Based in the British High Commission in Singapore and reporting to the Head of Territory (HOT) of Asia Pacific, the post-holder will be Invest Northern Ireland’s (Invest NI) sector lead of Advanced Manufacturing Materials & Engineering (AME) in Southeast Asia (SEA).

The primary focus of the position will be business development, to increase Northern Ireland exports in the AME sector by helping Northern Ireland companies with market access and market development in SEA. When carrying out their work, the post-holder will be required to forge effective working relationships with a wide range of businesses: Northern Ireland client companies and customers in SEA, stakeholders, senior officials and government representatives. Whilst AME is Northern Ireland’s most significant business sector in SEA and in Asia Pacific (APAC), the post holder will also be expected to support the wider Invest NI team to meet the collective goals and objectives of INI in SEA and APAC.

Linked to Invest NI’s International Business strategies and the strategies of Invest NI’s sector teams based in Northern Ireland, and working with our international partners and stakeholders, the post-holder will develop and agree an annual operating plan and objectives that support the growth of Northern Ireland exports in AME sector and ultimately economic growth for Northern Ireland.  

As well as one to one support for Northern Ireland businesses, the post-holder will lead and co-ordinate activities such as marketing events and conferences, represent Invest Northern Ireland at business conferences and speak at events and prepare activity reports summarise information for the HOT. A significant part of the role is to undertake research, conduct business development work to identify sales opportunities for Northern Ireland companies and provide market access advice to new market entrants. The post holder will also be required to monitor expenditure and deliver activities within a pre-allocated budget. 

The post holder will work closely with the wider Invest NI teams based in its Belfast headquarters, in Asia Pacific and other locations. The post-holder is also expected to undertake travel on a regular basis, either within SEA, to the UK and other countries.

Roles and responsibilities:

Trade and Business development 

• Develop and implement specific national action plans for the AME sector in SEA to primarily increase the export value from Northern Ireland;
• Proactively identify relevant business opportunities of AME sector for Northern Ireland companies in SEA through market intelligence, connections and research and promote the Northern Ireland capability to key decision makers;
• Work with INI APAC Marcoms Director to develop marketing strategies for AME sector in SEA that aligns with business development activity to promote export and strengthen Northern Ireland’s impact in the SEA region;
• Support Northern Ireland companies interested in SEA by providing information required to make informed business decisions by managing market research and assessment enquiries, conducting visits and arranging business development meetings and writing appropriate reports.  In this regard the post holder will be able to leverage the Invest NI’s appointed Trade Advisory Support providers in SEA in the delivery of support services to NI client companies and in relation to sector relevant market research;
• Identify and articulate specific business opportunities to colleagues in Northern Ireland including International Trade Advisers and trade organisations and work with NI companies to help them respond to these opportunities;
• Identify and attend sector trade exhibitions and conferences, deliver in-market physical events and virtual webinars to arrange and attend client and customer meetings, promote industry excellence from NI and to highlight key market opportunities for NI companies;
• Co-ordinate VIP (including Ministerial delegations) visit programmes to SEA, prepare briefing and manage the necessary logistics and protocols.

Effective Strategic Relationship Management 

• Develop strong C-level relationships with targeted companies, stakeholders and influencers in the region and enable Northern Ireland companies to engage with them;
• Work effectively in partnership with wider teams based in Northern Ireland, Asia Pacific and other locations.
• Build strong relationships in SEA within: the British Embassy network, the UK Department of International Trade (DIT),  the British Council, and other key stakeholders, and business and industry organisations and where appropriate work on joint planning and delivery of events;
• Contribute to Invest NI’s development of a network of Northern Ireland diaspora working in the region and work with Northern Irish Connections to deliver economic returns to Northern Ireland

Database and Budget Management 

• Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s CRM and management systems .
• Manage a pre-allocated budget appropriate to the agreed regional business sector plan.