Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and creative person to join the Communications team as Chief Communications Officer – External Engagement. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront of international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

This role is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate with key US-based policy organisations, education institutions, and non-profit organizations. This role will be responsible for implementing a strategic communications strategy for stakeholder engagement with US-based think tanks, educational organisations, sponsors and relevant non-profits. The role willdvise Embassy leadership and senior officials within the UK government on engagement priorities. You will gain hands-on exposure to international relations in action and high-profile senior officials from both the British government and the U.S. Government. The job holder will frequently work directly with senior UK and US officials to source and deliver stakeholder engagement opportunities to promote British interests in America. This position will also work hand in glove with the the Embassy’s values-based soft power activity.
 

The successful candidate will work within a busy, motivated and experienced communications team, reporting to a Head of Strategic Communications & Public Diplomacy, and will lead on the delivery of small and large public engagement activity, external media activity and communications’ campaigns centred on key issues or important moments in the calendar. This role also leads on the delivery of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship programme in the US which runs to an academic calendar and poses many opportunities for educational and high profile stakeholder engagement. Typical tasks involve delivering creative and innovative communications plans and engagements, maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders, making new contacts, responding to briefs, briefings, working with defence staff as well as soft power colleagues and supporting the Embassy’s wider public engagement and relationships with US stakeholders.

The Embassy is looking for an energetic self-starter who brings together: strong personal impact with external stakeholders as well as colleagues; excellent project management and organisational skills; and creativity and a flair for innovative communications engaging a broad range of audiences through in-person events as well as traditional and digital media. 

This role is perfect for individuals with some professional experience in foreign policy, events, communications, media, campaigns, and/or think tank engagement, who are eager to take on new challenges and grow their careers.

The British Embassy in Washington is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  

Roles and responsibilities:

• Coordinate the Embassy’s engagement and relationship building with the think tank and academic communities in DC and across the US, overseeing the implementation and evolution of the Embassy’s think tank strategy to raise awareness on UK foreign policy priorities.
• Advise Embassy leadership and UK senior officials on engagement with think tanks and academic centres, play a leading role on think tank engagements with visiting UK officials, and collaborate with Embassy policy units to create bespoke engagement strategies linked to UK policy priorities in their portfolio.
• Serve as the Marshall Scholarship lead.
• Serve as the point of contact at the Embassy with key officials and scholars within think tanks and academic centres in the DC area, leveraging those relationships strategically to deliver collaborative communications and engagement campaigns and projects.
• Lead on the delivery of values-based public diplomacy events and activities, proactively identifying opportunities to highlight UK-US historical and defence ties to our target audiences, while positioning the UK as a thought leader on issues ranging from equality and science & innovation to climate.
• Support the Head of Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy on wider strategic planning, including developing new outreach initiatives, events and digital campaigns to engage US audiences and amplify British soft power.
• Support the Embassy’s Digital Team in developing and executing creative ideas for buzz-generating digital content for the Embassy’s social media channels that can amplify British soft power and push UK messaging around key moments to online audiences.
• Work with the Communications Team’s News section to identify key media opportunities for senior UK officials on foreign policy topics linked to think tank engagements and ministerial visits.
• Develop and maintain a strong set of core scripts (facts, figures, etc) and audience insight about the perception of UK foreign policy priorities with the US, UK/US relationship and American views and preferences that can serve as a resource and inform the UK’s activity across the US and current and future UK foreign policy priorities.
• Work with others in the Embassy’s communications team (including the News and Digital sections), and other government departments, to help get better traction for UK messaging with broad range of US audiences, including press work, crisis communications, managing ministerial visits, event staffing, as well as closely following US media and reporting on US politics.

*These tasks are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organizational needs.

Essential on arrival:

• Previous professional experience in public diplomacy, think tank engagement, communications, media, campaigns, and/or event planning.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with senior government leaders, journalists and members of the public.
• Demonstrated success and experience working in or with Washington DC’s think tank community, broader US academic centres and non-profits focused on issues aligned with UK foreign policy priorities
• Proven ability to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline in a fast-paced work environment.
• Attention to detail and ability to edit and proofread.