Our Setting:
The DBT Germany team is made up of approximately 40 staff, based in the Embassy in Berlin and Consulates-General in Düsseldorf and Munich. It is the largest team in the DBT Europe Region (around 300 staff in 34 countries in total) and works closely with colleagues in London and across the UK to improve market access for business and boost exports and investment. In Germany, DBT is made up of sector-focussed teams, with cross-cutting support from a core office, the Strategic Communications Team and the Trade Policy and Market Access team. DBT Germany’s work is crucial to supporting the UK economy: Germany is the UK’s second largest trading partner, with bilateral trade accounting for more than £132bn in 2022 – 8% of total UK trade. The UK and Germany are long-standing partners with shared interests in free and fair trade, WTO and rulebook reform and supporting multilateralism.
Commercial context:
Our partnership with Germany on hydrogen is a major priority for DBT Germany, following on from a September 2023 partnership agreement signed between the British and German Governments. This role is a chance for the successful candidate to shape the future of this partnership – a genuinely unique opportunity to be at the heart of one of the biggest transformations in industry for decades.
Why should you apply?
As Head of Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage you will lead the work of DBT Germany in promoting hydrogen trade and investment. You will also partner with Germany on supporting the transition in traditional industrial sectors to greener operating models. You will need to work effectively as part of both the clean growth team and the wider DBT and UK in Germany teams. You will have strong leadership skills and be able to progress work under your own steam.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Your core responsibilities will be split between your policy work and leadership of your team.
Policy:
- You will lead development of trade and investment opportunities between the UK and Germany on hydrogen and technologies supporting decarbonisation.
- You will have oversight for all exports and trade work in the wider clean growth team.
- You will own and manage the senior stakeholder relationships in your area.
- You will deliver investment from Germany into UK hydrogen and decarbonisation opportunities.
- You will deliver export opportunities for British firms into the German market across hydrogen and decarbonisation.
When required, you will support wider priorities across DBT Germany, particularly – but not limited to – on clean growth.
Leadership:
- As a senior member of the DBT Germany team, you will provide visible leadership across the network, helping set and implement strategic direction.
- You will have line management in the hydrogen and decarbonisation team, supporting their personal and professional development.
- Alongside the Head of Clean Growth team, you will set wider direction on DBT’s approach to clean growth policy in Germany supporting the networks’ senior leadership team in their absence.
- You will deliver a visible corporate contribution, supporting the wider work of the UK in Germany.
- You will also be responsible for supporting the Consul General who has oversight of your sector, and for contributing to the effective leadership and smooth running of the Consulate.
Our ideal candidate shows:
- Excellent oral and written English and German (to at least level C1 CEFR);
- Leadership experience and a proven track record of delivery;
- Considerable experience of leading a team delivering against multiple priorities;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work with a diverse DBT team and to represent government appropriately with external business and other stakeholders;
- A university degree and/or proven commercial/economic and/or policy experience;
- Commercial acumen and delivery focus;
- Able to engage confidently with senior stakeholders;
- Resourcefulness and strong research skills with the ability to act on your own initiative to find creative solutions to problems;
- Interest in the German and UK trading relationship and experience of working in a business or policy environment;
Commitment to diversity and inclusion and staff development.
For further details on this vacancy and information on how to apply, please follow the link.