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 sharing knowledge with our colleagues across the Invest in Holland network.

Job description

As Director at the NFIA San Francisco office you are responsible for identifying and guiding companies that strengthen the Dutch economy through establishment or follow-up investments. You will look for companies that contribute to innovation and sustainable growth in the Netherlands, while collecting signals tom further improve the Dutch business climate.

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 in their search for the most suitable location in the Netherlands. You collaborate with and motivate the project managers in your team.

You contribute to the Investor Relations (account management) 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 attracting Foreign Direct Investments) and service providers.

Interested? Please check investinholland.com.

What will you be doing?

• Responsible the FDI portfolio in designated states on the Westcoast of the USA, manage the corresponding annual workplan and report on progress to head of office and executive director.
• Formulate goals and translate these into actions and results.
• Collaborate, take initiative and motivate people with the right arguments.
• Actively identify and visit companies interested in investing in the Netherlands, providing information and introductions regarding establishing a presence in the Netherlands and guiding companies through the process.
• Rigorously maintain project administration in our CRM system and diagnose trends to make data driven decisions.
• Maintaining contacts with the global headquarters of companies already established in the Netherlands and building a network of companies, government agencies, and intermediaries on the west coast.
• Track R&D in priority sectors and competitive clusters to help build the project pipeline.
• Participate in roadshows (company visits), events, and seminars, representing NFIA and supporting visiting delegations from the Netherlands.
• Collaborate with the 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 events.

Where will you work?

Our NFIA San Francisco office is located at the Consulate-General (CG) in San Francisco. You are part of a diverse team of 5 NFIA colleagues serving the 13 Western states. You work together to bring the most valued companies to the Netherlands. The Consulate-General 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, proactive colleague who is focused, eager to learn, and follows a structured approach to achieve results.

• Experience in sales, account management, consultancy, economics, or business administration.
• 3-5 years of international experience in the field of promotion, sales or acquisition.
• General knowledge of the Dutch economy and the Dutch investment climate.
• Ability to communicate diplomatically at the highest business and government level.
• Management experience is a plus (as you will on occasion stand in for the head of office). 
• Experience working with US companies and having a relevant network.
• 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.
• Fluent in the English and Dutch language, both verbally and in writing.
• Academic working & thinking level

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 11,235 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 organization 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 files) no later than May 25th to:
Anne van Besouw, Project Manager, NFIA San Francisco, vanbesouw@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 (vanbesouw@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.

**Candidates resident in the US need a valid working permit –US citizens, green card holders or A visa holders.