West Midlands Growth Company helps create new jobs, build and expand businesses, attract regional investment and encourage tourism. 

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was a golden opportunity not just for the West Midlands, but for the UK. The Commonwealth Games demonstrated that post-EU Exit Britain is open for business, support economic recovery from COVID-19 and to provide a shop window for Britain’s economic engine. 

Building upon the West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC)’s strong track record of delivery as the region’s investment promotion agency, additional funding has been secured to deliver the legacy programme for the Commonwealth Games to continue to attract visitors, investors, and events to the West Midlands.

Working within the International Markets team as part of the wider inward investment function, the Senior South Asia Markets Manager will play a key role in driving the continued success of the West Midlands region. 

The Senior International Markets Manager - South Asia will be responsible for lead generation, stakeholder relationship management and intermediary engagement activity across the South Asia markets, primarily focused on India as a core market. The role holder will maintain and actively develop relationships across a number of different trade organisations and British diplomatic outposts (Post) in India. Through this activity and associated relationship management, the Senior International Markets Manager will help to raise awareness of the West Midlands’ Inward Investment proposition and secure advocacy and support from key partners, to generate a robust pipeline of qualified investment projects for the region.

The role holder will also lead and deliver activities contributing to the regional India Strategy and upcoming West Midlands International Strategy (WMIS).

Following the integration of the West Midlands India Partnership (WMIP) into the WMGC board, this role will also be responsible for managing overarching relationships with key West Midlands-based South Asian stakeholders, leveraging their market presence and supporting the development of their propositions for the South Asian market. 

Main Responsibilities and Key Activities

• Play a key role in the delivery of international intermediary and stakeholder engagement on behalf of the West Midlands Growth Company, including, but not limited to, the overarching relationships with important Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Posts teams; trade and investment agencies acting on behalf of South Asian countries for inward investment; London Embassies and High Commissions; trade and sector bodies (e.g., CII, FICCI, nasscom, UKIBC) in order to raise the regional profile and gather market intelligence. 
• Support the International Markets Lead on the development of an International Strategy for the West Midlands Growth Company, identifying the key inward investment market opportunities: influencing of the key stakeholders to ensure success. 
• Act as the market expert with regards to India and wider South Asia, proactively seeking intelligence on economic and policy changes that may influence WM approach to South Asia market engagement. 
• Work closely with the Growth Company’s Inward Investment sector leads and cross-programme events teams, to scope, plan and deliver a number of effective inward investment activities specific to the South Asia market(s), including (but not limited to) sales missions to India and inward investment delegations to the region. 
• Develop a pipeline of qualified leads and opportunities from the South Asia geography via direct business development, international intermediaries, and wider stakeholder relationships.
• Leverage the international footprint of key partners of the West Midlands Growth Company, including commercial partners and the region’s universities, to drive awareness of the region’s inward investment opportunities.  
• Work closely with regional stakeholders, supporting them on their South Asia market propositions and aligning their offers to the market opportunities identified in South Asia.  
• Work closely with the senior management team at the West Midlands Growth Company to ensure consistent and effective achievement of contract objectives, providing flexible support to ensure the team targets are achieved.
• Undertake planned marketing and lead generation activities both nationally and internationally (trade fairs, exhibitions etc) to showcase the regional offer e.g., India Global Week. 
• Make efficient use of CRM systems and processes to record, monitor, review and refine business development strategies.
• Build influence across the region for WMGC with Midlands Engine, DBT and other relevant national and international organisations and intermediaries to ensure that the West Midlands is perceived as a priority region for inward investment and capital investment opportunities.
• Provide guidance on South Asian market intelligence from a branding, press and wider external affairs perspective. 
   

You can view the full job description including key skills and competency requirements, here

If you are interested in applying for the role, please send your CV to recruitment@wmgrowth.com