Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a creative and ambitious communications team at the heart of the British Consulate-General Shanghai. We are looking for a confident and energetic Communications Officer who will work as part of the Communications Team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the Consulate’s communications activities across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui. 

This role offers the opportunity to be part of an innovative and high-performing team whose past achievements include: hosting a world-record-breaking Queen’s Birthday Party afternoon tea; leading on the UK’s communications efforts for the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, the UK-China High Level People to People Dialogue; leading UK communications for the China International Import Expo; and integrated digital partnerships with the Premier League, BAFTA and Formula 1.

The job holder will be responsible for assisting media and press engagements; supporting event and campaign delivery; drafting articles and social media content including Weibo posts and WeChat articles; and partnering with a range of organisations. A flexible and cooperative team approach and good interpersonal communication skills are essential as you will be working with a variety of stakeholders.

An understanding of the priority that the UK places on its relationship with China will be key to succeeding in the role. The officer will be naturally interested in current affairs and keeping themselves up to date on news that is relevant to the work of the British Embassy and Consulates in China.

The successful candidate will need to have a proven history in delivering projects, along with excellent organisational skills, and will need to have event management, media handling and communications skills. Creativity, initiative, agility and resilience are required to maximise the impact of UK communications across all channels, both traditional and digital. 

The Communications team is a busy and high profile one. We work in an environment where learning and development is encouraged, and all team members support each other during particularly busy periods. Work-life balance and well-being are emphasised across all communication roles, and across network.

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

Delivering communications activities for public diplomacy campaigns and events (30%): 

• Assist the team to deliver impact-driven, innovative communications activity and implementing integrated cross-channel plans (including digital) in the region. This includes visits, campaigns and managing events.
• Author weekly short-term and monthly long-term planning grids that capture all East-China network communications activity.

Media engagement (30%)

• Develop and maintain media contacts, from traditional to digital, to implement editorial opportunities.
• Develop materials for press, such as press notices and briefing packs as well as arranging opportunities for press to engage with UK officials – such as media interviews and press conferences.
• Reactive media handling – monitoring coverage on relevant topics, managing media enquiries.

Digital Communications Support (20%)

• Work with Digital Communications Officer to create content for Weibo and WeChat, including short-form posts, articles and video content. 
• Establish partnership with key digital influencers. Embed digital channels in all media planning and use digital channels for both initiative-taking and reactive communications activities.

Internal Communications (10%):

• Draft and deliver Shanghai’s all-staff monthly newsletter, including collecting materials from relevant teams. 
• Contribute East China’s content to China Network’s internal communications products. 
• Support the consulate to deliver ad-hoc internal communications message. 

Team support (10%): 

• Input data and evaluation of local communications activity and contribute to the China Network reporting products.
• Provide administrative support to the team, including procurement admin, and delivering practical and logistical arrangements. 
• Manage team’s assets, including branded materials and their production. 

• Degree level qualification or equivalent. Qualification in Communications/Marketing desirable. 
• Previous experience of working in a communications, public affairs or journalistic capacity in mainland China. Proven history of working with Chinese media. Contacts highly desirable. 
  Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, able to produce accurate work at pace and quickly absorb large amounts of information.
• Excellent organisation skills, positive approach to teamwork, and a pro-active attitude. 

Language requirements: 

Language: Chinese and English

Level of language required: 
Chinese: Native-level (all) 
English: 
Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient
Written:  Excellent/Highly Proficient