View Vacancy – Country Head – Canada (UK Export Finance)

Introduction:

On behalf of UK Export Finance (UKEF), the British Consulate General in Toronto is seeking a Country Head for Canada to be based in Toronto. 

The UK Government is adding to its international network to continue deepening the UK’s commercial relationship with North America in a mutually beneficial manner.  Finance is a critical part of promoting more trade between the UK and our overseas partners. This role provides an opportunity to help shape the long-term UK partnership for prosperity and stability with Canada building on strong foundations.

UKEF’s Country Head will join a regional team across UKEF, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).   

About UK Export Finance:

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency (ECA) and operates in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). 

UKEF’s mission is to advance prosperity by ensuring that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance and insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.  In 2022/23, UKEF provided £6.4 billion worth of support for UK exports to nearly 100 countries.

UKEF Business Plan:

UKEF’s 5‑year strategic plan sets out how UKEF will grow the impact it delivers for the UK public and international partners looking out to 2029. You can read our latest Business Plan in full here and Annual Report and Accounts here.

Partners, stakeholders and observers:

UKEF works closely with partners within government, most notably the Department for Business and Trade and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. In the private sector our partners include trade associations, financial institutions, project developers, sponsors, and corporates.

Our work is varied and complex, spanning all business sectors and all corners of the world. UKEF is delighted to have been named best Export Credit Agency by Global Trade Review and Trade Finance Global. This is a recognition of our innovative approach to supporting exporters, comprehensive product offering and substantial appetite to take on new business. 

About the Department for Business and Trade:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK government department that helps foster UK exports and inward investment. DBT officers at overseas FCOD Posts liaise with the UK headquarters and other departments across the British Government to generate commercial, policy and institutional collaborations. 

Main purpose of job:

The jobholder will be responsible for promoting UKEF’s export finance capabilities and developing opportunities in Canada, working closely with the UKEF network across the Americas and around the world.  The jobholder will be a senior representative for UKEF in Canada based at the British Diplomatic Post in Toronto. The role is high profile and strategic in nature, with the core purpose to promote export growth through finance by building relationships and partnerships with government, business and other stakeholders. You will work closely with a wider team across British Government Departments including local DBT and FCDO leads, with access to the British Consul-General and HM Trade Commissioner. 

You will also work closely with UKEF representatives across regions, including on third country collaboration opportunities with Canadian contractors, and report into UKEF London HQ.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

The jobholder will deliver HMG’s trade and investment objectives through raising awareness of the UKEF offer in order to build UKEF’s pipeline of bankable projects in Canada and third countries. They will work with the DBT, FCDO and UKEF management teams to do so. The jobholder will help build UKEF’s business pipeline by focusing on five (5) areas of activity: 

1. Create and deliver strategic plans to build, expand and progress new business opportunities for UKEF
   •    Develop regional strategies for promotion of UKEF products in Canada each year, working closely with the London team. Conduct regular reviews and tailor objectives as market conditions change.
   •    Support wider trade strategic planning aligned to UKEF organisational objectives, supporting export campaigns where ‘leading with finance’ could be an important driver.
   •    Build and manage a diversified pipeline of deal opportunities for UKEF across Canada and third countries.
2. Progress business development opportunities
   •    Lead the local coordination of UKEF campaign activities.
   •    Lead UKEF collaboration with the local trade team to develop innovative export solutions for UK companies.
   •    Coordinate and support visits from UKEF management.
   •    Demonstrate a strong command of the UK supply chain in key areas such as energy and infrastructure.
   •    Engage in early-stage structuring and bankability assessments of new transactions, working in close coordination with UKEF’s London team to enhance the prospects of UKEF involvement in overseas projects.
3. Build awareness of UKEF capabilities in Canada and North America, where necessary
   •    Raise the profile of UKEF regionally through engagement with the local business community, government bodies, and other stakeholder organisations.
   •    Represent UKEF on panels and through interviews in local and international media, ensuring that messages are appropriate to the audience.
   •    Develop and implement promotion activities that educate the local/ regional business community on UKEF products.
   •    Build UKEF knowledge base within the DBT network.
   •    Build UKEF’s reputation in Canada by being a credible, visible leader.
   •    Coordinate and support visits from UKEF management as well as those from senior officials and ministers, as required.
4. Build and share market knowledge
   •   Develop knowledge and insight of public and private sector organisations, including their strategic business planning and development objectives. Implement findings into UKEF strategic plans.
   •   Understand and interpret host government development plans, priority sectors, and projects.
   •   Act as the lead source of UKEF advice to local DBT and FCDO teams, including integration of UKEF objectives in priority campaigns (including inter alia energy, infrastructure and mining).
   •   Regularly share insight with London/HQ teams to inform product and policy development.
   •   Feed into briefings for senior officials and ministers.
5. Establish and maintain stakeholder relationships
   •   Use existing knowledge and experience to build business networks and enhance the profile of UKEF, leverage UKEF’s existing relationship base and identifying potential new customers.
   •   Maintain and develop regular contacts with local senior sponsors, project developers, banks, public sector organisations, government bodies, and UK businesses to identify export opportunities that could benefit from UKEF support.
   •   Engage with UKEF’s global network to identify opportunities of mutual interest in third markets with international sponsors and contractors
   •   Build and maintain relationships with other countries’ export finance bodies to learn lessons.
   •   Take a client coverage approach to relationship management, putting the customer first in engagements and leveraging senior support from London/HQ and the wider British mission.
6. Contribute to the corporate life of the Consulate as part of Team Canada’s vision

This list is not exhaustive; the Country Head may be required to carry out additional duties according to business needs.  The Country Head would be expected to take on a wider corporate contribution to working life in the Embassy or Consulate General, as applicable.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 
None

• Degree and/or equivalent professional financial or accounting experience
• At least eight years professional experience
• Banking and financial sector career experience
• Commercial skills, well versed in how companies contract and structure projects
• Prior experience of business origination/ business development
• Proven experience of structured finance / trade finance
• Network of contacts in business and financial world in country.
• 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
• Ability to translate technical issues for generalist audiences
• Experience working with exporters and project developers
• Competent in Microsoft Office applications
• Confident public speaking and networking skills
• Recognition of the importance of developing a strong business network
• Able to fulfil the travel requirements of the role and work outside normal office hours as required

Language requirements: 

Language:  English. 

Level of language required:  Fluent oral and written