London & Partners is London’s investment, trade and promotional agency. We create jobs for Londoners by convincing people around the world to choose London to visit, study, work, invest and do business. We are a not-for-profit company combining commercial rigour with a strong public mission. We tell London’s story brilliantly to an international audience and we do this in partnership with organisations and people who have a stake in London’s international promotion. It is our privilege to promote London around the world, working in partnership with the Greater London Authority (GLA), DIT, FCO, VisitBritain and other destination marketing organisations, the London boroughs and key stakeholders, as well as our 1,000-plus private sector partners. Our target audiences are visitors, event organisers, overseas businesses, inward investors, and potential higher education students. Our marketing and promotional activities are designed to encourage investment and spend in London now, as well as building London’s reputation to support its long-term success. Our mission is to tell London’s story brilliantly. We are a not-for-profit public private partnership, funded by the Mayor of London and our network of commercial partners.
Purpose of role
London is the number one location in Europe for foreign direct investment (FDI) from North America. The Vice President Business Development, Chicago will represent London & Partners for primarily Midwest USA.
As Vice President, Business Development in one of London & Partner’s most important and complex markets, this role will be responsible for –
Developing a key account program and approach to the regional market. The Vice President will uncover and pursue short, medium and long-term FDI opportunities in London & Partners priority sectors while developing a solid network of multipliers and supporters for our mission in this regard. The VP will engage with all levels of clients from SMEs to key accounts but with a particular focus on important emerging growth companies (potential key accounts) and mid to large corporates with an interest and potential for global expansion.
Engaging mid-level and senior representatives of our partner organisation, DIT (Department for International Trade), to ensure a close and good working partnership in marketing to and engaging target segments.
Managing the work of the Business Development Associate tasked with generating new project leads for companies for which London is an option to scale internationally.
Working and collaborating with the North America team in market, Director of FDI in London, the Director of Trade & Growth, sector teams – and the Marketing team to help plan and manage marketing initiatives and programs, analyze target markets and advise on communicating with the North American market.
The role may require you to deliver or support high impact programmes for London’s high growth SMEs to access business opportunities in overseas markets including trade missions and bespoke mentoring programmes
Key tasks
- To oversee all of L&P’s work in the region and manage the Chicago office
- Develop annual sales strategy and Key Account program in North America for the region
- Manage Chicago Business Development Associate against plan to ensure annual sales and referral targets are met or exceeded
- Manage and maintain a specific budget and sales pipeline to ensure FDI forecasting is as reliable as possible
- Develop strategic planning for North America and territory coordinated with London FDI Marketing and Communications, Head of North America and Director Trade & Investment
- Establish and maintain a network of key executive relationships in territory in high GVA sectors to develop critical marketing intelligence to inform Head of North America, Strategy Team and the Executive
- Establish and maintain good and active relationship with senior DIT managers and executives in North America to ensure collaboration on key marketing initiatives, industry intelligence and training programs, sector campaigns and pipeline management
- Support London companies appropriately, on all aspects of International Trade by making valuable introductions and supporting Trade Missions.
- Work collaboratively and proactively with our commercial partners in the region.
Key Measurements
- Performance against primary, secondary targets in the L&P business plan across key sectors
- Delivery against business objectives and the key activity plan
- Work closely with other VPs in North America to deliver the overall goals for the market
Person specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate:-
Knowledge and Experience
- Significant experience in mid to senior management roles in one or more of L&P’s key sectors. Ideally in roles that involve business development, consulting, and significant client facing experience in these roles. Experience could be as senior consultant to these sectors.
- Strategic thinker with a well-rounded understanding of strategic and business planning, global capital markets, and business operations of emerging growth and large corporate clients
- Experience in developing and delivering client presentations – ideally experienced in public speaking
- Comfortable with engaging C-suite and other senior management in Fortune 100 and high profile emerging growth companies. Gravitas and confidence in representing London and London & Partners with this audience is critical
- Relevant experience in organising and hosting trade delegations and an understanding of key international trade development issues and SME life cycle and relevance to business growth would be desirable
- Understanding of the political and policy environment affecting campanies in the UK and an understanding of the key economic drivers that influence the propensity to export would be desirable
- Proactive and independent thinker, driver of solutions and strategy in developing and implementing key account campaigns and programs
- Creative – able to succeed in environment of constrained central support and limited marketing spend
- Passion for London – strong preference for candidates that have lived and worked in London
Personal style and behaviour
- Creative: thinks creatively in order to devise new solutions in response to business challenges; identifies new opportunities; generates new ideas for clients; anticipates investor needs.
- Collaborative: works as a proactive team member, sharing information and expertise; encourages and supports other team members; provides direction for teams; responds positively to others contributions.
- Diplomatic: politically aware, credible and confident when dealing with senior representatives of major companies and other multiplier organisations (Trade Associations, Professional Service Firms), effective when dealing at board level, dealing with the British Consulate.
- Persuasive: influences and persuades to obtain buy in to new ideas and resolve conflicts; uses tact and diplomacy when communicating difficult messages.
- Adaptive: willing and able to get involved with any aspect of the business, responsive to changing demands and short notice requirements. Though not a start-up, London & Partners is a lean organization that requires staff to work creatively within budget and within constraints
- Analytical: analyzes data in order to identify critical issues and offer potential solutions; establishes client’s needs requirements and identifies critical success factors; exercises discriminating judgement when dealing with relatively new or unusual problems. Customizes and interprets comparative data for clients and adds value in its presentation; edits and presents complex data clearly and simply.
Part of the functions performed within this job description are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to giving people the same opportunities for employment, pay, and promotion, without discrimination against anyone. These are standard job terms; however various flexible working options will be considered should they meet the needs for the business. Examples could include job share, part time, flexible shifts and home working. Let us know how we can best support you to achieve the right work/life balance.
If you need to receive this information and/or apply in an alternative format, please contact London & Partners by emailing hr@londonandpartners.com or call 020 7234 5800 to discuss how we can help.
We encourage applications from all sections of the community.
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