View Vacancy - Head of Communications, Press & Public Affairs Team
Main purpose of job:
The British Consulate General New York seeks a proactive, enthusiastic, results-driven Head of Communications with 5-7 years of public relations or communications experience to lead its three-person communications team.
The Head of Communications will lead the Consulate’s communications and press outreach and strategy across the Consulate’s region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut), promoting the UK Government’s economic and prosperity agenda, and the UK’s viability as a top destination for business, arts, and culture.
With a proactive emphasis on communicating the UK’s prosperity and economic objectives and UK public diplomacy in the region, the Head of Communications will also manage wider media relations and communications activity around local deployment of the UK Government’s foreign policy. The Communications team regularly leads and supports media and communications logistics for major events, projects, and visits by UK ministers, dignitaries, and senior officials.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- Implement the Consulate’s media outreach across the Consulate’s region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Fairfield County), promoting the UK Government’s prosperity agenda and viability as a top destination for business, education, and tourism.
- Development and implementation of annual strategic communications plan for the New York region, with oversight of traditional and non-traditional media outreach, and digital diplomacy activity. Ensure communications plans are complementary to the US and North American network broader communications strategy, feeding into the Embassy in Washington’s strategy plans.
- Line management and guidance of the Consulate’s digital communications and deputy head of communications roles.
- Develop and maintain strong industry relationships with consumer and sector-specific consumer media, analysts and other influencers. Understand and follow major business or industry trends across the region on priority business sectors for the UK government, the events driving news cycles and demonstrate the ability to spot and proactively make the most of opportunities. Build and maintain media lists for engagement.
- Support wider media relations activity around UK Government policy as required, and support and perform wider communications tasks.
- Lead on and provide advice regarding media logistics for major events, projects, or visits.
- Effectively coordinate and work collaboratively with other UK Government teams and departments, as needed.
- Liaise with counterparts in Washington and London on projects of mutual interest and collaboration.
- Deliver media placements for the UK Government and officials through pitching and securing media opportunities, and writing (media pitches, press releases, and advisories) and supporting cross-government campaigns.
- Draft, coordinate, and provide briefing to senior staff ahead of brokered media activity, including for the Consul General, Deputy Consul General, and visits by HM Ambassador to the US, senior UK diplomats, ministers and officials.
- Demonstrate strategic skills, confidence, and ability to interact face-to-face and remotely with senior staff and officials, consistently demonstrating understanding of what the UK Government trying to achieve and promote.
- Anticipate and make recommendations on matters relating to your projects and initiatives.
- Develop and execute action plans to support government announcements and initiatives; display good judgement and sound decision-making.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Line management of two B3(L) staffers: the Deputy Head of Communications for New York and the Head of Digital for New York.
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (i.e. English, journalism, communications)
- Approximately 5-7 years of relevant public relations and/or communications experience in a government, agency, and/or in-house setting.
- A track record of securing positive media coverage, with examples of self-generated media placements.
- Possessing relationships media and communications contacts across the tri-state area.
- Excellent command of the English language, with attention to detail and strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. A demonstrated ability to write clearly, accurately, and persuasively.
- Fluency with priority social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook), video and multimedia activity, and photography skills to shape and guide team’s digital media strategy and output.
- Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects from start to finish. Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
- A demonstrated ability to deliver results.
- Reliable, capable under pressure, with a good understanding of the challenges, sensitivities, and discretion required of working in the world of government and diplomacy.
- Self-starter, good decision-making skills, and able to work independently.
- An enthusiastic and creative mindset; must be proactive and flexible, and a team player able to work in a fluid environment.
- Occasional regional travel may be required.
- Demonstrable interest in the UK and international affairs.
- Familiarity with the UK’s system of government and political system.
- Good grasp of general economic policies; general understanding of trade policy, trade and investment promotion.
- Experience executing and/or supporting on the communications components of external events.
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.
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.
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.
Due to COVID-19 we are unable to confirm any start date of employment but will continue to monitor progress and developments, and will advise applicants of any significant changes throughout the recruitment campaign.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
