Senior Trade Policy Advisor

Main Purpose of Job:

The British Government’s Consulate in Los Angeles has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join their team as Senior Trade Policy Advisor. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, leading work at the forefront of the UK’s global diplomatic efforts. The role works to promote the UK’s trade policy interests in the US, to inform UK policy development and works closely with trade promotion and investment colleagues to maximise opportunities for British businesses.

The successful candidate will report to the Consul General in Los Angeles. As a senior member of the team, they will be expected to be flexible and support work across the Consulate as required.

The primary purpose of the role is to develop and implement a strategy that builds support for a strengthened UK-US trade and economic relationship (including via state-level MOUs and a potential future UK-US Free Trade Agreement). The role covers the five states in the US South West (Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii). The successful candidate will be expected to travel regularly, building a comprehensive picture of trade policy issues, identifying opportunities as well as market access barriers and a strategy to overcome, and forming relationships with business leaders, politicians and opinion formers in the region. They will use this knowledge to help shape the UK’s trade policy priorities, identify priority audiences, and develop tailored messaging to build support for increased UK-US trade and investment across the US. The job-holder will be enthusiastic about promoting UK trade policy interests in the United States and passionate about helping the UK to understand the US. The successful candidate will have an interest in trade and agriculture issues. Prior experience of working in these areas, and knowledge of state level government architecture, would be beneficial.

Roles and Responsibilities:

You will play an important role as Senior Trade Policy Advisor in the US South West region – based in the Los Angeles Consulate, but also supporting CA priorities in San Francisco Consulate, working closely with the Regional Director for International Trade, current Trade Policy advisor, wider BCGLA Senior Leadership team, as well as UK Government Office in San Diego. You will be part of a wider trade policy network, reporting into the trade policy team in the British Embassy, Washington DC.

Your responsibilities will include, for example:

• Building an understanding of and expertise in the trade and agriculture policy debate in each of your States, Congressional Districts and cities; providing regular advice and detailed reporting to the Consul General, the Trade Policy team in DC, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America (HMTC – based in New York), Consulate colleagues– including how the UK is seen in the context of the trade/economic debate in your region.
• Identifying key local influencers/stakeholders and developing broad, deep and effective networks of contacts (including local politicians, legislators, business and agriculture policy representatives, think tanks, media and other interest groups). Advising the Consul General, HMTC and Ambassador on senior relationships they should build locally to help drive forward UK trade and agriculture policy priorities (e.g. Governors, Senators, Congressmen, Mayors, senior business leaders etc.) to influence views on trade policy and the UK.
• Leading discussions with State Governments, as relevant, to progress the UK’s state/sub federal trade strategy through, for example, Memorandum of Understanding or Mutual Recognition Agreements, which are aimed at promoting UK and US state level economic growth and trade promotion. This will involve working with the Consulate, Embassy and London teams to agree UK objectives and convening and providing policy leadership. You will bring a local understanding to this work and manage key relationships.
• With the Regional Director, identifying and reporting on established and emerging market access barriers that risk hindering UK business access in the region – and with colleagues, develop and deliver influencing strategies on behalf of the UK government to address/overcome those.
• Working with communications colleagues to refine and deliver messaging that showcases the strength of the UK-US trade and investment relationship and, subject to funding, developing projects that support trade policy and wider economic objectives.
• Strategic reporting and reporting on key policy developments relevant to UK interests in the region – e.g. the impact on the UK of the President’s Inflation Reduction Act and related trade provisions, or supply chains and wider economic security issues
• Working with other Consulate colleagues to design and deliver impactful visit programmes for the Consul General, HMTC, Ambassador, British Ministers and other senior visitors to deliver on UK trade objectives and ensure they understand the regional views on trade and how best to establish the UK as trade and investment partner of choice. Spotting opportunities for UK-state delegations or visits.

Learning and Development Opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).