International Trade Director

About The State University of New York :

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY's 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the state's only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2022, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit www.suny.edu.

Job Description:

The International Trade Specialist's principal responsibilities are to organize and manage statewide SBDC international business and trade services to New York companies with respect to foreign trade, business development and cooperation. The Specialist works with SBDC clients, business advisers, and Center Directors, advising them, providing information, making linkages with trade officials in the U.S. and foreign countries, and on occasion, interpreting face-to-face discussions between SBDC clients and global business representatives.

Additional duties and responsibilities include:

• Initiate new network links for business cooperation and coordinate the signing of agreements between the NYS/SBDC and the central ministries, provincial and municipal agencies, and industrial development organizations for the purpose of enhancing foreign trade and business development and facilitating business cooperation between small- and medium-sized businesses on both sides.
• Expand the focus of the International Business Program markets in conjunction with the U.S. government's effort for free trade agreements with other countries; contacted the SBDCs and other trade agencies for market research and business cooperation.
• Develop new business relationships and open new markets for New York businesses.
• Promote NYS/SBDC services throughout NYS and establish regular communication about trade issues throughout the SBDC network by exchanging promotional materials and business information.
• Prepare regular updates for the International Business Program brochure and the Web pages for the International Business Program at the NYS/SBDC Web site to provide detailed information about the program SBDC clients and SBDC business advisers. Also updating internal communication on intranet and international trade committee, assisting with professional development and training for trade advisors.
• Provide counseling and assistance to SBDC clients including information regarding foreign trade and overseas business development. Assist them with business plan preparation. Help clients get reference materials and free samples. Provide written and oral translation services. Provide continuing assistance to those businesses in need of the SBDC's follow-up support, and educational seminars with trade organizations. etc.
• Conduct market research, culture, norms and evaluate clients' products and services for markets. Provide clients with overseas business and trade information, locate and evaluate overseas marketplace for clients' product/service, and identify opportunities for export, distributors, partners, and coordinators, recommend cooperative projects to SBDC clients, and coordinate trade shows.
• In conjunction with SBDC Regional Centers, organize and coordinate seminars and meetings for doing business overseas. Conduct presentations focusing on trade information, opportunities, important issues, challenges, regulations, trade financing, business practice, etc., involved in international business and trade.
• Organize and lead delegations for meetings about business and trade cooperation. Assist with entry-visa and other government clearances and coordinate travel arrangements, business meetings, discussions and negotiations for the entire trip. Assist clients in exploring business opportunities in foreign markets. Provided required follow-up assistance to firms upon return to the U.S.
• Prepare invitation documents, design programs, and hold receptions and meetings for visiting delegations. Accompany visiting delegations in visits to New York businesses, SBDC Regional Centers, international trade centers, and government agencies. Facilitate the exchange of ideas and assist the establishment of relationships between the two sides for business promotion and cooperation.
• Work with agriculture trade needs, partnerships with USDA, etc Formulate recommendations, policies, or plans to aid in market interpretation or solution of economic problems, such as recommending changes in methods of agricultural financing, domestic, and international monetary policies, or policies that regulate investment and transfer of capital.
• Assist in the coordinating, managing, and monitoring of regional agricultural trade integration activities.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in a related field
• Minimum of three years of related experience
• Professional experience with international business or internal studies
• Excellent communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in educational administration, public policy studies, business administration, international studies, or similar field of study
• Fluency in a second language

Additional Information:

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent Benefit Package which includes; NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, tuition assistance and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are invited to apply online. Please submit a cover letter, resume and three professional references when applying. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

State University of New York System Administration is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.