View Vacancy - Head of Politics, Press & Public Affairs
Main purpose of job
The British Consulate General in Los Angeles is seeking an experienced and innovative Public Affairs professional to lead its Politics, Press & Public Affairs (PPPA) team. Based in Los Angeles, and working directly for the UK Consul General, the Head of Public Affairs works with the media and the public to explain and champion British policies and positions to US audiences through political and media relations, digital outreach, and communications campaigns. The position also leads on the Consulate’s political and economic reporting—providing value-added insight into developments in the Southwest region covered by the Consulate General: Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii.
Roles and responsibilities
- Develop and implement strategies and projects for the promotion of key UK public diplomacy objectives in collaboration with Embassy policy leads, counterparts in London, communications colleagues around the United States, and external partners.
- Planning and coordinating events and official VIP visits throughout Los Angeles’ consular region that support policy objectives.
- Building relationships with key media—print, radio/TV, digital—and managing press interviews and briefings with the Consul General and Embassy colleagues, and acting as the Consulate’s official spokesperson, including during crises.
- Closely following political and economic developments and building relationships with key political and economic stakeholders so as to attain an expert insight on these and other developments in the Consulate’s states.
- Collaborating with other PPPA teams around the US, in particular with the PPPA team at the UK Consulate General in San Francisco that covers Northern California and with which Los Angeles works closely on pan-California events and outreach.
- Providing support in all areas of the post’s work that includes Consular (assistance to British Nationals), UK Department for International Trade (DIT), Visit Britain, the British Film Commission (BFC), and Science & Innovation Network (SIN).
- Overseeing the annual Marshall Scholarship selection process and outreach to Marshall alumni.
- Five years’ experience in public affairs, media and communications, preferably including with a governmental/international organisation, in a PR company, or working in journalism.
- Interest and knowledge of politics and foreign affairs, notably US-UK relations.
- Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, including experience of working with senior level executives.
- Media handling skills including building relationships with journalists, and experience in arranging interviews and press briefings.
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
- Experience in using digital media in professional outreach
*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.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Individuals who are not a US taxpaying citizen will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status.
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, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.