View Vacancy – COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (US OFFICE)

Main purpose of job:

• Promoting economic, political, social and tourism links in partnership with the Scottish Government Directorates, Scottish Development International and VisitScotland;
  

• Promoting modern Scotland’s international profile with leading policy makers and opinion formers; and ensuring that the Scottish Government’s policies are known and understood;

• Monitoring policy developments in the region, ensuring that Scottish Ministers have the latest information on which to identify opportunities for co-operation; and

• Working in partnership with key individuals, organisations and agencies to deliver specific projects, programmes and events.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

This job is highly operational and focusses on two key strands of work, Communications and Event management.

Communications

Communications is the primary focus of this role, supporting the office to inform, engage and interact with stakeholders, interest groups and individuals. You will have responsibility for overseeing, developing and maintaining the office’s communication strategy by:

• Researching and publishing daily content for the @ScotGovAmericas Twitter feed and Linked In accounts – working with Scottish based communications teams to develop market specific messaging.

• Identifying opportunities to promote Scotland and Scottish interests on social media focussing on high profile, targeted messaging that will grow awareness of the SAO and wider Scottish Government’s narrative.
  
• Monitoring and evaluating the output and identifying strategies to secure a greater interest in what Scotland is doing both domestically and in the US.

• Reviewing and managing the content of in-house publications including newsletters and websites and wider stakeholder comms;

• Amplify our external stakeholders messaging when appropriate to do so .

• Working with Congressional liaison lead to ensure regular communication between the Scottish Government Office O and Congressional contacts, ensuring that our key stakeholders have our most update to date information relevant to their interests.

• Acting as the main liaison point between the Scottish Government Office and traditional print and broadcast media, particularly in the DC metro area.

• Working with international marketing and public relations colleagues in Edinburgh to ensure delivery of key elements of the International Engagement Strategy.

Events

This office hosts a number of high level events over the course of the year. We also partner and sponsor a significant number of stakeholder events across the whole of the US. The post holder will:

• Support the planning and management of all aspects of events/visits, including those involving Scottish Ministers and other dignitaries;
• Support the negotiations with contractors on the design, format and cost of events and make recommendations;
• Provide practical support during events to ensure the quality and standard expected is delivered and pursue any follow up action.
• Represent the Scottish Government in a range of situations, including public events.
• Ensure that messaging from all events is captured and actively publicised to our networks.

• Education to the degree level in relevant field.
• Strong evidence of experience in a related professional environment, particularly a proven track record of delivering large set-piece functions and public-facing events.
• Office/business management experience, including excellent financial management skills, strong organisational abilities, including prioritizing workloads.
• Excellent team-working, interpersonal and networking skills, including experience working with senior level officials and commercial suppliers.
• Highly developed writing, editing, presentation and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility to accommodate some travel and other time related requirements linked to events.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and use of social media.
• Working knowledge of how Congress and associated Congressional committees work.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.