View Vacancy - JPN - Head of Press and Digital C4(L)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Communications, Press and Media

Main purpose of job:

Leads the Japan Network’s press and public relations to ensure appropriate Japanese and UK media audiences are used to effectively promote UK values, government policy and deliver on the Japan Network’s strategic objectives.

Own and cultivate effective relationships among key Japanese media (print, TV, digital) in Japan and Japanese media based in UK

Ensure public relations are successfully managed for visits to London by key UK figures and that planning for visits is clear and well supported by London-based colleagues. 

Lead the creation of proactive press and digital plans to ensure well-planned work and team members are both capably reactive and proactive in their work. 

The post holder will be required to work under their own initiative and will have significant impact on the work of the Japan Network.

Roles and responsibilities 

Excellent people management (20%) including:

  • Line management of 2-3 press and digital officers in Tokyo and Osaka; invested in staff development and performance.
  • Management of busy work flows, ensure adequate resourcing during staff leave.
  • Confident engagement with senior management; effective reporting and recommendations to Head of Media, Communications and Marketing; finding and recommending solutions when under pressure.

Cultivate and maintain a powerful media network (30%) including:

  • Pro-actively develop and maintain a network of media contacts and influencers and use these to effect change in Japanese press reporting and public perception on the UK, engaging support of senior/relevant Japan Network colleagues as appropriate.
  • Ensure press material (press releases, Q&As, briefings) are of a high quality and suitable for audiences for maximum impact.
  • Build an extensive network of relationships across government communications individuals in Whitehall, including the FCDO, DIT and the Prime Minister’s office, to confidently adapt or deliver successful media support to campaigns and get the best out of media contacts. 

Effective management of press handling for events and VIP visits (25%) including:

  • Liaise directly with government departments; take responsibility for press engagement work for senior British visitors to Japan, identifying and suggesting best opportunities and liaising as needed with visit officers in Japan and the UK.
  • To own and manage media activities such as press conferences and products (such as press releases). Particularly in the prioritising and planning stages to ensure strategic focus, measurable impact, relevance for the audience and professional delivery. Will occasionally be expected to chair or MC press events.
  • Responsible for creation and delivery of a range of communications products for the Japan network, from speeches (in English and Japanese) for the Ambassador and Network senior leadership to support totality of Country Plan. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)


  • Line manage 2-3 press and digital officers
  • Budgets: Access to section FY communications budget.
  • Travel and entertainment budget

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership. Each year the job holder will be encouraged to use 5 development days to pursue job related and personal development goals. 

All staff are required to take a role in the embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills

Working patterns:

The British Embassy, Tokyo supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This particular role allows for flexibility in start and end times, working compressed hours, working remotely and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management. 

-          5+  years’ experience in senior public relations position.

-          Experience managing diverse staff.

-          Proven experience working with  Japanese media

-          Experience in digital communications.

-          Deep country knowledge and proven ability to engage Japanese audiences.

-          Strong IT skills, (including standard Microsoft Office programmes and familiarity with latest digital tools).

-          English language at IELTS band 7 or TOEIC 875 points or above or equivalent, with experience of working in an English speaking environment


Language requirements:

 Language: English and Japanese 

Level of language required: English (spoken and written) business level; Japanese (spoken and written) fluent. 

-          Holds relevant industry qualification or certification in communications, marketing and/or project management.

-          Expertise in relevant digital platforms, production and techniques.

-          Familiarity with government communications, policy and priorities.

-          Budget management skills and experiences.

10 March 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Asia Pacific
Japan
Tokyo
British Embassy
1
JPY
682,613 JPY
10 May 2021
  • 1 month salary bonus equivalents payable in June and December
  • (Note: Salary may be reduced due to tax status)
  • Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
  • 25 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
  • Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
  • Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

  • The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership. Each year the job holder will be encouraged to use 5 development days to pursue job related and personal development goals.  

    All staff are required to take a role in the embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills. 

The applicant must have work authorisation for Japan however if a foreign national, the British Embassy/Consulate General will support a visa application if required.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.