View Vacancy - Head of UK Government Office - San Diego

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)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s consulate in Los Angeles has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, exceptional person to run a one-person UK Government Office in San Diego, California. 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 in order to make a real difference globally.

The 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 working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats 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.

The successful candidate will be the UK Government’s local representative in San Diego, California. S/he will support the UK’s commercial, economic and political relationships in San Diego County and will develop business slinks and scientific research collaboration – working closely with the British Consulate in Los Angeles and wider UK Government colleagues across the US Network, in particular from the Department for International Trade (DIT), the Science and Innovation Network (SIN), and Politics Press and Public Affairs (PPPA).

At present, confirmed funding for the position runs to end-March 2023, but we envisage this role to be multi-year.

The ideal candidate will be a clear and effective communicator able to rapidly shift focus according to UK government priorities. They will be a successful networker, able to establish and develop partnerships on behalf of the UK Government to be utilised for a variety of purposes and scenarios. They will have strong organisational skills to efficiently support inward visits to the region from senior UK political and government leaders.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Develop and maintain high-level influential networks across San Diego including business, research and political leaders as well as communications/media, to strengthen UK/San Diego ties and promote UK Government priorities – working closely with the British Consulate in Los Angeles.
  • Work with the Department for International Trade team in Los Angeles to boost UK trade into San Diego County, and investment into the UK. Monitor local business developments and refer clients to Department for International Trade specialists; develop high quality trade and investment opportunities.  Industry sectors for particular focus include:  Life Sciences/Healthcare; Technology; and Advanced Engineering/Aerospace/Marine.
  • Assist the UK Trade & Investment team in Los Angeles to manage local relationships with large current UK investors and employers.
  • Engage with local governments on issues of importance to the UK, particularly on political economy, energy policy and climate change, trade and business development and science and innovation.
  • Report on political and economic developments in San Diego to key personnel in Los Angeles and to the wider US Network.
  • Represent the UK at external functions, including public speaking engagements
  • Facilitate and manage visits by senior UK Government representatives to San Diego.

Essential on arrival:

  • A solid understanding of the political, public policy and trade/economic environment in San Diego County.
  • Excellent people skills deployable to build effective and extensive networks.
  • Clear, confident and influential communication style, able to flex and deploy in various public settings on various policy areas and industry sectors.
  • Robust organisational skills to set up and manage visit programmes at short notice.
  • Good IT skills with firm grasp of MS Office software.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English

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.  

Desirable:

  • Experience and knowledge of UK Government foreign and domestic policy priorities.
  • A large existing network of local government officials, business leaders and civic leaders in San Diego.
  • Experience driving exports and securing inward investment.
  • Experience working within a diplomatic network.
  • Experience working with/in the Life Sciences/Healthcare; Technology; and Advanced Engineering/Aerospace/Marine sectors.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
26 June 2022
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
San Diego
British Consulate General
1
USD
$99,722
15 August 2022
31 March 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. Occasional out of hours work will be required, particularly when supporting UK Government visits to San Diego and when navigating different time zones across the US and in the UK.

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 organisation that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

Occasional travel will be required.

List in Additional Information for all positions 30+ hours/week and permanent or fixed terms greater than 89 days: The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. 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.