View Vacancy – Trade and Investment Officer, Clean Energy – British Consulate-General Houston

Main purpose of job:
Be a part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) 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 a passion and drive to help us promote exports to North America of British goods and services, two-way investment between the UK and North America, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade (see www.gov.uk/DBT).   

Based at the British Consulate-General, Houston, the Trade & Investment Officer supports the North America (NA) Sector Director and Senior Trade & Investment Officer for Clean Energy covering both NA and specifically the South-Central region of the United States, which includes the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. You will be part of the North America teams with responsibility for Clean Energy, as well as a valued contributor to the regional team based in Houston. You will also work closely with colleagues based around the UK.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Identify and reach out to innovative Clean Energy companies interested in establishing or expanding operations and R&D opportunities in the UK to build pipeline of ambitious foreign direct investment projects.
• Support in developing US market opportunities for a broad range of UK exporters.
• Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Develop knowledge of the Clean Energy markets of the South-Central Region.
• Support positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, trade associations, and other key partners and buyers.
• Support initiatives such as trade missions and participation at trade shows to foster economic opportunities for the UK and US.
• Support high-profile visits, including UK Ministerial and VIP delegations, including by scheduling high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials.
• Consult with clients to manage and coordinate client events.
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK prosperity and trade policy goals.
• Provide operational and administrative support to the US Clean Energy Team, including maintaining client and project database, target and pipeline delivery.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Professional experience/skills in a business, economic development or project management role.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills with a professional and helpful manner.
• Ability to undertake research, follow market trends to identify new opportunities, and engage existing/potential contacts.
• Excellent organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An interest in or understanding of the clean energy industry.
• Ability to use a variety of online and social media tools.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel within the US and UK up to 5-10% of your time.
• Must have existing legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

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.