Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Financial and Professional Services

Be part of the Business Innovation Science and Trade (BIST) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a mature, high spending consumer market and an open 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 seventh largest exporter and the second largest services exporter.

We employ over 150 people across North America, all dedicated to increasing economic growth to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected. 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 markets; and promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains (see Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade - ).

Based at the British Consulate-General in Atlanta, the Senior Trade and Investment Officer (STIO) for Financial and Professional Services sector will be responsible for developing positive relationships with senior executives from companies in the Financial Services sector, predominantly Fintech, Asset Management, Insurance, and Professional Services, across the Atlanta region. You will play a key role as an account manager to these firms, some of which are the most important investors in the UK within the sector.

This involves frequent engagement with key decision makers and proactive work to identify and cultivate potential new investment opportunities for US companies in your portfolio.

The role of the Senior Trade and Investment Officer is to increase cross-border economic cooperation, attract foreign direct investment into the UK economy, and support British businesses with US market entry. You will be part of the North America Financial Services team as well as a valued contributor to the Atlanta based DBT team, working closely with colleagues from around the US and UK.

• Provide a comprehensive account management service to key US prospects in the financial and professional services sectors looking to maintain or grow their footprint in the UK.
• Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and investment to the UK.
• Assist high-growth and innovative UK SMEs, the UK’s leading fintechs, as well as established British businesses to develop US market entry strategies and / or grow US market share; and support established British companies in-market to address any concerns around US trade policy or market access barriers.
• Assist UK professional services companies, including legal, accounting, and consulting firms, with raising their brand profile across the Atlanta region.
• Deliver against an ambitious set of annual trade and investment targets.
• Forge positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, from start-ups through F500, as well as trade associations, local development agencies, regional financial and professional services providers and other key buyers/partners within the financial and professional services 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 the financial and professional services industries.
• Keep pace with market trends in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting round tables, trade missions and matchmaking events, seminars and supporting VIP visit programs.
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
• Represent BIST and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
• Represent BIST and the British Consulate on the board of the British-American Business Council, Atlanta.
• Assist in a consular crisis, if required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• This role will operate as part of a wider North America sector team. The role currently does not have any direct reports.
• Events and travel budgets.

• Demonstrated professional experience in an economic development, financial…