AUS (Melbourne) - Clean Energy Sector Lead for Asia Pacific, SEO

Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) promotes UK and global prosperity by championing international trade. DBT’s Asia Pacific (APAC) region comprises 300 staff operating across 15 high-growth markets. 

We are recruiting for a Clean Energy Sector Lead for Asia Pacific to provide sector leadership across the whole APAC region covering exports, markets access/market shaping and investment. This is an important leadership role and an exciting opportunity to influence the development of the critical new technology sectors that are delivering economic growth, a shared net zero agenda and energy security right across. Although the role is based in Australia, you will be part of our regional sector hub and expected to work virtually with DBT and FCDO country teams in UK Embassies and Consulates across the Asia-Pacific region.

Across Asia-Pacific, across the clean energy sectors, we are aiming to: 

• Grow UK exports, including by growing UK commercial participation in markets in Asia Pacific 
• Influence and shape regulatory frameworks and policy to enable accelerated market growth and increase UK participation
• Increase investment into the UK green infrastructure to support the UK’s net zero transition.

As the energy transition in APAC progresses, we are seeing growing interest and potential for UK companies across a range of clean energy sectors, including but not limited to, offshore wind, hydrogen, CCUS, electricity networks and oil and gas decommissioning. You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and expertise in these sectors, helping our country teams to draw on UK commercial, policy and regulatory strengths to increase UK involvement in the sector in APAC.

The job holder will report to the Investment Operations and Strategy Director, based in Singapore. 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Summary of key responsibilities: 

1. Develop APAC strategy for the clean energy sector.  You will work with DBT country teams and APAC leadership to develop and implement DBT APAC’s overall strategy for the clean energy sector to maximise commercial opportunities for UK businesses in the region and to support the objectives of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.
2. Support in-country teams to deliver our shared objectives for exports, market access/market shaping and investment are delivered on-the-ground by DBT teams in market, based in our network of Embassies and High Commissions. You will work as an enabler, adviser, and mentor for DBT country teams across the region. Specific activities could include: advising on clean energy projects and programmes, supporting regional events, trade shows, and senior official and political visits to the region – always ensuring that our activities are delivering value for UK companies.
3. Lead an APAC network of experts. Beyond supporting individual teams, you will lead an internal network of clean energy experts to ensure we deliver our regional strategy, share best practice, and foster cross-market collaborations.
4. APAC’s center of clean energy expertise. You will establish yourself as a center of expertise on clean energy. You will proactively share and embed knowledge across regional colleagues to enhance teams’ performance. You will also lead regional research and analysis on clean energy market trends, policy developments and commercial opportunities to provide strategic advice to APAC leadership.
5. Develop and leverage a strong UK clean energy network. You will lead on engagement with UK Government teams and companies in the UK. You will develop a strong UK commercial and policymaking network and share this with colleagues across the region to proactively support the development of a pipeline of trade opportunities and resolve market access barriers.   You will ensure that DBT clean energy teams across APAC work in a joined-up way with other UK Government colleagues in market and in the region, including with political, climate policy, and comms colleagues.
6. Shape regulatory frameworks. You will work with country teams to help them shape future markets for UK industry in APAC. This will involve working with UK industry, government departments, and regulators so they can advise teams on the most effective ways to design and implement campaigns to influence and support the development of regulatory frameworks in APAC markets, so as to best position UK companies to participate, and best accelerate the rollout of clean energy in the region.  

In addition, you may need to support specific DBT or wider UK Government priorities in Australia, which could include high-profile visits, events, and crisis response.

To deliver these responsibilities effectively, we are looking for someone with the following capabilities or behaviours: 

• You will have strong leadership skills so you can develop and articulate a clear vision for the UK’s clean energy agenda in APAC.
• You will be able to engage confidently across multiple UK missions and Government departments to influence and drive activities in line with the APAC’s clean energy strategy.
• You will be able to proactively build trusted and impactful relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders across government, within industry and across different countries.
• You will be a confident communicator capable of representing the UK government in external discussions with industry and governments as well as exercising judgement and discretion with commercial in confidence data.
• You will have a strong commercial acumen and be able to use data and analysis to quickly understand which opportunities offer value to UK companies.
• You will be an effective team member, with a strong sense of collaboration and a proven ability to work with and bring diverse groups together. 
• You will hold good understanding of key clean energy technologies such as hydrogen, offshore wind, CCUS and electricity networks – building an understanding of market potential in APAC, and developing familiarity with the UK industry characteristics, strengths and comparative advantage.
• You will hold (or be capable of developing) strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders in the region and in the UK – in order to build deep insights into market opportunities, UK supply chain strengths, and areas for government and commercial collaboration.

Please note that the role holder’s job specification may be subject to change in line with evolving business priorities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

You will line manage an HEO. You will provide clear direction and support to the staff member to help them deliver on their objectives; while ensuring they develop professionally and enjoy their role.