Job Description

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Job Title: International Trade Advisor

Salary Band: 45,000 - 50,000 per annum

Job Type: Fixed Term until 31st March 2026 Working Pattern: 37 Hours (Monday - Friday)

Reporting To: Export Support Manager

What we're looking for from you...

We are looking for a dynamic International Trade Advisor who is passionate about helping businesses expand into global markets. You will play a key role in guiding SMEs through export strategies, market entry, and international growth opportunities. The ideal candidate is commercially minded, skilled at building strong relationships, and will be able to provide practical, results-driven advice to businesses looking to scale internationally. Success in this role comes from a deep understanding of international trade, export regulations, and market trends, along with the ability to develop tailored strategies that drive growth. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy problem-solving, and are excited about making a real impact on businesses' global success, we'd love to hear from you!

About us...

Chambers of Commerce are the most effective business lobbying group in the UK, with representation in Westminster, influencing ministers and government policy. At Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce we are the 'Voice of Local Business' and with a strong lobbying voice nationally, regionally and locally. We are led and based around our members, providing high quality business events and networking opportunities in the Coventry & Warwickshire area - making us the Ultimate Business Network.

We have amazing benefits for our members:

Quality contacts Opportunities for business growth Information on national and local issues that may affect your business. Many cost saving services. Support from our team of qualified business advisors.
What you'll get...

At Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber our employees get many benefits!

Both Flexible & Hybrid Working.

Life Assurance of 3x your annual salary.

EAP with SimplyHealth. Holiday Purchase Scheme, buy up to 5 days per year (FTE)!

Increased holiday after 5 years, 5 extra days per year, taking your entitlement from 25 to 30 days!

Cycle to Work Scheme & Electric Car Scheme Salary

Sacrifice Pension with Scottish Widows

So Why us?

Here at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, our staff come first. We're committed to ensuring staff wellbeing, work life balance and creating a supportive culture where our staff can grow and develop both on a professional and personal level. We have an outstanding wellbeing plan for the year ahead, shaped by our staff wellbeing team, focusing on teambuilding both inside and outside of the workplace and across the Chamber Group. Have your say! Our Staff Focus Groups run every 10 weeks, with staff representatives from each team to feedback ideas, concerns or queries to make our workplace better for everyone! Our employees are at the centre of our business, which is why having a good work life balance is so important to us!

Main duties and responsibilities

Provide expert guidance to SMEs on export strategies, market entry, and international trade opportunities to drive global growth. Build strong relationships with businesses, trade bodies, and government agencies to facilitate connections and support international expansion. Offer in-depth knowledge of export regulations, compliance requirements, and market trends to help businesses navigate international trade challenges. Develop tailored export roadmaps, assess business readiness for global markets, and track outcomes to ensure measurable success.
Role and responsibilities:

Find, engage with and recruit eligible and suitable businesses onto the fully funded Export Support programme Use a variety of strategies and methods to create a pipeline and subsequent caseload of businesses Assisting local businesses in initiating/expanding their international activities. Provide expert advice, develop export strategies and facilitate connections with international markets. You will identify opportunities and overcome challenges to provide in-depth support. Identifying and engaging with prospective clients, (in line with target clusters) presenting tailored solutions to meet their export needs. Proactively develop relationships with businesses eligible for support, including SMEs new to exporting, and those already exporting that want to access new markets. Baselining performance and developing activity proposals, creating export plans, market entry strategies, pricing and distribution channels. Developing detailed tailored export strategies, roadmaps for improvement and sustainable growth, for local businesses supporting the business to achieve a set of outcomes, including safeguarding jobs, creating jobs, increasing export orders and improving businesses' productivity and exporting activities Advising on regulatory requirements, trade agreements (and MOUs), and compliance issues. Identifying and facilitating engagement with potential international partners and distributors. Facilitating business matchmaking and networking opportunities. Guiding businesses in negotiating contracts and agreements with international partners. Establishing and nurturing strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, distributors, and industry associations. Work in an agile fashion, able to manage end to end, engagement through to delivering outputs, and amending delivery style and activities dependent on business needs. Ability to develop own advice/ guidance sessions responding to present market conditions and individual business requirements Provide comprehensive and intensive one-to-one support and account management to ensure Businesses expectations are fulfilled. To work to a set of monthly targets, based on numbers of businesses assisted, jobs created as a result of the assistance provided, increased exporting activities as well as referrals, and monthly activity targets. Stay informed about market trends and industry developments to provide clients with relevant insights and recommendations. Prepare detailed reports on market research, export support activities, and programme outcomes. Accurately, and with attention to detail, complete a set of paperwork to capture contractually compliant outputs and outcomes. Work closely with the Chamber's International Trade team, supporting the development of the Chamber's commercial International Trade products and services and thereby having a modest commercial target. Maintain accurate and timely records via the Chamber's CRM system and other systems as directed by the funder. Undertake training, CPD and accreditation processes as required for the post Undertake all work with due regards to the Chamber's quality standards, health & safety and equal opportunities.
Person Specification:

Bachelor's degree in international business or equivalent demonstrable experience. A professional certification in Export Management is desirable but not necessary. 5 years' experience in export trade, international business development or a related field. Proven track record of delivering and leading on successful export development projects. Commercially astute - with a proven ability to quickly understand a new business or industry and the challenges and opportunities it presents. A background in comprehensive relationship management, meeting diverse business needs. Experience and skilled at providing export support to businesses, from Start Up through to existing businesses, understanding the challenges they face. Knowledge of international trade regulations and compliance. Understanding on practical and strategic issues affecting exporting and the ability to support and adviser businesses on these issues. Ability to deploy a range of skills and activities to find and engage with eligible businesses Ability to develop effective export strategies. A thorough understanding of the nature of businesses within Coventry and Warwickshire. Ability to assess business export growth potential and familiarity with associated diagnostic techniques within a specific timeline. Ability to analyse information, formulate conclusions and make recommendations in a timely manner. Ability to deliver formal and informal presentations and adapt style according to the audience. Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Ability to use cloud based software, including databases to log client activity and track outputs. Excellent Communication and Interpersonal skills. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in work. Proactive approach to work. Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, clients and partners. A commitment to equal opportunities. Driving license and use of a car for business purposes. Desirable: Experience of working with or in one or more of the following growth clusters: Aerospace; Manufacture of electric light vehicles; Health-tech/med-tech; Logistics/distribution; Professional/financial services; Creative content production; Manufacture of future housing; Modern/low carbon utilities
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 10 months

Pay: 45,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events Company pension Cycle to work scheme Free parking Health & wellbeing programme Life insurance On-site parking Sick pay Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday No weekends
Education:

Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:

Export Trade/ International Business Development: 5 years (required)
Licence/Certification:

Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Coventry CV1 2TL

Application deadline: 04/04/2025