This is an exciting and demanding leadership role for a talented and commercially driven individual to join DIT China as Head of the Automotive Sector team and play a key role in delivering the automotive strategy element of the DIT China Regional Trade Plan ambitions, which are:

Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.
Objective 2 – Strengthened trade policy engagement with China to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals
Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

Detail:

The Department for International Trade (DIT), operating in 108 countries, is helping to secure a deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.

DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China and the Hong Kong SAR, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c180 staff across six posts - Beijing, plus Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China led by the Ambassador offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK: China and Hong Kong SAR Government relations.

As Head of Automotive, you will have a depth of insight into the automotive element of the UK future mobility strategy, and be aware of UK interests relevant to automotive enabled commercial sectors. You will have commercial expertise, understand UK strengths and how to position these in China. You will also need strong communication, organisational and management skills to lead your team, encouraging a ‘one-team’ approach across the Consulate and the wider China Network, DIT and China-Britain Business Council’s (CBBC’s) regional offices to meet – and exceed - challenging service delivery targets. While at the same time nurturing and developing a culture of excellence in building long-term client relationships, and understanding longer term opportunities (and barriers). A proactive approach in identifying and developing business opportunities and relationships with key stakeholders in automotive sector, and supporting major trade projects being targeted under the High Value Campaign programme is essential. You will provide support on market access issues as well as promoting UK Automotive excellence in the China market.

The jobholder will report directly to the Head of Advanced Manufacturing & Transport and will have management responsibility of four locally engaged staff in four posts. The jobholder will be part of a friendly, innovative, high performing team. They will need to develop a sound understanding of the sector in order to be able to spot and develop opportunities. The jobholder will need to leverage our resource – across the team; the wider China network; and external networks – inspiring others to work with them to deliver challenging targets.

Roles and responsibilities:

Relationship Management and Strategy Development(40%)

• Lead the automotive team to focus on achieving optimal commercial returns for the UK by ensuring that the sector maintains and further develops effective joint working and increased collaboration with DIT sectors, cross government colleagues and with key industry bodies and think tanks, keeping abreast of emerging automotive and future mobility strategies.
• Agree a suite of GVA commercial targets, measures and metrics for driving exports, improving market access and two way flow of investment (ODI and FDI) with the Head of Advanced Manufacturing & Transport that is informed by engagement with the DIT UK sector team and with DIT Regional Directors in Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine for Growth; London; and the South and East Regions as well as with the Devolved Administrations
• Ensure that ‘best in class’ strategic relationship management plans and practices are in place and adhered to across your sector, offering tailored and gold plated services to key investors in line with the ‘One List’ strategic guidance
• Forge strong working relationships with the Consul General, plus active engagement with Political, Economic, Prosperity and Science and Innovation teams, as well as with key partners such as British Chambers of Commerce, British Council, CBI and China Britain Business Council, UK Visa and Immigration Services and Visit Britain.

Trade and Investment Promotion (30%):

• Support and lead on a series of trade promotion and marketing events to raise the profile and positive perception of the UK’s automotive offer under specific GREAT campaigns, and deliver against trade and investment targets
• Ensure automotive team grows strong pipelines of trade and investment prospects by focusing them on lead generation activity, including research, events, visits, marketing, engagement with partners etc to support the development of a quality pipeline that is aligned to the delivery of tangible commercial success.
• Leverage maximum trade and investment potential from a heavy programme of Ministerial, VIP visits and other high level bilateral activity with ambitious, future focused market access trade policy and promotion plans

Business Environment and Market Access (20%)

• Identify trade policy and market access barriers with and a long term perspective to achieve sustainable change in key areas that will create more opportunities for British businesses.
• Develop strong relationships with relevant regional government bodies to help overcome strategic trade market access and barriers and navigate the complex political landscape with a clear eye on commercial objectives

Corporate Contribution (10%)

• As one of DIT sector leads in Shanghai / other you will play a key role in ensure that DIT and automotive team in particular will actively and constructively participate in Consulate activities
• Promote and contribute to the Consulate’s regional business plan and network values.
• You will lead a geographically dispersed high quality team across DIT’s network in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan and with Hong Kong by having well developed matrix and distance management skills and will encourage close collaboration with FCO and Consulate counterparts.

• Excellent spoken and writtern English and Chinese
• Commercial experience, in government or private sector
• Strong oganisational and management skills to lead a team
• Computer literate, knowledge of internet research and Microsoft Office

• Bachelor's degree or above is preferred
• 4-5 years relevant working experience, in either private or public sector roles
• Previous experience in the Automotive sector will be advantageous

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 27, 596/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 35, 959/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Beijing is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

Submission of applications has been extended until 23:55 (CST) on 12 June 2019.

You are also required to submit a "100 day plan detailing your approach for your first 100 days in the role" (no more than one side of A4) to APAC.Recruitment@fco.gov.uk on or before 23:55 on 12 June 2019.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.