Head of DBT West

Job Description Main Purpose of Job: This is a new role leading the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Japan team’s work to develop opportunities in the West of Japan. This role will be responsible for DBT’s presence in Western Japan, leading the team to support both Japanese and British companies across a range of high-profile industry sectors. This role and the team will be externally-facing, flexibly working on all sectors across commercial growth opportunities in the West of Japan, with a focus on investment in priority sectors initially including life sciences, advanced manufacturing and AI/tech. The role will work together with the Deputy Consul General in Osaka and sector specialist teams in Tokyo to identify and develop opportunities, strategically deploying seniors in Osaka (Consul General) as well as more widely (HM Ambassador, HM Trade Commissioner, DBT Country Director, UK visitors etc) to advance the most significant commercial wins in the region. What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve: Lead DBT’s presence in the British Consulate-General Osaka: ・Identify and shape key commercial opportunities for the UK in the West of Japan and lead team to seize and develop these to deliver the UK’s growth objective. ・Set and deliver against clear targets, building an evidence base for the UK dedicated growth-focused presence across core priority sectors in the West of Japan. ・Establish strong relationships across industry stakeholders (focusing on the most important clients and investors in the West of Japan) and implement an effective account management approach. ・Develop innovative strategies for lead generation and working with comms colleagues on an integrated marketing approach (e.g. GREAT campaign). ・Support the implementation and promote utilisation by companies of the UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and reduce market access barriers. ・Work closely with Sector Teams across Japan Network and Department for Business and Trade Headquarters in the UK. Support Consul General Osaka on Growth activities: ・Support the Consul General Osaka and BCG team on delivery of all growth-focused activity in the West of Japan. ・Support the Consul General and Deputy Consul General, deputising where needed, on engagements, events, briefing and other demands. Core planning, operational and business functions: ・Carry out business planning and strategy development, considering changes in the West of Japan market. ・Oversee operational, people plan and business functions across the DBT West Japan team (finance, events, visits, recruitment, L&D). ・Report updates of DBT West Japan activity and results to Embassy governance structures. Team leadership & Corporate: ・Line manage or countersign two individuals and build a positive team culture for DBT West Japan. ・Support delivery of 1HMG priorities in Osaka (VVIP visits, King’s Birthday Party) and crisis response. Resources managed (staff and expenditure): ・Line management of 2 staff ・Will oversee DBT budget for West Japan Working Hours Normal working hours: 9:00-17:30 (core time: 10:00-16:00) Job Requirements Essential qualifications, skills and experience ・Experience working with or for the Japanese private sector ・Experience engaging senior Japanese business leaders ・Familiarity with the likely focus sectors and capability to quickly develop expertise in all ・Strong communication skills – clear oral and written communication with internal and external stakeholders ・Strong drive, determination and good organisational skills to deliver at pace ・Flexibility to quickly and successfully pivot to new and urgent priorities Language Requirement: This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. Fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*) in one language and business level (minimum of B2) in the other. Desirable qualifications, skills and experience ・Experience working with investment promotion agencies ・In depth sector knowledge of likely focus sectors Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture English Level Business Conversation Level (TOEIC 735-860) Japanese Level Fluent(JLPT Level 1 or N1) Salary JPY - Japanese Yen JPY 12000K - JPY 13000K Other Salary Description Basic salary (862,900 yen per month) Commuting allowance (up to 35,000 yen per month) Social insurance (employment insurance, workers' compensation insurance, health insurance, welfare pension insurance) [Notes] Monthly basic salary *1/14 of annual basic salary *Additional payment months are June and December (calculated pro rata according to length of employment) *Salary may be reduced due to tax status Holidays 2 days off per week (Saturday and Sunday) 12 public holidays (mixture of the UK and Japan holidays) Annual leave (25 days per year) Paid sick leave Marriage or Civil partnership leave Compassionate leave Job Contract Period full-time employee Nearest Station Approximately 6 minutes on foot from Shinsaibashi Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Osaka Metro Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.