View Vacancy - Digital and Social Media Officer – Military and Defence

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Washington is seeking a highly motivated and creative individual for the position of Digital and Social Media Officer – Military and Defence. The job holder will use social media to promote the work of the British Armed Forces within the United States - raising the profile of the wider UK-US defence relationship and strengthening public perceptions of the UK as the US’ most capable, international defence partner. They will monitor the activities of our US-based military personnel and find strategic and powerful ways to promote their work across our digital platforms.

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

• Launch and manage two new social media accounts (Twitter and Instagram) for US-based British armed forces and run two additional accounts for senior members of the British defence staff. 

• Use creative and engaging ways to digitally promote the UK-US defence relationship to a wide ranging American audience – from stakeholders in Washington to university students across the country.

• Generate creative social media content and collate content from UK military officials across the US network.

• Monitor social media trends and find unique opportunities for the promotion of the British Defence Services in the US.

• Develop an effective and long-term defence social media strategy as well as provide analysis on how the UK military is presented on social media.

• Produce video and graphics for use in defence media campaigns.

• Report to the Deputy Head of Communications (Defence & Foreign Policy) and work alongside the Head of Digital and Chief Communications Officer (Defence) to enhance the broader defence communications strategy.

• Work closely with communications and defence colleagues at the Ministry of Defence in London, being aware of long-term events and campaigns that can be promoted through our social media channels.

• Accompany senior defence officials on travel engagements within the US – providing social media updates around key events and assisting with general press engagement.

• Cultivate and maintain excellent relationships with American counterparts.

• Support the wider embassy communications team, assisting with broader communications tasks/press engagement when necessary and being available for occasional weekend/out of hours work.

• Support the communications of the British Defence Services internally - distributing information for defence staff in the embassy and the wider US defence network.

Essential on arrival

• University degree or equivalent qualification.

• At least 3 years relevant experience in social media, with particular knowledge of Twitter and Instagram.

• Proven experience of brand-building/profile awareness and running an organisation’s social media accounts.

• Ability to shoot and edit short videos – skills in Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign.

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

• A proactive, self-starter with effective time management skills.