Who are we? 

The British Embassy Vienna is part of a network, representing British political interests overseas. We are currently looking for a Head of Trade for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), a pivotal role within the Management Team.

The position will carry the responsibility for coordinating and setting functional direction on UK exports for the wider team which currently includes two Senior Trade Advisors. Furthermore,  there will be close alignment with one Market Access Advisor and responsibility for supporting the team to break down barriers to trade. It will be crucial for the position holder to provide senior leadership oversight of one or more key sectors, and to take ownership for project and performance management across the whole team.

We are looking for a candidate who is delivery-focussed, able to inspire and motivate a team and build positive relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including at the most senior levels. There will be regular senior external engagement opportunities. The Head of Trade will deputise the Country Director, from time to time, holding relationships at the highest level across business and government. In addition, we see opportunities for collaboration across the DACH markets (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and encourage the position holder to identify export synergies for British companies. We foresee the possibility to lead Europe wide projects within the Europe Exports Steering Committee proactively and on demand.

The jobholder will lead business development into the Austrian market. Confident and competent interaction with senior decision makers in companies will be essential, along with the ability to achieve impact at public events and deliver effective promotional messages on UK strengths. The jobholder will be measured against a range of challenging performance metrics including export growth, outreach impact and pipeline development. There will be a requirement to build capability within the team including upskilling digital skills/financial literacy/people management.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve

Business Development:

• Lead trade team to build pipeline that captures the team’s forthcoming export deals and accelerate focus on high-value, market-access and key-account management-driven exports work.
• Organise key events and activities which support British trade work in Austria including webinars, roadshows, trade missions and Ministerial visits.

Leadership:

• Provide senior oversight and strategic direction on specific industrial sectors to guide the translation of departmental priorities and the UK’s new Industrial Strategy into clear Austrian-specific strategies and narratives.

Advisory:

• Provide competent support and advice to British companies wishing to enter the Austrian market across key sectors (experience with advanced tech and defence-related products and services is an advantage).
• Analyse, advise on sector related as well as economic developments in Austria and UK to identify opportunities and synergies.

Relationship Management:

• Build strategic relationships with organisations (private and public), to increase British trade by identifying export opportunities and future economic partnerships.
• Lead on the development of effective partnerships and networks with Austrian stakeholders such as industry, investors, academia and organisational bodies.
• Collaborate with colleagues from across the UK Government, in particular the Department for Business and Trade, as well as national and regional Austrian entities.

• Fluent written and spoken English as well as German (minimum level required C1 under the CEFRL* or equivalent).
• Knowledge and understanding of Austrian and UK business environment.
• Experienced networker with the ability to establish relationships in Austria & UK & engage confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Commercial acumen, enterprising business track record.
• Experience of managing a team delivering against multiple priorities.
• Resilient, purposeful and empathetic leadership to drive change, maintain delivery and support morale.
• Fast learning, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills.