Trade Commissioner – Germany
Trade Commissioner – Germany
Berlin, Germany
International – Europe Middle East & Africa / Fixed term, Full Time / Hybrid
This diplomatic role is based in Berlin
This incredible leadership opportunity offers the chance to lead our Business Development teams in Berlin, Istanbul, and Milan. It’s the perfect role to fuel your passion for growing New Zealand companies, leverage your deep commercial expertise, and drive new opportunities for our customers and our people.
Who we are:
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) works with some of New Zealand's most innovative and forward-thinking companies, helping them grow internationally. Our people are based in 37 offices, working across 24 time zones and 40 languages to support New Zealand businesses in over 100 countries.
Based at the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin, this role provides strategic leadership to support New Zealand companies looking to establish and expand in Europe. With a particular focus on Germany, Türkiye, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark, the role involves guiding businesses through market entry, growth strategies, and key partnerships to drive success in these markets. Regular travel is required to build relationships, support businesses on the ground, and stay informed about local market dynamics and opportunities.
What you’ll be doing:
With exciting new opportunities under the NZ-EU FTA, you’ll help New Zealand companies grow in Europe’s dynamic and rapidly evolving economies. As the leader of an experienced team of go-to-market experts, you will drive the business development function, providing insights, and expertise to empower New Zealand exporters to succeed.
With a strong focus on remote leadership, you will foster collaboration, support team members across multiple locations, and ensure a cohesive, high-performing approach to market expansion.
You will also work closely with a team of Customer Managers based in New Zealand and, as one of our International leaders, help drive collaboration and connection across the organisation.
You will have a positive mindset, enjoy problem-solving and navigating uncertainty, be dedicated and motivated by delivering ambitious outcomes for yourself and your team.
Playing a key role in implementing NZTE’s strategic priorities in these markets and across the wider Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, you will contribute to the organisation’s broader success.
As a dynamic networker and relationship builder, you will thrive in this European hub, representing New Zealand at key business events and ensuring the successful delivery of multiple projects. You will work closely with colleagues across NZTE, and our NZ Inc partners, including Tourism NZ and MFAT.
What you’ll need to be successful:
We are looking for a highly commercial leader who is passionate about growing New Zealand businesses. Leadership is key, you will understand how to inspire and motivate others, confidently channeling this to your team and bringing out the best in them. You will have strong people leadership skills and be well versed in leading talented, diverse teams across a variety of offices, cultures, and flexible working arrangements.
In previous roles you will have been responsible for business development, marketing, sales, or strategy. You will have an understanding and interest to learn more about the fast-paced commercial environment of Europe. We are looking for someone who is agile, can think out of the square, able to deal with complexity, continue to drive winning strategies for NZ companies and deliver exceptional results.
You will be experienced in driving strategic conversations with companies right up to board level, providing them with insights to ensure customer understanding of the local complexities. You will have strong relationship and influencing skills and be a confident and credible communicator. You will have excellent presentation skills, and the ability to listen and understand the needs of different audiences. Building strong partnerships and using your influencing skills leveraging key strategic relationships to open new opportunities will excite you. Ideally you will have strong networks to rely on within these markets, however your commercial “know how” and “never giving up” mindset will put you in great steed for success.
Why you’ll love working here:
You will love this role if you are passionate about New Zealand and looking to diversify your career by building your knowledge of other sectors and industries and gaining exposure to the public sector. In this role you will be representing your country and working alongside a highly committed team who want to make a difference to New Zealand.
What’s next:
For more information, please read the position description Trade_Commissioner_-_PD and if this sounds like your next career move, apply online with a CV and cover letter clearly outlining your suitability for the role. Applications close 11:59pm 23 March (NZST).
Before applying, please review the notes below regarding eligibility for this role:
· Our successful candidate must be a New Zealand Citizen;
· German language speaker preferred, however 3 months language training will be provided to the successful candidate
· This is an international posting with a minimum duration of three years. The preferred candidate will be subject to a number of vetting processes, including New Zealand national security clearance that you must be eligible for.
· Please use this self-check tool below to find out if you might be eligible to apply for a national security clearance: Eligibility self-check tool | Protective Security Requirements
Please note: The results are a guide only. If eligible, the official vetting process will still need to be completed. If you're not eligible, the factors that may contribute to this result will be provided.
We believe New Zealand is good for the World. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is an equal opportunity employer. At NZTE it is all about our people and we seek diversity of though; we welcome and encourage you to apply regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity or disability. If we need to make specific accommodations in any part of the interview process, please note this in your application or discuss with the recruiter.