View Vacancy - Head of Press, Politics and Public Affairs

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

Main Purpose of Job:

The British Government’s Consulate in Boston, covering the six New England states, has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, creative and flexible person to join as Head of the Press, Politics and Public Affairs team. 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 in the UK’s relationship with its principal ally.

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 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.

This is a chance to join a high-performing team at a high-profile mission, supporting the Consul General in building senior political relationships with Mayors, Governors and elected leaders across New England, media links to major broadcasters and networks, and leading on inward visits to New England by senior members of the British Government and other VIPs.  The successful candidate will be a key member of the Consulate’s senior leadership team and be involved in all of its work, supporting its various teams in everything from tackling climate change and promoting renewable energy to working with universities and major sports teams and building deeper trade and investment links between the UK and New England.

The ideal candidate will be a clear and effective communicator, have strong political antennae, be a great team player and be creative and innovative.  A background in New England politics and/or communications is essential.

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Work with the Consul General and Deputy Consul General to ensure that the Consulate’s press, politics and public affairs work is planned, coordinated and delivered in line with key objectives.
  • Direct the Consulate’s communications strategy, using traditional media and social media.  Working through the PPPA Officer, help develop the Consulate’s strategy for digital media and design and implement effective and imaginative platforms to communicate the UK’s strengths.
  • Act as senior media spokesperson for the UK in Boston.  The successful applicant will need to demonstrate ability to speak credibly on the record for the UK Government in the US, and to brief journalists on background and maintain relationships with them.
  • Develop strong links with contacts who need senior attention, sometimes in support of the CG’s and DCG’s own contact-making, this includes state and local administrations, political and economic experts, and senior leaders at universities across New England.  Identify prominent thought-leaders in the field of international affairs and defence and build relationships with them.
  • Lead on political and economic reporting, drawing on non-public information where possible, and adding value through personal contacts and relationships. 
  • Identify and implement creative ways to raise the positive profile of the UK in New England, including with future leaders.
  • Ensure that the Consulate delivers a first-class service on inward VIP visits, including the Ambassador, senior British Ministers and other VIPs.
  • Participate in crisis training and exercises and be part of the Consulate-wide team response in the event of a crisis.
  • Lead and manage the PPPA team in Boston.

Resources Managed:

You will manage the Press, Politics and Public Affairs Officer and have a small discretionary budget to run events and visits.  You will also have a travel budget for official travel around New England and occasionally further afield.

  • Substantial prior experience in the public sector, academic administration, communications or an advocacy role;
  • Substantial experience of the political and economic make-up of the New England states and trends in the region; 
  • Familiarity with the media, including print, television and digital; experience in acting as a media spokesperson and designing and delivering proactive publicity activities to advance policy or other objectives;
  • Some knowledge of the UK Government’s work and objectives in the United States, and the priorities of the UK Government;
  • Reliable, capable under pressure, an excellent communicator orally and in writing, and with a good understanding of the challenges and sensitivities of working in the world of government and diplomacy.
  • Strong ability to work across teams and with all colleagues, and skilled interaction with external contacts of all levels.
  • Strong research skills and familiarity with key regional information sources including the ability to identify and access a range of online resources.
  • Reliable, capable under pressure, able to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline with colleagues and with considerable autonomy.

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
2 April 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Boston
British Consulate
1
USD
$76,500
15 May 2023

Learning and Development Opportunities:

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.).

Working Patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week and in general requires predictable working hours each day. However, there is scope for flexibility, as it does require attendance at evening events (once or twice a month) and weekends (two to three times per year).

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 team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

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.

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.