View Vacancy – Senior Trade and Investment Officer – Infrastructure

Main purpose of job:

Be a part of the Department for Business & 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, the second highest investment destination in the world, and 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 (see www.gov.uk/DBT).    

 Based at the British Consulate General in Toronto, the Senior Trade and Investment Officer for Infrastructure will engage with the fast-growing Infrastructure sector in the greater Toronto area to identify export opportunities for the UK’s leading companies. They will also collaborate with innovative Canadian companies looking to enter or expand in the UK market.

This role has a nationwide remit, working with stakeholders across major provinces and fitting within the Canadian Infrastructure team, which is part of a broader North America Infrastructure network.

We are seeking an ambitious individual to take ownership and drive growth in the Infrastructure sector in Canada, focusing on transit, healthcare, and climate-resilient infrastructure. You will engage frequently with senior decision-makers to identify and cultivate new investment and export opportunities, bringing jobs and investment to the UK and expanding business opportunities for UK companies. Additionally, you will contribute to the wider work of the British Consulate General in Toronto and work closely with colleagues in the UK to support His Majesty’s Government’s policy objectives, including Ministerial visits, large-scale events, and policy development.

Roles and responsibilities:

 Provide comprehensive account management to key Canadian prospects looking to maintain or grow their footprint in the UK within infrastructure subsectors such as transit, healthcare, education, and housing supportive infrastructure.

Successfully identify, build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and R&D to the UK. 

Assist high-growth and innovative UK companies to develop Canadian market entry strategies and/or grow Canadian market share; and support established British companies in-market to address any concerns around Canadian trade policy or market access barriers. 

Develop deep and positive relationships with senior Canadian and UK business leaders, trade associations, regional infrastructure companies and providers and other key buyers/partners within the industry.

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 in infrastructure industry. 

Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in Canada and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients.

Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting roundtables, seminars and trade missions, and contributing to Ministerial and other VIP visit programs. 

Collaborate on cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals, including on free trade negotiations, market access and deepening science and innovation collaboration.

Represent the British Consulate and the UK. Contribute to delivery of wider objectives of the consulate during events, ministerial and trade envoy visits and conferences.

Other duties as required.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Joint line management responsibility
• Travel and event budgets

• Demonstrated professional experience in a business development, economic development or science role.
• Experience in the Infrastructure industry and knowledge of major companies and trends in Canada and preferably in the UK.
• Strong stakeholder management, interpersonal and teamwork skills with ability to interact effectively with senior government officials, business leaders, scientists, and the public.
• Proven ability to work independently, multitask, and feel at ease networking at mid- to senior-level.
• Excellent presentation skills with ability to produce clear, concise written reports and a knack for talking to range of expert and non-subject expert audiences.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in Canada and internationally up to 20% of your allocated work hours.