View Vacancy - SH - Digital Communications Officer (East China), A2 (L)

The role of Digital Officer (East China region) is an important and demanding one.  With digital integral to diplomacy, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading on developing and implementing integrated digital strategies and plans. Developing the UK’s engagement with China across digital channels is a priority for the UK and our profile is critical to success. 

The Digital Communications Officer will have an exciting role in promoting the UK’s messages to audiences across East China across a range of sectors.  The jobholder will be tasked with integrated and impact-driven digital strategy and planning, content production and managing the Consulate’s day-to-day digital and social media presence. S/He will focus on broadening and deepening engagement with audiences, often developing significant media and KOL and partnerships to do so. The post holder will also be responsible for overseeing branding

Activities will involve working together closely with Communications Officer; Senior Communications Officer and Head of Communications. Reporting to the Senior Communications Officer, the jobholder will have the opportunity to manage communications/marketing activities independently but with support available when necessary. They will also work with colleagues at the Embassy in Beijing and other Consulates, as well as colleagues in the UK.  Given the highly important and integrated nature of a digital role, the jobholder must have excellent teamwork, interpersonal and communication skills.

China receives a high number of senior visitors from the UK, including regular visits by the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and other influential figures.  The successful applicant will be given a high level of exposure to these senior figures.

This opportunity comes at a particularly exciting time. Following on from the 2015 UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange; President Xi’s state visit to the UK, and the Prime Minister’s visit to China, we are now well in to a Golden Era of UK-China relations. The firm foundations have now been set to engage with the media and raise the profile of the work of the UK in China.

This role offers the opportunity to be part of a high-performing and ambitious team whose past achievements include hosting a world-record-breaking Queen’s Birthday Part afternoon tea; leading on the UK’s communications efforts for the 2016 G20 Summit in Hangzhou and the 2016UK-China High Level People to People Dialogue; leading the UK’s communications efforts for the 2018 China International Import EXPO; and working on campaigns such as Be Yourself, focusing on gender equality.  

Roles and responsibilities:

Integrated digital strategy and planning

• Increase awareness of and engagement with the UK’s strengths through digital activity. Lead on designing, developing and implementing impact-driven, innovative communications/marketing strategies and integrated cross-channel plans in the region. This includes across visits, campaigns and managing events. Communications must be timely, targeted, cohesive and relevant – focusing on broadening and deepening audience engagement.

Digital Content Production and channel management

•  Produce content for and manage Consulate digital channels including FCO network websites and intranet, social media platforms and apps. Provide clear and consistent reporting on performance, and optimise accordingly. Main job holder of the internal communications system and other online databases.

Digital partnership development

• Proactively developing and managing innovative, integrated and impact-driven digital partnerships, finding new and creative ways of delivering our work. Exploring chances for online collaborations with various external contacts and partners.

Brand Management

• Growing and managing the Consulate, FCO and GREAT brands in East China. Overseeing brand management across consulate marketing activity and events.

Support the wider Communications team to meet Consulate objectives

• Providing data analysis and evaluation of activities carried out (statistical and qualitative). Updating digital communications contacts list. Responsibility for internal digital communications, with skills in researching online news sources. Internal reporting on channel performance and relevant news/trends.  

• Bachelor's Degree
• Excellent spoken and written English and Chinese
• Ability to design impactful Power Point presentation. Photo-shop, Video editing skills
• Awareness or experience of the UK, particular public diplomacy objectives.
• Experience of online communications environment in China is essential