The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) is part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and promotes the Netherlands as a prime location for foreign companies. Together with our partners in the Invest in Holland network, we attract and support companies that contribute to the country’s sustainable earning capacity.

Do you want to help strengthen the innovative power of the Netherlands? Join the NFIA San Francisco team, where you will work with companies from the west coast to support their expansion plans and foster new investments.

We are looking for a self-starter who delivers results by actively seeking cooperation and shares knowledge with our colleagues across the Invest in Holland network.

Job description

As director at the NFIA San Francisco office you will be responsible for identifying and guiding companies that can further strengthen the Dutch economy through establishment or follow-up investments. You'll look for companies that contribute to innovation and sustainable growth in the Netherlands, while also collecting signals on how the Dutch business climate can be further improved.

Guided by NFIA’s sector priorities such as LSH, Energy and ICT, including Cybersecurity, you identify promising opportunities, build relationships with decision-makers, and help companies navigate their expansion plans. You guide, inform and advise these companies in their search for the most suitable location in the Netherlands. In doing this you cooperate with and motivate the project managers in your team.

You will also contribute to the Investor Relations program, monitor sector developments, and represent NFIA at events and visits. You report to the head of office and work directly with the team in San Francisco and the NFIA Americas colleagues based in the USA and Canada. At the same time, you will be working closely with NFIA headquarters, the Invest in Holland network (regional and local governments in the Netherlands focusing on FDI) and local service providers.

Interested? Please check investinholland.com.

What will you be doing?

• Responsible for part of the regional FDI portfolio, manage the corresponding annual workplan and report on progress to head of office and executive director.
• Formulate concrete goals and translate goals into concrete actions.
• Collaborate, take initiative and motivate people with the right arguments.
• Actively look for and visit companies interested in investing in the Netherlands, providing information and introductions about establishing a presence in the Netherlands and guiding them through the process.
• Rigorously maintain project administration in our CRM system and are able to diagnose trends to make data driven decisions.
• Maintaining contacts with the headquarters of companies already established in the Netherlands and building a network of companies, government agencies, and intermediaries at the west coast.
• Track research and developments in priority sectors and competitive clusters to help build the project pipeline.
• Participate in events, webinars, seminars, and roadshows, representing NFIA and supporting visiting delegations from the Netherlands.
• Collaborate with NFIA Americas team, NFIA HQ in The Hague, Dutch regional partners, and embassies and consulates general in the US to ensure smooth coordination.
• Share knowledge and experience and motivate your team
• Travel within the US and occasionally to the Netherlands for company visits and NFIA headquarter events.

Where will you work?

Our NFIA San Francisco office is located at the Consulate-General in San Francisco. You are part of a diverse team of 5 NFIA colleagues serving 13 Western states. Together you inspire each other to bring the most valued companies to the Netherlands. The Consulate-General itself works to strengthen the economic ties between the Netherlands and the West of the United States and supports with consular services, such as passport applications and consular declarations.

Within the One Team concept, you contribute to the larger tasks of the embassies and the consulates, in particular where it involves requests from the departments of Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and RVO in The Hague.

Qualifications

We are looking for an energetic, flexible, proactive colleague who is eager to learn, likes to get things done, and can work in a structured and result-oriented way.

• Working and thinking level: academic working & thinking level with relevant work experience. Economics, business administration or management is an asset.
• You have 3-5 years of relevant commercial international experience in the field of promotion, sales or acquisition. Some management experience is required.
• You have experience working with US companies and bring a relevant network.
• You have general knowledge of the Dutch economy and the Dutch investment climate.
• Fluent in the English and Dutch language, both verbally and in writing. 
• You are diplomatic and can communicate at the highest level, both within government and business.
• You have a strong network within Dutch national, regional and local governments (Invest in Holland network), which focus on investment promotion, as well as with intermediaries/service providers.

Desired competencies: motivational, organizational sensitivity, external awareness, integrity, proactive, results-oriented, collaboration, networking, planning and organizing

What we offer

The consulate general (CG) of the Netherlands in San Francisco has a full-time vacancy (40 hours per week) for a Director. This position will be offered at pay scale 9 for a fixed term of two years, with a probationary period of two months.

Indicative gross monthly salary starting at USD 10,786 per month depending on relevant work experience.

401K Plan is offered. Health/Dental/Vision is provided on a 72%-28% Employer-Employee basis.

There are no financial provisions for a possible move from the Netherlands, but the CG and individual colleagues are willing to help and advise you in finding accommodation and on other administrative matters.

Interested?

Please send your motivation letter and resume (PDF File) no later than February 15th to:

• Marco de Vries, Director & head of office, NFIA San Francisco, devries@nfia.com

For more information about the position, please contact:

• Marco de Vries, Director & head of office, NFIA San Francisco, +1 747 717 0654 or devries@nfia.com
• Jaap Slothouwer, Executive Director Americas, NFIA Washington, +1 202 754 6108 or jaap@nfia.com

The selection procedure consists of an evaluation of the applications to identify the candidates fulfilling the minimum requirements. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

The CG will not supply additional information or discuss the selection procedure by telephone. Please address any queries concerning this procedure by email (jaap@nfia.com). The CG is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

* This vacancy is open to internal (local employees and partners of officials posted to a Mission in the US) and external candidates. If a local employee and a partner of an official posted to a Mission are equally qualified, the local employee shall be given priority. Furthermore, if an internal candidate and an external candidate are equally qualified, the internal candidate shall be given priority.

** As per US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), employers in the US are required to ensure that all employees have the legal right to work in the US.

The Netherlands Embassy / Consulate General cannot sponsor any work permits for families.