Consultant, Consulting Services, Immediate Start Date

Who are we?

The continuing mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest (GACC Midwest/AHK USA-Chicago), a 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Chicago with a branch office in Michigan, is to promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the Midwestern region of the United States. Our organization combines elements of a trade commission, a membership association, and a professional consultancy - quite a unique concept in international trade promotion. Read more about our organization at www.gaccmidwest.org

What does this role entail? 

GACC Midwest is seeking a full-time, bilingual (German/English) Consultant, Consulting Services Department with a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant work experience. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Consulting Services, the Consultant will participate in a wide range of Chamber projects and initiatives for the promotion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the US. This role will primarily be responsible for the ‘Market Entry and Business Development’ service for German clients, which includes services such as business partner search, market research, virtual offices, site selection, tradeshow support, and intercultural training with opportunities for specialization. 

In addition, the Consultant will support selected Trade Mission programs, initiatives, and other services of the Consulting Services Department.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Provide consulting services to individual clients (mainly German Companies), which may include advising companies on their US market entry; researching potential market opportunities, sales channels and partners; managing virtual offices; and other services as needed: 

• Research, analyze and report on market conditions, competitors, regulations, and other topics to identify opportunities and potential barriers to market entry across a diverse range of industry sectors.
• Oversee, define, and execute strategies to (further) develop client’s global expansion and increase US-market penetration 
• Handle day-to-day business and inquiries on behalf of clients 
• Gain an ever-increasing understanding of the clients’ products to better serve them 
• Advise clients on activities for expanding their market presence 
• Arrange meetings for the client, including cold outreach to potential partners and customers 
• Help organize and attend trade shows on behalf of clients 
• Act as the ‘face of the client’ in the US and be a general facilitator and troubleshooter for clients’ needs, from administrative to strategic 
• Ensure phone calls and postal mail are appropriately handled and forwarded 
• Track incoming payments from clients’ customers 
• The Consultant should be able to manage assignments across a wide range of industries and technologies (water, automotive, manufacturing & automation, medical devices, software, retail, consumer products, renewable energies, etc.) 
• Support the ongoing activities of GACC Midwest, including participation in GACC Midwest member events, supporting other projects and departments as needed, etc. 
• Build and maintain working relationships with key industry partners, organizations, and clients 
• Continually increase knowledge of issues and developments in key industries 
• Document all relevant communication with partners, clients, and members within GACC Midwest’s CRM system 
• Answer general trade inquiries in English and German 

Who are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant business or technical field required 
• 1 to 3 years of relevant work experience 
• Strong German and English language skills, both written and verbal 
• Excellent communication, customer service and market research skills 
• Superior time management and organizational abilities and experience in successfully managing multiple projects concurrently 
• Excellent attention to detail with ability to manage multiple projects concurrently 
• Familiarity with industries of importance to GACC Midwest preferred, such as water, manufacturing, automotive, renewable energies, as well as an interest in learning about new technologies 
• Limited overnight travel is required, usually 2-4 days/year within the US and possibly 5-7 days/year in Germany, if projects require. In this respect, the ability to drive and access transportation to reach companies and other stakeholders and conduct meetings outside of urban areas is necessary 

Why GACC Midwest?  

At GACC Midwest, we believe that our benefits should make a difference - to you, your job, today and in the future. We are dedicated to supporting our most valuable asset, our employees!

• Team spirit instead of rigid hierarchies
• Competitive vacation policy, starting with 20 days, increasing with seniority up to 30 days
• 14 paid holidays including Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, plus additional days around Thanksgiving and Year End
• Health insurance with multiple plan options and networks (BlueCross / BlueShield HMO, PPO, HSA) & Guardian dental and vision
• 401(k) matching with a competitive, discretionary employer contribution
• Company-paid Life Insurance + AD&D/additional voluntary life + AD&D (also for spouse and children)
• Wellness incentives: access to fitness center and complementary yoga classes
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability
• FSA Health Care and dependent care
• FSA commuter (transit and/or parking)
• Goal oriented bonus plan
• Plus: Work from Home Policy, Flex-Time Policy
• We offer German classes in collaboration with the Goethe Institute
  

We welcome and encourage diversity in our workforce. GACC Midwest is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. Potential employees are subject to background checks.