View Vacancy - Trade Policy Communications Manager

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 Embassy is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual for the position of Trade Policy Communications Manager. The UK’s vote to leave the European Union, its development of a sovereign trade policy capability, and ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the US makes this an especially exciting time. The job holder’s primary responsibilities will be to strengthen public perception of the UK-US trade relationship to a US audience, highlighting the strengths and opportunities of this relationship and positioning the UK as a partner of choice for the US through the delivery of a targeted trade outreach campaign.


Based out of the UK’s Consulate in New York, the job holder will play an active role in building support across the US for a UK-US free trade agreement and will work closely with the British Embassy in Washington DC and Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner who is based in New York to support and improve trade communications at a State and local level, building strong links with media outlets and stakeholders and working with the British Embassy’s broader communications network of press and public affairs officers and trade policy advisors.


There will also be opportunities for travel across the US.



Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:


  • Working with the Head of Strategic Communications & Campaigns, and the Head of Communications for North America, devise, implement and proactively deliver a communications strategy to engage a broad range of stakeholders at the State and local level and to promote the UK’s trade priorities to a US audience

  • Tailor messaging to communicate to local and State media and highlight the strengths of the UK-US trade relationship and opportunities ahead, particularly at a state level

  • Build and maintain relationships with key media contacts to promote the work of the UK

  • Use creative and engaging ways to promote the UK-US trade relationship at a local and State level, working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to support your work

  • Monitor media, to identify opportunities to promote the UK trade partnership and to counter negative and incorrect reporting on trade issues

  • Work closely with the network of press and public affairs officers on trade-focused media arrangements for high profile visitors including Ministers and HM Trade Commissioner, identifying opportunities and helping to deliver on media engagements

  • Accompany visiting senior officials and Senior Trade Policy Advisors to trade events and on media engagements where necessary – providing briefing and support

  • Provide support to the Embassy’s network of communications officers to deliver more targeted and effective communications and to gather and create content for use across the social media channels

  • Provide regular reporting of trade activity and engagement and assessment of this activity against campaign 

  • Liaise and consult with the Chief Communications officer based in Washington to coordinate activity

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.


Essential qualifications, skills and experience:   


  • University degree or equivalent qualification

  • 5-7 years relevant experience in communications, public relations or media in a government, agency or in-house setting

  • A proven track record of securing positive media coverage, with examples of self-generated media placements

  • Relationships with media and communications contacts and an in depth understanding of the US media landscape

  • Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating with senior level officials, politicians or executives

  • A proactive, self-starter with strong time management and good decision-making skills

  • Strong command of the English language, with attention to detail and excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills. A demonstrated ability to write clearly, accurately, and persuasively

  • Experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders and broad network of contacts

  • Demonstrable interest in the UK and international affairs.

 

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

*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. 


Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:


  • Interest in and knowledge of trade or economic policy

  • Existing relationships with Midwest media organisations

21 January 2021
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
12 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York
British Embassy
1
USD
78,090
22 March 2021
1 March 2022

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.    


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.