View Vacancy - Strategic Communications Adviser and Press Secretary to Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America
Main purpose of job:
Based in New York, the Strategic Communications Adviser and Press Secretary to Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for North America (US and Canada) will shape the communications and marketing strategy for HMTC and those working to him.
The jobholder will support the HMTC in setting the strategy for, and providing direction to, communications and marketing work undertaken by the Department for International Trade (DIT) staff and others working on trade issues in both the US and Canada, and help coordinate communications and marketing work undertaken by staff from a range of UK government departments in the US working on wider prosperity issues (business and economics, science and innovation, climate change, and more).
The jobholder’s duties will include seeking out media opportunities for HMTC as the UK Government spokesperson in the US and Canadian media on trade, economic, environment and energy policies, promoting UK exports and the UK as an investment destination.
This role will oversee the press team at the British Consulate General in New York (three staff) as part of the UK Communications network led from DC. It will work closely with the DIT Marketing Team for North America (eight staff in New York City and one in Toronto) and Press and Public Affairs Officers in Washington DC and other posts in North America to implement shared prosperity strategic communications plans.
What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- Provide advice on strategic communications priorities for issues under the HMTC’s remit by developing, implementing, and evaluating an annual communications plan for the HMTC and the priorities set out in the Regional Trade Plan, in collaboration with all relevant colleagues in the US, Canada and UK, including press/media and digital.
- Advise HMTC and senior leadership in the network on strategies to reach target influencers in the US and Canadian media markets including providing guidance on deploying HMTC as a spokesperson for the trade and investment and wider prosperity agenda across North America, working closely with the Communications Director and Prosperity communications colleagues based in Washington DC, and with the Science and Innovation Network in the US.
- Lead on the delivery of a unified communications policy; including advising members of the DIT marketing team on content generation for digital communications, including social media, and for the HMTC that engages audience segments and leads to measurable outcomes.
- Oversee the press team at the British Consulate General in New York, and coordinate the prosperity-related aspects of their work, including through digital channels. This will include supporting HMTC in his other capacity as British Consul General in New York.
Essential on arrival:
- Eight years substantive experience in relevant positions (proven communications experience and skills).
- Have a Degree (BA) in a related field.
- Ability to see and set strategic priorities. Sound judgement. Strong delivery skills. Works well under pressure.
- Leadership and management experience in a relevant role, with a track record of fostering collaboration and partnerships.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to deliver through teams and work productively with wider networks of colleagues.
Desirable:
- Good understanding of trade policy, trade and investment promotion, and/or economic issues preferred.
Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy Network may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A or NATO visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A or NATO 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.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.
*A visas or NATO visas with EAD cards are acceptable at the Embassy, Consulates, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts.
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local American employment law.
Candidates who are not US taxpaying citizens will be paid a net salary based on a simulated US tax status. Salary will be confirmed upon offer of employment.
Learning and development opportunities:
We offer a wide variety of L&D opportunities to suit each individual. L&D is an essential part of a jobholder’s appraisal. This jobholder would need to complete the necessary communication expertise courses, and would agree an L&D plan with their management based on the individual’s expertise and experience.
Working patterns:
Individual would need to be based in New York. The core working hours are 9am to 5pm, but variable (depending on workload) and flexible, with Line Manager's agreement.
Note
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 an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or other category protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
