View Vacancy – Chief Communications Officer

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy is seeking a ‘Chief Communications Officer, Public Diplomacy’ to join its communications team in Washington, D.C.  This position would work with a range of key stakeholders to promote British Soft Power through art, culture, sport, education and scholarships, and underline the UK’s relevance to the US as a modern and dynamic partner of choice. The ideal candidate will be an energetic self-starter who brings together: strong personal impact with external stakeholders and colleagues across the UK government’s US network; excellent project management and organisational skills; and creativity and a flair for innovative communications engaging a broad range of audiences.

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

• Under the direction of the Head of Strategic Communications, help develop and implement impactful campaigns, projects and events that leverage and amplify British culture and Soft Power and promote the UK as a modern, creative country as well as critical ally to target audiences in the United States.
• Engage and coordinate closely with other UK bodies in the US, including the British Council, UK universities and UK cultural and sporting institutions to promote British culture and educational opportunities.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with influential US external organisations, including academic institutions, civil society, cultural institutions, sporting bodies etc that can facilitate our engagement with US audiences and multiply UK messages.
• Oversee and administer the UK Network’s efforts on the Marshall Scholars programme, through which the UK funds up to 50 talented US students each year to study for a graduate degree in the UK. This includes developing a strategic approach to outreach that encourages students (in particular from diverse backgrounds) to apply; overseeing the selection process; delivering the three-day orientation in Washington, DC; managing relations with the 2,000+ alumni community and ensuring rigour and value-for-money out of the $3m-a-year Marshalls budget.
• Oversee, coordinate and expand the UK government engagement with alumni of UK universities in the US, organise regular events, receptions, and activities.
• Work with others in the embassy’s communications team, including the Press and Digital Teams, to help get better traction for UK cultural messaging with broad range of US audiences.
• Manage the British Embassy’s work to promote the UK’s long-term reputation in the US, including events at the Embassy and throughout the DC area, coordinating the communications aspects of historical anniversaries and working on the communications opportunities offered by high-profile cultural and sporting events.
• Provide oversight of the UK Government’s GREAT marketing campaign across the US network

Essential on arrival:

· At least 2-3+ years’ experience in public diplomacy, communications, campaigns, youth engagement or events planning.

· A solid understanding of the US education system. Knowledge of the UK university system also a plus.

· An interest in and knowledge of US-UK relations.

· Ability to work with tight deadlines and multi-task short-term and long-term projects.

· Experience in capacity-building and delivering through others, including those in multiple locations.

· Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, including experience working with senior level officials or executives.

· Excellent written and verbal skills.

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.