Foreign Students Director jobs in San Francisco, CA

Be 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, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK is also 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.

Based at British Consulate-General in San Francisco, the Deputy Director for Technology will work closely with the Sector Director, Technology, to deliver key priorities of the sector plan for 2023-4. This will include leading technology activity in the Silicon Valley region, by proactively identifying opportunities for market ready UK companies, and working with US companies seeking to launch into, or expand in the UK market. The role will account manage some of the leading companies in the sector and will build relationships with leaders in the business community. There will also be line management of one or more Senior Trade and Investment Officers in the tech, and two Trade & Investment Officers.

Additionally, the successful applicant will be expected to exercise their sector knowledge and judgement in support of the Sector Director across the US to: provide additional sector leadership capacity within the network; support sector policy and market access barrier analysis; build sub-sector priorities; and manage strategic key accounts. This will include periodically deputising for the Sector Director, and travel outside of the candidate’s primary Post.

Roles and responsibilities:

• With the Sector Director, shape and deliver an ambitious sector business plan for the US in consultation with stakeholders and wider UK Government Departments. Plan and lead cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
• Work with the Silicon Valley and Pacific Northwest Regional Director to take a leadership role in important technology related initiatives and priorities.
• Represent Tech in cross-departmental and cross-UK government working groups.
• Provide support to Tech Senior Trade and Investment Officers across the US network, to curate and deliver a pipeline of impactful investment projects into the UK, as well as supporting on pipelines of UK export-ready companies.
• Provide a comprehensive account management service to key US clients in the Tech sector looking to maintain or grow their footprint in the UK, and build a pipeline of emerging Tech companies that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and R&D to the UK.
• Build a pipeline of US-market ready UK tech companies that are ready to establish and scale in the US; proactively identify expansion opportunities through strategic assistance, advice and trade mission activity.
• Build and maintain an effective network in the Tech sector in the Silicon Valley area, including with US and UK business leaders, trade associations, and other key buyers/partners.
• 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 technology.
• 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.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop, plan and deliver high-impact programming, including round tables, seminars and trade missions, and contributing to Ministerial and other VIP visit programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line management of one or more Senior Trade and Investment Officer/s and two Trade & Investment Officers.
• Manage events and travel budgets.

Essential on arrival:

• Professional experience, gained within a business development or economic development role, ideally in a related sector.
• Sector specific experience required including but not limited to AI, Quantum, Software and Semiconductors.
• Proven management and leadership skills with the ability to deliver results through others.
• Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning.
• An excellent network of industry contacts in the Technology sector in the US and the ability to develop new networks with senior business and industry leaders.
• Knowledge of market trends in the US and preferably in the UK.
• Excellent stakeholder management abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.

Language requirements:

Language: English
Level of language required: excellent verbal and written English.

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

• A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

Desirable:

• An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy preferred.

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

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including:

• Generous leave package plus public holidays
• Generous 401k matching (up to 7%)
• Excellent healthcare options
• Paid sick leave
• Generous parental leave policy
• A great work-life balance including flexible start and finish times and a hybrid working model with staff splitting their time between working from home and the office
• Short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance coverage
• High quality L&D services with global sessions and events every day to help you develop and meet organisational needs, including up to 5 days paid leave each year to pursue your professional development
• Inclusivity is one of our core values and we strive to treat everyone openly, fairly and equally. All new team members learn about how they can contribute to an inclusive environment and the importance of diversity and inclusion

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We actively encourage learning & development and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.

Working patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.