View Vacancy - Head of Politics, Press & Public Affairs team
Main purpose of job:
The British Consulate-General in Chicago represents the UK diplomatically in 14 states throughout the Midwest. The Consulate is responsible for: developing business and political relations between the Midwest and the UK; promoting public diplomacy; and offering Consular services for British nationals.
The Consulate is now seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to head its Politics, Press & Public Affairs team. The successful candidate will lead on politics, communications and public diplomacy for the British Consulate-General in Chicago across the Midwest and Central United States.
Enhancing the UK’s reputation as a crucial partner for the US, the job holder will 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 Midwest region.
The job holder will be a central member of the Consulate team but will also work alongside our network of Political, Press & Public Affairs and Prosperity teams across the US led by the Washington Embassy. The jobholder reports to the Deputy Consul General and manages the Press, Public Affairs & Policy Officer and their Intern.
It's an exciting time to be in this role. Politically the region plays an important role on the US national stage, several of our 14 states will be key battlegrounds in the 2020 Presidential election. And particularly significant ahead of the UK’s hosting of COP 26 in Glasgow later this year, the job holder will also support UK energy and climate change initiatives across Chicago and the Midwest.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
• Develop a strong network of senior political, economic and media contacts across the Midwest and identify opportunities for political, economic and cultural collaboration between the UK and US.
• Closely follow political and economic developments providing high quality analysis of political and economic developments across the Midwest to the Embassy in Washington and FCO London.
• Through the Press, Public Affairs & Projects Officer implement delivery of an effective and dynamic communications strategy which enhances the UK’s reputation and adds value to the British Consulate-General’s activities.
• Develop and implement strategies and projects for the promotion of key UK public diplomacy objectives and soft power initiatives in collaboration with all Consulate teams. This will include representing the Consulate General at external events and speaking engagements.
• Lead visits of Her Majesty’s Government Ministers and officials through programme planning, briefing and advance logistical support. Through collaboration with Consulate and network colleagues ensure that programmes advance whole of Consulate objectives.
Essential on arrival
- Bachelors’ degree required. Degree in Communications, Political Science, Public Relations or Journalism preferred;
- 5 years professional experience in public affairs, media and communications, advocacy or policy; preferably including with a governmental/international organisation in a PR company, or working in journalism.
- Strong research skills and demonstrated interest in and knowledge of US politics and economics, particularly in the Midwest;
- Strong oral and written communication skills including the ability to effectively communicate with senior leaders;
- Ability to complete multiple tasks and a high volume of work on deadline and with limited supervision, delivering also through others;
- Attention to detail and ability to edit and proofread;
- Positive and flexible attitude, including willingness to travel frequently.
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.
Working for the British Consulate offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to learn and develop a wide range of skills, both in and outside of day-to-day responsibilities. We encourage staff to take responsibility for their own professional development, working with their line managers to create a bespoke learning & development strategy. Training courses online, at the Consulate, or at other posts across the global network are regularly attended by staff, with shadowing and secondment opportunities also encouraged too.
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.
