Head of Trade (Commercial Campaigns)

Head of Trade (Commercial Campaigns)

Contract type/Duration: 12 month fixed term contract

Working hours Full time

Band: 4.1

Salary: £71,075 to £79,386

Reports to: Director of International and Trade

Location: London  (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable)

Closing date: 10am on the 3rd of June 2026


The Role


International trade plays a critical role in driving UK economic growth by boosting exports, increasing productivity and driving much needed investment into the UK’s cities and regions. Connected Places Catapult’s engagement with international markets focuses on accessing, opening and expanding trade opportunities for UK businesses.

Through a suite of replicable and scalable programmes we: 

Reporting to the director for international and trade, the postholder will have two main priorities:

You will bring the full weight of your extensive international trade experience to lead the development and implementation of new export campaigns and international opportunities that unlock business growth for the UK's world-leading innovators and scale-ups in transport, construction and data infrastructure, as well as directing foreign direct investment towards the UK's industrial strategy zones.

Use your exceptional interpersonal relationship skills, cultural competence from working internationally and deep commercial acumen to build relationships that unlock new funding streams for export accelerators, commercial consultancy and bilateral/multilateral programmes. You will help funders, customers and collaborators reach into Connected Places Catapult's breadth of experience delivering international innovation accelerator programmes, testbeds and living labs, and capacity building across transport, infrastructure and the built environment, and their underpinning data infrastructure.

Within Connected Places Catapult, the small but impact-driven International and Trade Directorate is the home of expertise in exports, foreign direct investment and international partnerships. This is a leadership and expert role, and the job holder might be asked to oversee and support the work of colleagues across the business, from delivering masterclasses to providing advisory on cross-cutting business projects and programmes.

This exciting and impact-oriented role will be based in London and will suit anyone looking for a fixed-term role or wanting to apply their international trade skills to a new context. This role involves international travel, attending some evening events with or on rotation with other members of the team, and engagement with stakeholders in different time zones.