The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is an integral part of the UK Government’s networks in Australia and New Zealand. We support the UK Government’s Growth Mission and Industrial Strategy by supporting UK businesses to export, fostering industrial partnerships and encouraging investment in the UK.
This is an exciting time to join the UK Government’s diplomatic network to promote trade and investment partnerships with our close partners Australia and New Zealand. The UK – Australia, UK – New Zealand Free Trade Agreements and the AUKUS security partnership offer unprecedented opportunities to strengthen economic ties between our countries. DBT brings together policy, trade promotion and investment expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment and help businesses succeed across the world. You will join a high performing team of 40 trade and investment experts, working across seven diplomatic missions in Australia and New Zealand.
You will also be an integral part of DBT’s wider APAC region of over 200 people in 22 locations and the UK Government’s Australia Network of over 130 people. You will have the opportunity to collaborate across our networks on a range of trade and investment campaigns, soft power initiatives, trade missions and VIP visits. You will work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds whose professional experience is the foundation of our shared capability. We deliver as one team.
DBT and the Australia and New Zealand networks are inclusive and equal-opportunity employers. We are committed to building a supportive workplace that offers continuous learning and development opportunities for all our team. We embrace flexible and remote working and have a zero-tolerance policy towards bulling, harassment and discrimination.
The Head of Operations sits at the heart of the ANZ network. We are seeking an exceptional individual who is professional, engaging and enterprising to lead our operations. Your team performs an essential secretariat function for the senior leadership team and effective presentation of data by your team is fundamental to our success. Reporting to the Country Director for Australia, the Head of Operations is responsible for monitoring and evaluation of trade and investment delivery, finance, skills and people. Because your work across teams to facilitate everything we do, you play an important role in inspiring and modelling our inclusive working culture.
Monitoring and evaluation
You will lead a small team that partners with the UK in Australia Network, the UK in New Zealand Network and regional DBT APAC Hub to support the Deputy Trade Commissioner and Country Directors make effective data-based decisions on business planning, performance, staffing, learning and development, and governance.
Finance
You will lead on data-based financial and budget management for the DBT ANZ network including governance, forecasts, monitoring and audit compliance.
Operations
You will enable the DBT ANZ network to maximise delivery in a culture that is collaborative, entrepreneurial and driven by value for money principals.
People
You will inspire the DBT ANZ network to present and deliver growth for the UK through an external and commercially focused lens.
Consulate / Network
You will project and support the UK Government’s trade and investment objectives and wider Growth Mission.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure)
This vacancy is advertised as full-time, fixed term role of 12 months.
Salary is at AU$ 128,597 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 12% superannuation
Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.
As part of the pre-employment requirements, the successful candidate must have the right to work in Australia. This includes Australian citizens/permanent residents and partners/ dependants of UK-based staff currently posted in Australia. Kindly send your proof of eligibility to work and reside in Australia to APAC.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. The successful applicant must also be capable of obtaining security clearance for the role, including satisfactory police and criminal record checks.
Comprehensive learning and development opportunities:
The Australia network offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including job-specific training as necessary and broader learning linked to the UK Government’s International Academy.
Our team members enjoy a large degree of delegated responsibility and personal involvement with senior staff and visitors. They have the chance to develop a wide range of important and marketable skills and networks for their professional advancement. We have a strong record of preparing people for promotion within the organisation and for helping people develop skills and profile to secure advancement externally.
We are committed to providing all staff with learning and development (L&D) opportunities and we will work with you to develop your own L&D plan.
Working patterns:
Full time employment (38 hours), with occasional out of hours work for meetings with UK stakeholders, events and travel.
There may be a requirement for domestic and international travel as appropriate. Due to the need to work directly with the UK and to support visits and events, some calls and work will need to take place outside of core office hours. Flexible working arrangements are offered in compensation.
The UK Government network in Australia has a modern and flexible approach to its working culture. The importance of networks, relationship building, learning and collaboration mean that this role is not suitable for exclusive remote working. However, remote working is possible up to, on average, 2 days per week.
The overall package includes the standard 14 days of public holidays that the UK in Australia Network works to, as well as 22 days’ annual leave.
The salary on offer is not negotiable.
Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
Applications must include a current CV and kindly omit any personal information such as Name, Contact Details, Birthday and Gender.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
This opportunity is closed to applications.