HM Trade Commissioner

Job description / Role

HM Trade Commissioner - Middle East and Pakistan, Consul General Dubai

We are now recruiting a visionary, commercially-minded leader to take up an exciting and high-impact role leading work to grow the UK’s trade across the Middle East and Pakistan.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helps UK businesses to export and secures inward and outward investment. Our work is of crucial importance in leading the UK’s strategy as an independent trading nation.

We help UK businesses to grow by selling their products overseas - our aim is to grow UK exports every year until we sell over a trillion pounds of goods and services to the world a year by 2030.

We are also helping to make the UK the top investment destination in Europe. We are the voice of business in government and attract new investment into communities across the UK, helping business across the UK develop and thrive.

The Middle East is one of the UK’s most important trade and investment partners. Middle Eastern countries are currently a significant investor in many aspects of the UK economy. The region as a whole represents a significant trade opportunity for the UK built on established foundation of the successful exporting of complex machinery, metals, high quality food and beverages.

We are now seeking a motivated and talented professional to play a pivotal role in the UK’s trade relationship with the region.

In close cooperation with DBT HQ, Ambassadors and Consuls General in the region, the role will lead the design of a bold and ambitious vision through the creation and implementation of a Regional Trade Plan.

The post-holder will be required to help foster and enhance the economic and commercial relationship between the UK and the Middle East and Pakistan by attracting high quality foreign direct investment; driving high-value campaigns for exports and projecting the right image and brand for the UK. While the role is primarily based in Dubai there will be travel across the Middle East and beyond.

You will also cultivate impactful and powerful strategic relationships with major stakeholders from the UK and across the region, including: business leaders, MEaP ministers and government officials, Sovereign Wealth funds and UHNW investors as well as UK Ministers and senior officials across all government departments.

You will also have additional responsibility as a Consul General for Dubai, leading an experienced team of over 100 people.

As the role presents a unique challenge, we are looking for candidates with appropriate experience. Your experience of leading complex, diverse and demanding organisations, preferably involving a matrix management environment, will be crucial to your success here.

The ideal individual will also have strong commercial acumen, understanding the pressures facing businesses overseas, combined with a sound judgement and diplomacy - demonstrated by a track record of working successfully in an environment with very senior stakeholders. Middle Eastern experience will be helpful but not essential.

You will also have excellent collaboration and influencing skills sufficient to lead the regions trade and investment on behalf of the UK government, and will be comfortable in a high-profile and public-facing role – including involvement in media and public events.

This is a high profile and impactful post, offering real challenge, autonomy and an opportunity to make a real difference to the UK’s position in the world.

Salary:
GBP 100,000 to 125,000 per month inclusive of fixed allowances.
Additional benefits: Up to £125k plus suitable overseas living allowance

Requirements

The ideal individual will also have strong commercial acumen, understanding the pressures facing businesses overseas, combined with a sound judgement and diplomacy - demonstrated by a track record of working successfully in an environment with very senior stakeholders. Middle Eastern experience will be helpful but not essential.

You will also have excellent collaboration and influencing skills sufficient to lead the regions trade and investment on behalf of the UK government, and will be comfortable in a high-profile and public-facing role – including involvement in media and public events.

About the Company

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helps UK businesses to export and secures inward and outward investment. Our work is of crucial importance in leading the UK’s strategy as an independent trading nation.