View Vacancy - Chief Communication Officer

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media

Launched in 2011, the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign (GREAT) is the UK government’s flagship international marketing programme. It aims to drive growth and enhance the reputation of the UK, by fostering positive perceptions and encouraging the world to visit, trade, invest, study, live and work in the UK. See the latest brand film here: https://vimeo.com/559020422

Working to the Great Programme Lead for North America, the Chief Communication Officer – GREAT will support a new, higher level of ambition for GREAT activity in North America. Following the approach set out in the US Strategic Communication plan, the role will support and deliver ambitious campaigns across the US working closely with senior leaders, our Consular Network across the US and our sector leading central communications team. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 UK 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.

The UK government 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 working from home and flexible hours, where possible.

As the GREAT Chief Communications Officer, you will support the Head of GREAT, North America, in being the champion and key point of contact for GREAT across the US. You will:

  • Oversee Great Challenge Fund (GCF) bids, projects and champion evaluation: help UK government teams and other partner organisations develop GCF-funded activities; ensure integration with other GREAT activity across the US.
  • Act as brand guardian; champion the brand and encourage consistent use of GREAT (by UK Government staff and partners), including working with GREAT HQ in London on training resources.
  • Proactive project management of GREAT activity, including planning, delivery, budget and timelines, ensuring continuous open communication. 
  • Champion reporting and evaluation for GREAT in the US; regularly share best practice with the central GCF and GREAT HQ teams and other Regional Hubs internationally.
  • Create a strong connection between central GREAT teams in London and UK government teams across the US.
  • Act as a deputy to the HEAD of GREAT North America, stepping up to cover when necessary.
  • Any other duties as assigned.

 Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • Oversee and administer budget related to GREAT activity in the US
  • Role requires oversight of specialist marketing, research and polling agencies   
  • Experience of supporting integrated marketing strategies for multi-channel paid and no cost campaigns.
  •  Experience in developing campaign content and messaging for a variety of channels.
  •  Experience of working environments with large numbers of stakeholders.
  •  An understanding of best practice for campaign evaluation.
  •  Excellent networking skills with colleagues within your organisation.
  •  Excellent interpersonal skills and experience in building trust with external partners
  • Excellent written and verbal communication in English

Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office.  Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa.  All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.

Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
3 April 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40 hours
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Los Angeles
British Consulate
1
USD
$76,500
22 May 2023
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 (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

This role is 40 hours a week but does not require set working hours each day. Able to accommodate a varied working pattern. The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week.  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. 

Some contact with colleagues in different time zones across the US and in the UK will be required.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

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.

The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.