View Vacancy – SRR – DBT Deputy Head of Export Support Service (HEO)

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Deputy Head of Export Support Service, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO), under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) on a fixed term contract for two (2) years, with the possibility of extension.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK Government’s department for economic growth. We promote British trade and investment across the world, support UK business overseas, and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries.

DBT divides the world into nine (9) regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). The Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) region is led from Dubai and represents 11 markets with a team of some 120 staff.

This role is part of DBT’s Export Support Service International Markets (ESS IM), a free government service that supports UK Small-Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to export across the world, with market-specific insight and guidance, provided by DBT teams based around the world. As part of DBT’s global ecosystem of export support for UK businesses, the ESS IM MEaP Hub is the first port of call for SMEs looking to explore MEaP’s extensive trading opportunities. Economic growth is the UK government’s top priority, and ESS IM is part of the government’s commitment to support UK businesses to export and sell to the world.

It is an exciting time to join the IM ESS team in MEaP – with the service having launched only three years ago (April 2022), this role offers the opportunity to drive the development of IM ESS in the MEaP network.

About the role

Consumer goods, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Food & Drink, you name it: UK companies and products are highly regarded and sought after across MEaP for their quality and innovation. With the support of DBT, thousands of UK companies discover new markets and opportunities every year.

IM ESS MEaP is the region’s universal entry point for UK business. The main purpose of the team is to help UK SMEs access and enter MEaP markets and win business. The team and the Deputy Head role function on a regional basis, providing support the Head of IM ESS in MEaP and colleagues in DBT in Saudi Arabia and the wider MEaP region, whilst working with International Trade Advisors in the UK and large numbers of British SMEs.

We are looking for a motivated and ambitious leader to be based at the British Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this role, the successful candidate will line manage three (3) International Markets Advisors (IMAs): two based in Riyadh and one based in Jeddah. You will also provide support to the Head of IM ESS MEaP based in Dubai, and to the wider IM ESS MEaP team of advisors, distributed across the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan. This job may require some travel to alternate posts across the region as per business and office demands. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the IM ESS team in Saudi Arabia and support the Head of IM ESS in MEaP and wider team of advisors across the region. This includes supporting the development of team strategy and optimisation of our operations.
• Provide line management, coaching, and overall support to three (3) International Market Advisors (IMAs). This includes regular 1-2-1 meetings, performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, and helping employees meet or exceed their targets and development goals.
• Build and manage effective working relationships with senior leaders in DBT Saudi Arabia, colleagues across DBT (MEaP and UK colleagues including International Trade Advisers and Sector teams), and external partners and stakeholders.
• Working with relevant DBT colleagues, establish and manage strategic stakeholder relations with Saudi Arabia’s Giga and Mega Projects and the development of a referral system in service of the support for UK SMEs. This may also include cross-collaboration with colleagues across DBT to support the organisation of Supply Chain Forums and other events in service of UK SMEs.
• Lead on pro-active outreach and engagement with local stakeholders and businesses in the Kingdom to explore potential for collaboration and promotion of UK SME export opportunities. Lead on the development of an effective database of stakeholders, retailers, and distributors to help facilitate UK SME success.
• Working with relevant DBT Sector leads across busy consumer sectors, develop an effective approach to regular submissions of UK SMEs to key retailers and distributors in Saudi Arabia, facilitating successful market entry.
• Develop and maintain a directory of off-the-shelf market guidance for Saudi Arabia, including general information on incorporation, certification, and regulations to support IM ESS MEaP in providing meaningful advice to UK SMEs.
• Collaborate with DBT colleagues and Saudi regulators to monitor opportunities and challenges faced by UK SMEs.
• Lead on engagement with UK stakeholders such as The UK Export Academy, trade associations, and International Trade Advisors to build awareness of KSA IM ESS services for high export potential companies based in the UK.
• Support and feed into the development of regular online webinars, quarterly newsletters, and other means to promote the IM ESS MEaP service to internal stakeholders and an audience of High Potential exporters in the UK.
• Manage strategic relationships with Saudi private and public sector entities to support UK SME market entry. Develop partnerships with professional services firms for company registration, customs clearance, banking, marketing, and business development services. Evaluate new applications from Saudi companies for DBT’s Overseas Referral Network (ORN) and Export Support Directory (ESD) of private sector partners.
• Conduct market research and draft reports in service of UK SME support. Analyse market trends and enquiry information to regularly inform the Head of Trade and Head of IM ESS MEaP of any significant business opportunities, and to help inform business and workforce planning exercises.
• Alongside the team of IMAs, provide regular hands-on support to UK business. This will include conducting market research and stakeholder outreach in support of UK SMEs when our services are in high demand, resulting in high enquiry volumes.
• Act as an advocate for IM ESS MEaP externally and internally and embed the team into MEaP way of working.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

• Managing a Quality Service – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Changing and Improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Eligibility:

• The successful candidate must be able to secure a local residence and work permit in Saudi (iqama) OR already have the right to work and reside in Saudi.
• The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy’s sponsorship.

• Experience of leading a commercially focused team to deliver value for money outcomes, ideally in Saudi Arabia or an international environment.
• Previously held or currently in a position with significant experience and responsibility in either the public or private sector in Saudi Arabia or an international environment.
• Proven track record of team leadership and management, including remote team management.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience managing senior and external stakeholders.
• Team player capable of working on their own initiative as well as with others, including in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Strong customer focus and ability to deliver a quality service
• A proven record of organisational ability. Able to organise and prioritise workload and meet deadlines and changing priorities whilst maintaining close attention to detail and without compromising the quality of the work.
• The ability to learn quickly and work with a high degree of autonomy.
• A positive ‘can-do’ attitude that can see way through challenges. Resilient, decisive, and with a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook).