Australia.  The successful candidate will work with and for colleagues to promote trade and investment in Victoria and South Australia.  Applicants for this position will be considered for other vacancies in the Network.

If shortlisted, you can expect to be interviewed in late October.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

You will be a strong communicator with good interpersonal skills, able to develop trust and business relationships across government and industry.  You will need good judgement and discretion, for example when dealing with confidential commercial data.  Commercial acumen and the ability to identify opportunities of value to the UK are essential.

You will have a strong sense of collaboration and will enjoy operating within a team, whilst maintaining a strong degree of ownership of your sector.  As a strong relationship manager, you will expertly communicate with external stakeholders to understand their drivers and how the UK government can support high-value exports to Australia and attract high-value investment.  Previous experience in the energy sector, and sales or account management experience, will be advantageous.

You will actively support colleagues across the network to engage on energy opportunities.  Working to the Director of Investment, Energy and Infrastructure, you will set the UK’s strategy for services and product exports and investment in Australia and New Zealand.  This will include developing long-term engagement strategies and account plans, multi-level selling across large organisations, and hosting key industry events.

You will meet with senior company leaders to assist their expansion into the UK.  Meetings could be held virtually, or in-person in the Melbourne CBD.  When working with the project management teams in the UK, occasional early evening calls will be required due to the time difference.  Flexible working arrangements are available.

You will have a strong focus on maintaining relationships in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, but will feed into the wider UK government’s work in Australia.  You will stay abreast of industry trends and use your analytical skills to feed into the UK government’s energy strategy in Australia.  You will also be required to attend occasional industry events.

Please note that the role holder’s job specification is subject to change in line with evolving business priorities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

The job holder will manage one Executive Officer, focussed on the energy sector.  You will apply for funds from a central DBT allocation to run activities and will also have a delegated budget of £2,000 pa for business activity and travel.  You will work with marketing colleagues on managing relevant activities.

• Resilient self-starter – able to work at high intensity using own initiative, judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – able to work closely with team leaders and senior management and help drive accountability.  When required, deal with difficult situations with tact, diplomacy and a high degree of confidentiality.
• Able to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Able to deal confidently with businesses, senior figures, Ministers, VIPs, and their offices.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Able to conduct research and analysis to support and generate business opportunities.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent