SRR - Deputy Head of Export Support Service (HEO)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

The British Embassy Riyadh has a vacancy for Deputy Head of Export Support Service – International Markets, Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP), job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), on a fixed term contract of one (1) year (renewable).

DBT is the UK Government’s department for economic growth. We promote British trade and investment across the world, support UK business overseas, and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. DBT divides the world into nine (9) regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). The Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) region is led from Dubai and represents 11 markets.

This role is part of DBT’s Export Support Service International Markets (ESS IM), a free government service that supports UK Small-Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to export across the world, with market-specific insight and guidance, provided by DBT teams based around the world.

This is a hybrid leadership and delivery role, with approximately half of the time dedicated to direct SME support and the other half focused on team leadership, strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

As MEaP’s universal entry point for UK SMEs, the ESS IM Hub helps businesses explore trading opportunities across the region. Economic growth is the UK government's top priority, and ESS IM is central to its commitment to helping UK businesses export and sell to the world.

About the role

UK companies and products - from Food & Drink to Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Financial Services - are highly regarded across MEaP for their quality and innovation. With DBT’s support, thousands of UK SMEs explore new markets and opportunities every year. The IM ESS MEaP team serves as the region’s universal entry point for UK businesses, helping them access and win business in MEaP markets.

Deputy Head responsibilities

We are looking for a motivated and ambitious leader to be based at the British Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this role, the successful candidate will line manage two (2) International Markets Advisors based in Riyadh and contribute to the strategic development of the IM ESS MEaP team. Alongside leadership responsibilities, the Deputy Head will dedicate approximately 50% of their time to providing direct support to UK SMEs, including market research, stakeholder outreach, and tailored export guidance. The role also involves close collaboration with the Head of IM ESS MEaP (based in Dubai) and the wider team across the UAE and Jordan. Some travel across the region may be required in line with business needs.

• Lead and manage the IM ESS team in Saudi Arabia and support the Head of IM ESS in MEaP and wider team of advisors across the region. This includes supporting the development of team strategy and optimisation of our operations.
• Provide direct support to UK SMEs, including market research, stakeholder outreach, and tailored export advice. This will account for approximately 50% of the role, particularly during periods of high enquiry volume.
• Provide line management, coaching and overall support to two (2) International Market Advisors (IMAs). This includes regular 1-2-1 meetings, performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, and helping employees meet or exceed their targets and development goals.
• Build and manage effective working relationships with senior leaders in DBT Saudi Arabia, colleagues across DBT (MEaP and UK colleagues including International Trade Advisers and Sector teams) and external partners and stakeholders, to ensure alignment on strategy and objectives.
• Working with relevant DBT colleagues, establish and manage strategic stakeholder relations with Saudi Arabia’s Giga and Mega Projects and the development of a referral system in service of the support for UK business. This may include cross-collaboration with colleagues across DBT to support the organisation of Supply Chain Forums and other events in service of UK SMEs.
• Lead on pro‑active outreach and engagement with local stakeholders and businesses in the Kingdom to explore potential for collaboration and promotion of UK SME export opportunities. Lead on the development of an effective database of stakeholders, retailers and distributors to help facilitate UK SME success.
• Collaborate with Sector leads across DBT priority sectors to develop an effective approach to supply chain integration, facilitating successful UK SME market entry.
• Develop and maintain a directory of off‑the‑shelf market guidance for Saudi Arabia, including general information on incorporation, certification and regulations, to support IM ESS MEaP in providing meaningful advice to UK SMEs.
• Collaborate with DBT colleagues and Saudi regulators to monitor opportunities and challenges faced by UK SMEs.
• Lead on engagement with UK stakeholders such as The UK Export Academy, trade associations, and International Trade Advisors to build awareness of KSA IM ESS services for high export potential companies based in the UK.
• Support and feed into the development of regular online webinars, quarterly newsletters, and other means to promote the IM ESS MEaP service to internal stakeholders and an audience of High Potential exporters in the UK.
• Manage strategic relationships with Saudi private and public sector entities to support UK SME market entry. Develop partnerships with professional services firms for company registration, customs clearance, banking, marketing and business development services. Evaluate new applications from Saudi companies for DBT’s Overseas Referral Network (ORN) and Export Support Directory (ESD) of private sector partners.
• Conduct market research and draft reports in service of UK SME support. Analyse market trends and enquiry information to regularly inform the Head of Trade and Head of IM ESS MEaP of any significant business opportunities, and to help inform business and workforce planning exercises.
• Act as an advocate for IM ESS MEaP externally and internally and embed the team into MEaP way of working.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Required behaviours

Eligibility

The British Embassy provides visa sponsorship. The British Embassy will be able to employ you on the condition that we are able to obtain the required residence and work permit in Saudi.

If you already have the right to work and reside in Saudi (iqama), you will be required to transfer your visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

Working hours and remuneration

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role.

Monthly salary details

No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

This position is for a fixed term contract for one (1) year. The British Embassy Riyadh employs Country Based Staff in line with Saudi Labour Law. Local law specifies that contracts must be issued for a fixed period (one year). Contracts for full time positions are renewable at the end of the term.

This position is full–time, based on 35 hours per week. Normal working hours for the Embassy are from 08 : 00 to 15 : 00 from Sunday to Thursday, with core working hours from 10 : 00-15 : 00. Core working hours is the period of the day that employees are required to be at work. The working day outside of the core hours is a flexible period, which allows employees to choose when they work, subject to operational needs.

Given the nature of the role, the jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out of hours (evening and weekend), especially during events, visits, business receptions, and other networking activities. Flexible working arrangements will be considered based on operational requirements upon agreement with the Line Manager and in line with the Embassy’s policies.

The position will cover the Saudi network and wider MEaP region. This is an exciting regional role offering learning and development opportunities through HMG online learning platforms and the FCDO Diplomatic Academy.

The successful candidate will be subject to a 90‑day probationary period.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their iqama under the Embassy's sponsorship.

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