Main purpose of job:

The British Consulate General (BCG) in Los Angeles is looking for someone to support the coordination of our work building up to the LA 2028 Olympic and Para.  

The UK already has a strong track record in these areas, and particularly in this region.  We have a significant number of cultural exchanges, from the arts to theatre to education and beyond.  In media, the partnerships that exist across film and television are second to none.  While in sports, the power of UK exports like the Premier League in soccer are matched only by the breadth of our other offerings – particularly on the eve of the FIFA World Cup and the LA 2028 Games.  We are also looking forward to a major ‘GREAT’ Festival in 2026: the UK’s flagship public relations campaign.  

The purpose of this new role is to help bring greater coherence to all of this work; explore new opportunities to build upon it; and to help develop the right policy structures with colleagues in the UK Government, plugging into under-represtented areas, to ensure we remain at the cutting edge of engagement.  BCG Los Angeles already has dedicated teams representing the British Film Commission (BFC), Visit Britain and our Department of Business and Trade (covering jobs and growth in Creative, Media and Sports), and further Olympic and Paralympic resources will emerge as the Games approach.  The UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will be a key customer for this work.  

Hence, the right candidate for this role is going to be someone who can demonstrate the ability to work well in a close-knit and dedicated team: working to integrate their activities with those already in place, and finding synergies between the work.  They will have the initiative to develop new contact networks and new policy goals beyond those we already service; while also having the breadth of vision to identify shared opportunities and areas for collaboration.  They should be able to demonstrate some level of understanding or experience in the relevant sectors, and a willingness to learn the rest.  They will also have the interest and agility to engage in activities that may not always fit exactly within the scope of their role: BCG Los Angeles hosts a range of exciting events and activations, VIP visitors, and supports the wider British community, and we encourage staff to get involved.  

The FCDO US Network 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.  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 flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, and other country-based staff operating in the United States. 

Roles and responsibilities 

(As a new role, these criteria will flex and change as the job develops)

Policy Support and Engagement 60%

• In collaboration with existing teams, work to identify and develop opportunities to support UK-LA engagement in the Culture, Media and Sport arenas;
• Working with colleagues in the US and UK, identify policy engagement areas that can support UK Government ambitions on its Industrial Strategy and jobs and growth narrative;
• Working in partnership with BFC and DBT colleagues, grow our strategic stakeholder network in the relevant areas to deliver on our wider goals, focusing both on immediate opportunities, as well as longer term vision;
• Increase the opportunities for philanthropic connections and support, particularly in how the UK and LA can create mechanisms for mutual support in priority areas;
• Identify new approaches to support Digital Economy work.

Sport and Soft-Power Diplomacy 30%

• Identify and develop opportunities to use major sporting events (e.g. World Cup, LA 2028 Games) to support the UK’s diplomatic goals in LA and beyond, with a particularly focus on enhancing the UK’s legacy and reputation;
• Working with UK Government partners, support the preparations for Team GB and Para GB in their build up to the LA 2028 Games, including commercial and soft-power partnerships;
• Develop new opportunities to extend the UK’s cultural reach in LA, particularly beyond film and television, with a view to widening access for UK cultural engagement, e.g art, music, publishing, fashinon, etc..  

Event and Activation Delivery 10%

• Working with our Events leads, including our ‘GREAT’ team, support the delivery of key activations in the culture, media and sport areas, including identifying new partnership and sponsorship opportunities;
• Lead on developing and supporting relevant senior visitor programmes. 

Resources managed 

• None at present, though programme funding may emerge as the job develops

Essential on arrival: 

• A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in an organisation or field linked to our key priority areas.
• The successful candidate must be organized, creative, personable, and able to work under their own initiative. Additionally, the successful candidate must be a strong team player with excellent problem solving and judgement.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong user of IT and Microsoft Office suite. 

Level of language required: Fluent speaker and clear written English.