We are seeking a dynamic and well-rounded Administrative Assistant to join the Press & Public Affairs (PPA) team at the British Consulate General New York, which represents UK interests in the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut’s Fairfield County.

The Press & Public Affairs team is responsible for the Consulate’s press and media placements, special events and marketing, social and digital media, VIP visits and political engagement. The Administrative Assistant will help manage the day-to-day administration of the department as well as events and projects alongside the other 6 members of the team.

PPA works closely with other government departments co-located at the Consulate, including the Department for International Trade, VisitBritain, British Council, UK Visas & Immigration, Northern Ireland Bureau and Wales International Centre, to help deliver on their press and outreach goals.

The job holder will report to the Press & Public Affairs Special Projects Coordinator and be based at the Consulate in midtown Manhattan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide administrative support and assistance with:

• Special events: sending invitations, compiling guest lists, preparing briefing, prepping for and working events, liaising with vendors, maintaining a post-wide calendar of events
• VIP visits: booking hotels and vehicles, coordinating airport assistance, creating itineraries
• Media monitoring: daily round-up of British-related news and articles, monitoring for specific events and issues as needed
• Finance: Compiling expense projections, maintaining deadlines, consolidating department financials and tracking final expenses
• Department administration: maintaining Public Affairs inbox, keeping agendas and minutes for weekly office-wide and PPA team meetings, ordering office supplies, renewing subscriptions, maintaining gift logs, scheduling meetings, booking rooms
• Communications strategy: liaising with press, brainstorming for social media, photographing/ videoing events
• Support for the Deputy Consul General: diary management, financial tracking, other projects
• Other duties and projects as needed

• 1-3 years of relevant work experience
• Bachelor’s degree
• Excellent research, writing and communication skills
• Ability to prioritise, organize, problem-solve, manage and execute multiple tasks, while maintaining strong attention to detail
• Creativity, flexibility, adaptability, and excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Ability to take direction, learn quickly and willingness to take initiative
• Good judgement and decision-making skills
• Comfortable networking, meeting new people and interacting with people within all levels of an organization
• Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a Consulate and appreciation of the challenges and sensitivities of working in government and diplomacy
• A good knowledge of multi-cultural Britain, its language and geography
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as necessary

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.com. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.