View Vacancy - Head of Communications for Trade & Investment
Main purpose of job:
The UK Government seeks a proactive, enthusiastic, and creative Head of Communications for Trade & Investment, North America to deliver and oversee trade and investment promotion communications across the US and Canada, and in support of wider communications in the New York area. The jobholder will work under the direction of and closely with the Director of Communications and Marketing, Trade & Investment for North America.
Our core communications activities include press outreach, social media promotion, and executive communications that target the UK government’s US and Canadian audiences, including political leaders, influencers, exporters, consumers, influencers, economic policy makers and external partners.
This position will also support and strengthen the UK government communications function based in the New York Consulate General, and support overall UK government objectives in delivering through New York-based communications.
The role will also contextualize the UK’s unique business offer in relevant terms for American and Canadian audiences and to encourage them to invest in the UK, buy British goods and services, and look to the UK for thought leadership and solutions.
The jobholder will play an integral role in the delivery of these communications objectives within our annual Regional Trade Plan, and will work alongside and closely with the Head of Marketing for North America to ensure complementary delivery of their respective portfolios.
They will also work collaboratively with our other UK government departments and partners in the region to ensure our communications objectives and core messaging are well-aligned and reach mutual target audiences. The jobholder will interact regularly with senior leadership, assist in the production of team quarterly and annual reports, and proactive identify communications opportunities aimed at enhancing influence and delivering the UK’s export and investment objectives in North America.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- As required writing and editing of press releases, media advisories, and media pitching around core North America network activity; this includes identifying opportunities to proactively deliver on the annual communications plan, increase the communications profile of high-value projects and initiatives, and helping to develop messaging to be communicated with US network.
- Sourcing press and communications opportunities for the Trade Commissioner / Consul General, the Deputy Trade Commissioners for the US and Canada and other senior staff, and lead the team to identify priority themes in support of the UK’s trade and investment objectives in North America and the New York region;
- Contribute to regular analysis and evaluation of our communications to ensure value for money and effort;
- Represent team at regular cross-team/cross-HMG communications meetings, as agreed with Director of Comms and Marketing.
Resources managed:
Currently includes two staff members, but management responsibilities may change and evolve over time.
- Relevant experience in communications, public relations or media work;
- Excellent command of the English language, with attention to detail and strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. A demonstrated ability to write clearly, accurately, and persuasively;
- Reliable, capable under pressure, and strong interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating with senior officials or executives;
- Robust experience and understanding of social media platforms, delivery, and strategy;
- A proactive, self-starter with strong time management, multitasking and organizational skills;
- Collaborative and team-oriented to the core, with experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders (internal and external);
- Effective networking skills and natural ability to develop new strategic relationships;
- A demonstrated ability to deliver results in challenging environments;
- Demonstrable interest in the UK, trade, and international affairs;
- 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.
- Familiarity with the UK’s system of government and political system;
- Good grasp of general economic policies; general understanding of trade policy, trade and investment promotion.
Learning and development opportunities:
Internal onboarding/training to be completed in finance, procurement, campaign management, and OASIS (UK Government Communications Services’ official communications strategy format) planning.
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:
The individual would be based in New York. The core working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, but potentially variable (depending on workload) and somewhat flexible, with Line Manager's agreement. Occasional evening event attendance or travel may be required (less than 10% of time).
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.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
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, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
