SWA - Scotch Whisky Association

04/28/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2021 10:09

We're hiring: Head of Trade, Asia Pacific and Head of Trade, the Americas

The SWA is recruiting for two specialist positions in its International team, helping to deliver trade outcomes for the Scotch Whisky industry.
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Positions - Head of Trade, Asia Pacific
 - Head of Trade, the Americas

Team: International, reporting to the Deputy Director and Director

Location: Moving towards hybrid flexible working with homeworking and time in either the SWA headquarters in Edinburgh or office in London. Depending on where each of the successful candidates wishes to base themselves the ability to travel regularly to Edinburgh, or to London, will be required.

Salary: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum

Benefits package: 25 days holiday and generous group personal pension plan

The Scotch Whisky Association

Scotch Whisky is a much-loved and prestigious spirit with a global reputation. With a history that stretches back over 500 years, the industry combines a unique heritage with the global reach of an advanced manufacturer as the UK's No.1 food and drink export. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is the trade association that supports the Scotch Whisky industry. The industry's vision is to ensure Scotch Whisky continues to be the world's undisputed premier whisky and consumers' spirit of choice. The SWA's mission is to drive the best possible global business environment for Scotch. The SWA focuses on supporting market growth, advancing global sustainability and driving the Covid-19 recovery as its Strategic Priorities.

The SWA is led by its Chief Executive and is made up of five teams, each led by a Director and Deputy Director. Each team plays its part in working to achieve the Strategic Priorities. The teams are: International; Industry; Strategy and Communications; Legal; and Corporate Services.

The positions

Working within the International team the successful candidates will advise on and deliver the right trade outcomes for the industry within Asia Pacific and the Americas. Both roles involve working closely with the UK and Scottish Governments and governments in our export markets in the two specific regions. They also involve collaborating with international organisations such as the World Trade Organisation and other partners to ensure that Scotch Whisky can be exported efficiently and sold successfully into these markets.

The successful candidates will need to work alongside the SWA's member companies in the UK and in Asia Pacific and the Americas, prioritising and acting on issues such as market access and regulatory barriers to trade.

The applicants

The successful applicants will be interested in foreign trade, with an understanding of how markets in the regions covered operate; can prove that they can build successful relationships and represent the industry effectively. You will be able to find imaginative solutions to complex policy and market access problems on behalf of an organisation or an industry.

The ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate:

  • Political judgement, excellent interpersonal skills, ability to influence, build and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Network of contacts that will support you in building relationships in Westminster and in overseas markets including special advisors and officials.
  • Experience of developing detailed policy proposals on complex issues and execute strategies to advance agreed priorities.
  • Highly effective written and oral communication skills, and ability to articulate SWA priorities with impact.
  • Ability to work constructively as a member of a team and positively challenge colleagues to develop robust policy positions.

Candidates who match the following desirable criteria will be preferred:

  • Some experience of international trade law, economics or government service.
  • For the Head of Trade Americas position, a working level proficiency in Spanish.

Equal Opportunities and Applications

The SWA is an equal opportunity employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy.

Expressions of interest in writing setting out your suitability for this role together with a CV should be submitted by email to [email protected] with 'Head of Trade Asia Pacific/Americas' as the subject by no later than 19th May 2021. Please indicate if you only wish to be considered for one of the positions.

Initial interviews are projected to take place over digital platforms at the end of May and second interviews will be conducted over digital platforms in early June.