View Vacancy - Politics, Press, and Public Affairs Officer
Main purpose of job:
To communicate with the media and the public in order to explain and champion British policies to the US audience through media relations, digital outreach, and strategic communications campaigns. The jobholder will also cover some government relations duties, building relationships with decision-makers and opinion-formers around the region on behalf of the UK in order to support political and economic reporting to the British Embassy.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- Lead on developing and implementing projects for the promotion of key public diplomacy messages around the UK Government’s prosperity agenda, including that the UK has a strong economy and innovation market.
- Carry out the digital media strategy for the Consulate, working in concert with the Head of PPPA San Francisco and Embassy colleagues.
- Build and maintain relationships with key economic and political stakeholders within certain states in our coverage area; prepare concise background summaries in political and economic developments from those areas.
- Draft, coordinate and plan events and briefing materials for the Consul General, and official VIP visits throughout San Francisco’s consular region that support UK policy objectives.
- Proactively build relationships with key media—print, radio/TV, digital—and manage press interviews and briefings with the Consul General and Embassy colleagues.
- Ensure the Consul General, San Francisco-based staff and Embassy colleagues have a good sense of news and major events within our states by providing verbal and written updates throughout the day.
- Draft speeches for the Consul General, as needed.
- Manage the annual Marshall Scholarship selection process and outreach to Marshall alumni.
- Demonstrate strategic skills, confidence, and ability to interact face-to-face and remotely with senior staff and officials, consistently demonstrating understanding of what the UK Government trying to achieve and promote.
- Anticipate and make recommendations on matters relating to your projects and initiatives.
- Display good judgment and sound decision-making.
- Effectively coordinate, and work in tandem, with other UK Government teams and departments, as needed.
Essential on arrival:
- 3-5 years’ experience in communications, preferably with a governmental or international organisation or working in journalism.
- Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, including experience of working with senior level executives.
- Media handling skills including building relationships with journalists, and experience in arranging interviews and press briefings.
- A demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and to deliver results.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently.
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
- Experience of using digital media tools in professional outreach.
Desirable:
- Interest and knowledge of politics and foreign affairs, in particular US-UK relations
- Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills, including experience of working with senior level executives.
- Self-motivated and able to work independently.
- An enthusiastic and creative mindset.
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.
The British Consulate General in San Francisco represents the UK government in Northern California, Oregon, Washington State, Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming – travel to these areas may be required.
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
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.
