View Vacancy - Accommodation Manager - Washington DC

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Main purpose of job:

The British Defence Staff in the United States (BDSUS) has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the United States Support Group (USSG) as the Accommodation Support Manager in the Accommodation Support Team located in the British Embassy in Washington DC. The successful candidate will lead a team of 5 Accommodation Support Officers, managing and delivering housing options for members of the British Forces and their civilian counterparts across the US. This rewarding role, which further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US. 

The USSG delivers support across the USA network for British Defence Staff civilian and Service personnel (ca 900+ people posted across the USA).  We are looking for a highly motivated individual who has a real passion for service delivery and an ability to communicate compassionately and clearly with clients. While experience with corporate or residential housing management is beneficial, this role will suit someone with excellent client relationship skills and strong communication and accounting experience.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave and insurance packages.  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, where possible.  In this role, you will be required to work closely with a diverse team, and the ability to be present for staff and client meetings is essential to the role, albeit some hybrid working is possible.   

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 based on disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. 

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the delivery of all Embassy and MOD permanent and temporary residential housing requirements in the United States.
  • Responsible for the development and implementation (with the DIO) of maintenance plans for the approximately 14 MOD owned properties in the Washington, D.C. Metro area.
  • Contribute to the management and develop the Accommodation Team with a results focused, strong customer service ethos.
  • Ensure accommodation services are delivered in line with UK Ministry of Defence and BDSUS Accommodation Policy.  
  • Work in conjunction with the embassy finance and commercial team to maximize value for money as well as keep accurate financial/contractual records.
  • Work with vendors to ensure all products ordered are in line with accommodation standards across the country.
  • Lead residential lease negotiation and assurance for BDSUS aiming to drive enhanced VFM.
  • Lead support to personnel with policy, leasing and market advice for self-sourced accommodation. Oversight of an approximate budget of $25M for rents, temporary accommodation, and maintenance.
  • Lead the development and delivery of on-the-job training of Accommodation Support team members.
  • Deputise for the Head of Accommodation Support Team and support the wider Accommodation Team or cross-Embassy outputs as required.   

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

  • Administration Officer (AO) level associates in an Accommodation Support Officer function, plus other temporary staff that may occasionally be recruited to support peak activity.
  • Relationships with third party vendors (furniture/housing/temporary accommodation)
  • Oversight of $20M pan-US rents expenditure and approximately $5M temp accommodation.
  • Direct management of approximately $3M directed sourced leases and maintenance budget.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to be professional, confident, courteous, and deal with interlocutors at senior level.
  • Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Teams, Word, Outlook)
  • Positive attitude
  • Ability to multitask
  • Strong communication/negotiating skills with sound financial competency/ ability to make business decisions
  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multi-task and strong problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent customer service skills, with proven ability to take responsibility. 

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent spoken and written.

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 Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.


  • Knowledge of local Real Estate/Housing market
  • Demonstrable experience of working in a complex organisation with multiple lines of accountability
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together, Developing Self and Others
4 June 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$58,500
17 July 2023

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.

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.).  On taking up post you must complete Data Protection and Caldecott principle training which is mandated for this post. You will receive in house training on defence computer systems as required.

This role is 40hrs a week, there is some flexibility within core hours. 

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working; as an organization we recognise the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.  

 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.