Are you a motivated, highly driven communicator looking to expand your experience of international affairs working in a fast-paced environment?
The British Government’s Embassy in Washington is looking for a dynamic, proactive person to join our high performing Communications Team as a Chief Communications Officer for Stakeholder Engagement. This is a rewarding role at the forefront of the Embassy’s diplomatic efforts to develop the special relationship between the UK and the US, to make a real difference globally. 

Play a critical role:
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 creating and implement strategic communications strategy for stakeholder engagement with US-based think tanks and advise Embassy leadership and senior officials within the UK government on engagement priorities. You will gain hands-on exposure to international relations, diplomacy and high-profile senior officials from both the British government and the U.S. Government. The job holder will frequently work directly with the Ambassador and other senior UK and US officials as you source and deliver stakeholder engagement opportunities to promote British interests in America. This position will also oversee the day-to-day delivery of 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 events, external media activity and communications campaigns centered on key issues or important moments in the calendar. Typical tasks involve delivering creative and innovative communications plans and events engagements relating to your portfolio, including proactive Soft Power activities, as well as supporting the Embassy’s wider public engagement and relationships with US stakeholders.

Be at the heart of international diplomacy:
As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), you will contribute to delivering the UK’s diplomatic work in the United States through our communications approach. In response to global challenges and opportunities for increased international cooperation, the Communications Team is looking to modernise perceptions of the UK, reach new audiences and deliver consistently high-quality communications activity in Washington and across the US. 

Ideal candidate:
The Embassy is looking for an energetic self-starter who brings together: strong personal impact with external stakeholders as well as colleagues across the UK government’s consular network; 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, public diplomacy, communications, media, campaigns, and/or event planning, who are eager to take on new challenges and grow their careers.

The British Embassy offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences. 

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 point of contact at the Embassy with key officials and scholars within think tanks and academic centers 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’ audience 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.

• Previous professional experience in public diplomacy, communications, media, campaigns, and/or events planning.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with senior government leaders, journalists and members of the public.
• Demonstrated success in project and budget management, including shepherding projects and events from conception to completion.
• Demonstrated success and experience working in or with Washington DC’s think tank community, broader US academic centers 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.
• Demonstrated ability to take control and follow through on assigned tasks with limited supervision.
• Must be a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand and have the right to live and work in the USA (see below for further information).

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: fluent