Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Technology. Boston

British Consulate-General Boston; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

British Consulate-General Boston seeks a Senior Trade and Investment Officer for the Technology sector to build relationships with senior US tech executives in Boston and New England. You will act as an account manager to identify and cultivate UK investment opportunities and support market entry strategies for UK firms.

You will drive cross-border collaboration, deliver trade targets, and contribute to VIP visits and trade missions as part of the North America Technology team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in economic development or business growth roles.
• Knowledge of key tech sectors (AI, Quantum, Semiconductors, Cybersecurity, Photonics) in the Boston area.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and networking abilities.
• Proven negotiation and collaboration skills to deliver results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; highly organized.
• Ability to multitask and travel up to 20% as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide account management for US tech prospects to grow UK investments.
• Build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects with high value.
• Assist UK SMEs with US market entry strategies and growth.
• Deliver against annual trade and investment targets.
• Develop relationships with US/UK business leaders and stakeholders.
• Plan and execute targeted marketing programs and events.
• Stay informed on North American and UK market trends and advise clients.
• Coordinate with internal/external stakeholders on VIP visits and roundtables.
• Represent BIST and the British Consulate at external events.

Skills

Economic development experience

Industry knowledge AI/Quantum/Semicon/

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation & collaboration

Verbal and written communication

Organizational skills

Willingness to travel (up to 20%)

Microsoft Office proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Be part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s (BIST) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a mature, high spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, and the second highest investment destination in the world. The UK tech ecosystem is valued at £1 trillion and ranks #1 in Europe for ecosystem size, venture capital investment and startup activity. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the heart of the US-UK technology corridor.

We employ over 130 people across North America, all dedicated to increasing economic growth to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected. We seek talented team members with the passion and drive to help us in our mission to build a global appetite for British goods and services; drive investment; negotiate trade deals and open markets; and promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains (see www.gov.uk/DBT).

Based at the British Consulate-General in Boston, the Senior Trade and Investment Officer (STIO) for Technology sector will be responsible for developing positive relationships with senior executives from companies in the Technology sector, across the greater Boston area and New England region. You will play a key role as an account manager to these firms, some of which are the most important investors in the UK within the sector. This involves frequent engagement with key decision makers and proactive work to identify and cultivate potential new investment opportunities for US companies in your portfolio.

The role of the Senior Trade and Investment Officer is to increase cross-border economic cooperation, attract foreign direct investment into the UK economy, and support British businesses with US market entry. You will be part of the North America Technology team as well as a valued contributor to the Boston based BIST team, working closely with colleagues from around the US and UK.

Roles and responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive account management service to key US prospects in the Technology sector (including AI, Quantum, Semiconductors and other looking to maintain or grow their footprint in the UK).
• Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven projects in the greater Boston area and New England Region , that have the potential to bring high-value jobs and investment to the UK.
• Assist high-growth and innovative UK SMEs, the UK’s leading technology companies, as well as established British businesses to develop US market entry strategies and / or grow US market share; and support established British companies in-market to address any concerns around US trade policy or market access barriers.
• Deliver against an ambitious set of annual trade and investment targets.
• Forge positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, from start-ups through F500, as well as trade associations, local development agencies, regional technology providers and other key buyers/partners within the technology industry.
• Develop and implement high-impact, targeted marketing programs and events in conjunction with stakeholder partners to build our brand awareness, promote key messaging, and showcase UK competitiveness in the technology industries.
• Keep pace with market trends in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting round tables, trade missions and matchmaking events, seminars and supporting VIP visit programs.
• Support cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
• Represent BIST and the British Consulate at external functions, including occasional speaking engagements.
• Assist in a consular crisis, if required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Resources managed

• This role will operate as part of a wider North America sector team and but will not have direct reports.
• Manage events and travel budgets.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Demonstrated professional experience in an economic development or business role, ideally in a related sector.
• Thorough knowledge of one or more key industries or technologies: AI Applications; AI Infrastructure; Quantum; Semiconductors; Cybersecurity; and Photonics in the Boston area – and preferably in the UK.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills.
• Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to negotiate and deliver results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling.
• An excellent network of industry contacts in the technology sector and/or start-up ecosystem in the US, or the ability to develop such a network.
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft applications.
• Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy is preferred.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture

Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position Full-time, Permanent, 40hrs per week

Salary $87,920 USD annual

Expected Start Date 14 December 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

Core Hours/Hybrid Working

While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.

Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs.

All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager. The successful candidate should be willing to represent BIST and the British Consulate at external functions (both during working hours and evenings).

Learning and Development

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 (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional - before accepting a job.

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 22 October 2026