View Vacancy - Scheduler for the British Ambassador to the United States of America, Washington D.C.

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)
Private Office

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Washington has an exciting opportunity in the office of the UK’s most senior Ambassador. This is a rewarding role which helps to support and further develop the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The Ambassador’s Scheduler works directly to the Chief of Staff and is a cornerstone of the Private Office, which supports the Ambassador and their Deputy in leading on the full-range of the Embassy’s diverse activity. The core responsibility of this role is ensuring the Ambassador’s time is used most effectively. This requires creativity and outstanding organisational skills.

The successful candidate must be comfortable with liaising with a list of contacts that spans the full breadth of British Government and US Administration, Congress and Interagency, as well as civil society, the media and charity sectors. Your day-to-day work will involve speaking to any number of senior figures. Discretion is key, as are exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

The job holder will be a crucial member of a friendly and approachable team (the “Private Office” in British parlance; Executive Office in the US), which is relied upon by the wider Embassy to set direction and articulate the Ambassador’s requirements. A collaborative approach is a must-have. This position is often the first point of contact encountered by external stakeholders wishing to engage the Embassy, so a friendly and professional manner, patience and flexibility are all crucial qualities for success.

The ideal candidate will be a true team player, capable of organising themselves and others, who is comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment. We will look for candidates who can demonstrate attention to detail and an aptitude for prioritisation. Experience in Executive Offices of any kind is desirable.   

Working so closely to the diplomatic frontlines means there are ample opportunities to attend receptions and events. There may be some opportunities for travel within the US.

The UK’s US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. The Embassy offers in a diverse international environment and you will work closely with British diplomats and armed forces personnel, as well as many other US-based staff operating across the British Government’s large network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with rich and diverse backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences.

 

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Schedule meetings and maintaining the Ambassador’s diary in line with wider Embassy priorities;
  • Being the point-of-contact for the Ambassador and Chief of Staff for external stakeholders;
  • Deliver strategic messages and demonstrate good interpersonal skills to external stakeholders as the point-of-contact for the Ambassador and Chief of Staff;
  • Take minutes of meetings and track follow-up actions with Embassy staff;
  • Communicate last-minute changes or schedule adjustments with Ambassador, Private Office, and other stakeholders;
  • Assist with programme and travel arrangements for the Ambassador’s visits to the UK and across the US;
  • Support the Chief of Staff with a variety of tasking across the Private Office and beyond.

Resources managed:

None.

 

 

Essential on arrival:

  • Excellent secretarial skills, including touch and/or speed typing and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Excellent organisational skills and a keen eye for detail;
  • Strong team player who can multitask and work flexibly based on the changing needs of the team and business;
  • Language: native English speaker;
  • 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. 

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: Native fluency

Desirable:

  • 2-3 years of previous experience of scheduling/diary management required;
  • Experience of working in British or American Government, or in other Embassies.
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
13 February 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$67,275
3 April 2023

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Working patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week. Due to the high-paced and sensitive nature of some work in Private Office, there may be some work out of core hours and there are limited opportunities to work from home.


Other:

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. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

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.