Main purpose of the role:
The British Embassy in Washington, DC has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and exceedingly organised person to join the British Defence Staff United States as a Private Secretary to Minister (Defence) / Director USA running their Private Office.
This is a chance to directly contribute to the way in which both Governments collaborate and negotiate on BDSUS’ key priorities. The role will focus on policy advice and support for Minister (Defence), enabling them to do their job effectively by working closely with stakeholders. You will be expected to quickly gain an understanding of the priorities of each individual team in BDSUS, including those that are London based and how they contribute to BDSUS and wider defence objectives in order to shape policy on a range of thematic issues. You will have line management responsibility for three Executive Assistants and provide direction to the Residence Manager regarding events and management of the Minister (Defence) residence.
The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator with strong attention to detail and able to work to tight deadlines. A previous history in or running an Executive Office is useful, supporting your knowledge and understanding of security and international policy. This position requires extensive network building, and will involve contact with think tanks, industry, Congress, and US government employees, therefore the ability to create, manage and develop relationships is crucial. Previous policy experience is desirable as the position will require an understanding and overview of each department’s work and priorities to shape team outputs and provide advice and direction on behalf of the Minister (Defence). In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, Armed Forces personnel and other country-based staff and with defence stakeholders in the UK and US defence interagency.
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 401(k) programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses flexible hours where possible.
Roles and responsibilities:
Resources managed:
Essential on arrival
Language requirements:Language: EnglishLevel of language required: Fluent.
All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
Eligibility
This position is only open to UK passport holders who also currently hold US/UK dual nationality, green cards, A visas, or EADs. All selected candidates are subject to background checks, and the post holder will require SC(O) clearance level.
You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.
You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.
Core Hours/Hybrid Working
While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday. This role follows a standard working pattern of Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00 but there is flexibility in relation to start and finish times.
Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs. Please note that this role is primarily office based with only limited opportunities to work from home.
Occasional weekend and evening working may be required as part of this role.
All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager.
Learning and Development
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 (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).
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.
Unique Tax Rules
Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer. Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes. For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional - before accepting a job.
Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 30th April 2026.
All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.
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.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
