View Vacancy - Social Secretary (temporary cover)

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 (Residence and Support Staff)
Residence Coordinator

Main purpose of job:

To oversee the planning, implementing and execution of events at the British Ambassador’s Residence.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Planning all events at the Ambassador’s Residence including: drawing up guest lists, sending invitations, taking responses, following up on non-responders, creating seating plans.
  • Managing logistics of events at the Residence by coordinating with the event holder, Security, Chef, Head Gardener, the Residence Manager and supporting team members.
  • Manage the Residence’s calendar and schedule of events.
  • Monitor and respond to emails queries on Residence events.
  • Work directly with the Ambassador’s Private Office to ensure efficient planning of the Residence’s forward programme of events and provide assistance/guidance as needed.
  • Attend events to oversee success and troubleshoot problems as they arise. This also includes proactively initiating conversations with guests to make them feel comfortable and engaged at events.
  • Maintain records of guest lists and dietary requirements, maintain database.
  • Advise on British and US etiquette and protocol.
  • Meet and greet guests (including houseguests) and assist with requests as needed.
  • Direct management of the Assistant to the Social Secretary.

The job holder will achieve orchestrating a large number of events while maintaining high standards.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Direct management of the Assistant to the Social Secretary

No accounting required

Essential on arrival:

  • Experience with event planning
  • People skills
  • Computer skills
  • Ability to network
  • Strong organization skills
  • Good manners and decorum
  • Keen attention to detail
  • Show discretion
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Fluency in English

The jobholder will be expected to: 

  • Maintain extremely high standards
  • Show discretion at all times
  • The ability to work independently, without constant supervision
  • Be able to react to situations which may arise unexpectedly
  • Have the ability to work under pressure and at a fast pace
  • Knowledge of running events, and ability to create seating plans
  • Willingness to learn and be flexible
  • Be professional and efficient
  • Be observant and aware of situations
  • Think on your feet
  • Have common sense
  • Dress appropriately

Good hand writing

2 May 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time, Temporary
40-60 (Variable depending on schedule of events)
9 months
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$85,686
21 June 2021

This is a full-time, fixed-term/temporary role. The current contract is for 9 months to end at the end of February 2022. 

This job is not suitable for flexible working patterns. This job requires early morning starts and late night finishes, working over some holidays and some weekends.

The jobholder will be expected to go into the Embassy to perform the job duties. 

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 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, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

Please upload a CV/RESUME. 

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.