View Vacancy - External Engagement and Communications Manager
Main purpose of job:
The Welsh Government team at the British Embassy in Washington DC has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and driven individual to join us as our External Engagement and Communications Manager. The purpose of the role is to raise Wales’ profile in Washington DC among external stakeholders, with a particular focus on Congressional engagement and growing the Friends of Wales caucus. This is a rewarding role which supports the wider delivery of the International Strategy for Wales: to raise the profile of Wales overseas, to grow the Welsh economy through exports and inward investment, and to establish Wales as a globally responsible nation.
The post holder will be based in the British Embassy in Washington DC and reports to the Welsh Government’s Deputy Head of North America. They will focus on raising Wales’ profile in Washington DC through the development and delivery of an external engagement plan, as well as the design and delivery of stakeholder events. The successful individual will form a key part of the Welsh Government’s North American presence, which includes staff based across six cities in the USA and Canada. The role includes occasional support for other Welsh Government offices in North America in delivering their own external events, including the opportunity for travel.
The ideal candidate should possess excellent communication and networking skills, including experience working with a range of different stakeholders. They must also have a strong working knowledge of Congress and associated Congressional committees. Previous experience in a communications, engagement and/or business support role is desirable, but not essential.
The post holder will form part of the wider FCDO US Network. The US Network offers unique career enhancing opportunities and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver an external engagement plan for Washington DC to align with the goals of the Welsh Government’s International Strategy, with a particular focus on Congressional engagement.
- Design and deliver stakeholder events within Washington DC. Occasional support required for events outside of Washington DC, primarily in cities with Welsh Government presence: Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Montreal.
- Represent Wales at external events to deliver key objectives aligned with the International Strategy.
- Lead and manage the WG North America engagement channels (primarily twitter).
- Work directly with British Embassy Communications, Events, Political, and Congressional teams to identify and deliver on wider opportunities to raise Wales’ profile
- Support Heads of Regions in other WG NA offices, where required, to deliver their own programme of activity – including related support for finance processes and administrative requirements.
- Co-ordination & support in the delivery of Ministerial visits, where required.
- Excellent communication and networking skills, including experience working with a range of different stakeholders.
- A strong working knowledge of Congress and associated Congressional committees.
- 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.
- Previous experience in a communications, engagement and/or business support role is desirable, but not essential.
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 full time, 40 hours a week.
The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.
This opportunity is closed to applications.