Deputy Director - Technology
First seen by Alion on Oct 10, 2026.
Job Category
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DBIST (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Job Subcategory
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DBIST (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
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Main purpose of job
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 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 is also the world’s seventh largest exporter and the second largest services exporter.
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 (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-innovation-science-and-trade).
Based at the British Embassy in Washington DC, the Deputy Director for Technology will collaborate with the Sector Director, and wider colleagues, to implement the BIST technology sector plan. Key responsibilities include leading technological initiatives across the US, identifying new opportunities for UK companies, and supporting US firms expanding into the UK. The role involves account management of major tech sector companies, building relationships with business leaders, and managing a team of Senior Trade and Investment Officers and Trade & Investment Officer(s). Additional duties include providing sector leadership across the US, supporting policy and market access analysis, developing sub-sector priorities to maximise commercial managing strategic accounts, deputizing for the Sector Director, and occasional travel beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. You will also work closely with partners across the Embassy and wider US network to deliver on growth objectives, including the Science and Technology Network, and on the commercial aspects of the Tech Prosperity Deal.
Roles and responsibilities
- Together with the Sector Director, shape, promote, and deliver the US Integrated Sector Plan for Technology, in consultation with key stakeholders and wider UK government departments.
- Plan and lead cross-team projects in the execution thereof.
- Represent the region in cross-departmental and cross-UK government working groups.
- Serve as a representative for the technology sector team in Washington, building collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring that BIST interests are registered.
- Keep pace with market trends in technology and be able to communicate UK government strategy effectively.
- Proactively target investors aligned with UK government priorities to increase their operations, investment, and exposure to the UK.
- Build and manage a pipeline of high-value investment and export opportunities in key technology sub-sectors, particularly cybersecurity in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Provide a comprehensive account management service to a diversified portfolio of key investors, fostering positive relationships and coordinating closely with UK-based colleagues at BIST headquarters in London, the US Science and Technology Network, and Policy colleagues in the Embassy.
- Deliver high-impact programming, often at pace and operating in a flexible/agile approach, including developing and hosting roundtables, seminars and trade missions, preparing briefing materials and contributing to Ministerial and other VIP visit programmes.
- Use CRM tools to capture investor engagement and manage investment project progression.
- Support the Sector Director in team leadership, budget forecasting, compliance, and activity reporting.
- Act as a senior member of the Embassy, helping link the UK’s technology trade and investment priorities with wider Embassy work on trade policy, using initiatives such as the Tech Prosperity Deal to support commercial outcomes and address barriers to trade and investment.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Resources managed
- Manage events and travel budgets.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
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- Experienced people leadership (both direct and indirect)
- Demonstrated professional experience/skills in a multinational business, sales, negotiation or project management role, ideally with a major technology company
- Thorough knowledge of the technology sector, major companies and trends in the US
- An excellent network of contacts in the technology sector in US or the ability to develop such a network, with the credibly to interact at a senior level
- Excellent stakeholder management abilities
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills
- Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
- Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
- Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling
- Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time
- Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
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An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy preferred
Knowledge of the technology sector, major companies and trends in the UK
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Required behaviours
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Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
Application deadline: 11 October 2026 /*generated inline style */
Grade: Senior Executive Officer (SEO) /*generated inline style */
Working hours per week: 40 /*generated inline style */
Location (City): Washington /*generated inline style */
Salary Currency: USD /*generated inline style */
Salary: $109,060 /*generated inline style */
Type of Salary: yearly /*generated inline style */
Other benefits and conditions of employment
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All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
Eligibility
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.
Please note this role is ineligible for visa sponsorship.
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 and Line Manager approval.
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.
This role requires travel (up to 20% of the time) and occasional out-of-hours working.
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.
Unique Tax Rules
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.
Additional information
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The deadline for applications is 23:55 (EDT) on 11 October 2026.
All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive; we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 monthsthe same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
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Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.
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