View Vacancy – International Trade Specialist, Energy Transition – Scottish Development International (Boston, Houston or San Jose)

Main purpose of job:

Scottish Development International is seeking an International Trade Specialist, Energy Transition to join our SDI team in the USA.

This is a unique opportunity to join a high performing team and grow exports of Scottish energy transition companies in the USA. The focus will be on offshore wind but can include other sectors central to the energy transition including clean heat, clean hydrogen and CCUS. The role will involve engaging with senior stakeholders and high-profile companies in market to identify opportunities for Scottish energy companies to collaborate with US businesses and contribute to the global energy transition.

Reporting into the SVP of Energy Transition for the Americas, the successful candidate will focus on supporting existing exporters to grow their sales in the USA while also identifying opportunities for Scottish exporters to open new markets for the first time.

Roles and responsibilities:

Trade Development

• Identify key customers operating in the energy transition sector in the USA, particularly in Offshore Wind and take a strategic account management role, understanding complex procurement and supply chain requirements whilst looking to identify potential opportunities for Scottish companies
• Develop and lead the forming of partnerships with other relevant stakeholders and trade associations to identify platforms for collaborative or strategic engagement between Scotland and the USA in the relevant area
• Identify and attend sector-specific trade shows, exhibitions and conferences in the market/region to promote Scotland’s proposition in the relevant sector; expand your network of contacts; and identify opportunities for Scottish companies
• Gather market intelligence and scope/explore new opportunities for Scottish companies. Report on trends to sector family teams and companies as appropriate looking to influence effective working moving forward. Look for potential cross-sector opportunities
• Identify and articulate specific business opportunities to sector family teams, trade advisors and work with Scottish companies to help them respond to these opportunities. Track progress and update Dynamics as appropriate
• Lead on the delivery of webinars and use social media, including LinkedIn, to highlight key market opportunities to raise awareness of key market opportunities for Scottish companies
• Take a creative approach to trade development work, supporting colleagues by looking for innovative ways to create demand for Scottish goods and services in the energy transition sector

Trade Support

• Act as field lead within wider account team working to provide trade advice and guidance to Scottish companies looking to access opportunities in market within the sector
• Support Scottish companies with market entry and growth strategies and develop a deep understanding of routes to market, business environment and regulatory framework
• Work with colleagues in Scotland to deliver visit programmes, trade missions and learning journeys for Scottish companies, providing added value for participating companies by introducing them to your network of contacts and setting up 1-2-1 meetings for them while in market
• Update CRM with details of all company support provided and how it has helped to deliver against SDI’s objectives.  Update account team members on the impact of any support provided
• Develop constructive and mutually beneficial working relationships with Inward investment and Scottish Government hub colleagues
• Develop and act as lead in ensuring close working relationships with other partners including DBT, British Chambers of Commerce, GlobalScot, and other in-market industry trade bodies who can add value to SDI’s work with Scottish companies in-market

The International Trade specialist will have contact with a range of people and stakeholders both internally and externally. They will be involved in providing complex information, negotiating changes, securing agreement to proposed actions and providing advice to senior management.

• University degree, Business/Economics or applicable subject
• Significant demonstrated experience in business development
• Proven customer relationship management skills
• Diagnostic, strategic challenger, influencer and facilitation skills
• Knowledge and understanding of the offshore wind industry in the USA, and ability to engage credibly with senior representatives
• Knowledge of energy transition business environment and regulatory framework
• Excellent stakeholder and account management skills
• Market and sector knowledge in relation to international trade to enable the provision of advice to companies, colleagues and partners
• Ability to work on own initiative
• A collaborative team player who can work successfully within a regional team to achieve common objectives
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.