View Vacancy – Head of Political, Press and Public Affairs (Maternity Cover) – British Consulate General Atlanta
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
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Communications, Press and Media, Political
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Main purpose of job
The British Government’s Consulate in Atlanta is offering an exciting temporary opportunity to join the team as the Head of Political, Press and Public Affairs. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US – contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.
The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, and access to world-class learning and development resources.
We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.
In this role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices—comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.
As Head of Political, Press and Public Affairs at the Consulate, you will contribute to strengthening UK-US collaboration across our political priorities, public diplomacy initiatives, and media and communications outreach. Positioned at the heart of the consulate, you report directly to senior leadership and will work closely with internal stakeholders such as colleagues in other Consulates and the Embassy in Washington DC and external partners including political leaders, civil society and media in all six states the Consulate covers. This role supports the UK’s broader strategic objectives in the Southeastern US (covering AL, GA, MS, NC, SC and TN) and offers valuable experience in international engagement and cross-government collaboration.
We’re looking for a proactive, motivated and highly effective professional with experience in political analysis and media relations alongside project delivery and/or event planning. You’ll bring strong communication and organisation skills and a commitment to high-quality and high-impact delivery.
Roles and responsibilities
- Political and Economic analysis (30%): You will closely follow political and economic developments across the Southeast and provide high quality analysis on these to our Embassy in Washington and headquarters in London.
- Strategic Relationship Management (10%): You will nurture a strong network of senior political, economic and media contacts across the Southeast and identify opportunities for political, economic and cultural collaboration between the UK and US.
- Communications (20%): You will manage and deliver targeted communication through traditional and social media and engagement campaigns across the Southeast. Develop events, digital content, contributions to speech material, and op-ed pieces as needed. Develop an effective network of media partners. You will oversee and guide the work of a communications officer.
- Visits and High-Level Meetings (15%): You will lead on managing visits of Government Ministers and officials through programme planning, briefing and advance logistical support. Through collaboration with Consulate and network colleagues, ensure that programmes advance whole of consulate objectives.
- Public Affairs (25%): You will develop and implement strategies and projects for the promotion of key UK public diplomacy objectives and soft power initiatives in collaboration with all Consulate teams. This will include planning for the Consulate’s activities around the 2026 World Cup and the America 250 commemorations. This will include representing the Consulate-General at external events and speaking engagements.
- The role will include regular travel to the states covered by the Consulate and may include occasional travel to Washington DC.
These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organizational needs.
Resources managed
- Travel and representation budgets
- Project funds
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- Professional experience in public affairs, media and communications, advocacy or policy; preferably including with a governmental/international organisation in a PR company or working in journalism.
- Extensive knowledge of the political and economic make-up and trends in the Southeastern US.
- Strong research, oral and written communication skills (including attention to detail and ability to edit and proofread). including the ability to effectively communicate with senior leaders and ability to deliver high quality speeches, briefings and analyses.
- Fully versed in Microsoft Office and social media applications (e.g. Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
- Ability to complete multiple tasks and a high volume of work on deadline and with limited supervision, delivering also through others.
- Positive and flexible attitude, including willingness to travel and attend events outside of regular working hours – including occasional weekends.
- Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of Application.
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- Established press and media contacts.
- Project management training or experience.
- Demonstrated leadership ability in a managerial capacity.
- Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment.
- Previous experience of living, working or studying in the UK.
- Experience planning and managing visits and events.
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Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture
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27 January 2026
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Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
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Full-time, Temporary, Fixed Term
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40
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5 months
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Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
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United States
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Atlanta
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British Consulate General
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1
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USD
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USD $80,090 per year *salary will be prorated for positions less than 12 months
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yearly
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23 March 2026
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31 July 2026
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You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P).
You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.
All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.
The British Embassy and its US Network embrace hybrid working. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs. All working hours and hybrid working are position-specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the Hiring Manager.
Please note that this role will require occasional travel and out-of-hours work.
Learning and development
The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).
Unique Tax Rules
Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional – before accepting a job.
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The deadline for applications is 23:55 EST on 27 January 2026.
All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
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To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
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