Deputy Director, Technology

Main purpose of job

Be part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) 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 (see www.gov.uk/DBT).

Based at the British Consulate in San Francisco, the Deputy Director for Technology, will collaborate with the Sector Director, and wider colleagues, to implement the DBT 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 West Coast region.

You will also work closely with partners across the Consulate 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 San Francisco, building collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring that DBT 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.
• Successfully build and manage a pipeline of knowledge-driven investment opportunities and projects in key industry verticals.
• Provide a comprehensive account management service to a diversified portfolio of key investors, fostering positive relationships and coordinating closely with UK-based colleagues at DBT headquarters in London, the US Science and Technology Network, and Policy colleagues in the Consulate.
• 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.
• Serve as a senior member of the Consulate linking the national trade and investment technology strategy into the Consulate’s cross-sectoral regional trade policy work, including leveraging the Tech Prosperity Deal to drive commercial outcomes and addressing barriers to both trade and investment flows.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Resources managed

• Manage events and travel budgets

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• 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

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy preferred
• Knowledge of the technology sector, major companies and trends in the UK

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

11 August 2026

Grade

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Location (City)

San Francisco

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Salary

$117,190 yearly

Start Date

21 September 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.

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.

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. Please note: the successful candidate will be expected to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of their time

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.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 11 August 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 months the 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.