View Vacancy - Events and Engagement Manager

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Scottish Government / Scotland House Brussels

Main purpose of job:

The Scottish Government USA team is seeking an Events and Engagement Manager to support its work to promote Scotland’s interests through political, cultural, and economic diplomacy. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team of four comprised of two Scottish diplomats and one other Country Based Staff member, working closely together to:

  • Ensure our economic, diplomatic, and cultural activity contributes to the Scottish Government’s priorities of eradicating child poverty, growing the Scottish economy, tackling the climate emergency and improving public services across Scotland.
  • Showcase Scotland's ambition on climate and the environment, positioning Scotland’s climate and environment work on the global stage.
  • Maximise people to people connections by promoting the full offering of modern Scotland including our economic interests, education, innovation and research, culture, and potential for policy exchange.
  • Showcase Scotland as a hub for innovation, trade, and investment — strengthening existing trade and investment links and seeking out new opportunities — all underpinned by our shared values and principles.

You will play a critical role in delivering the above activity by planning and delivering high quality events that promote Brand Scotland and contribute towards our strategic objectives. This will include Scottish cultural events like Burns Night, showcasing Scottish exports, networking events, partnerships with Scottish organisations and other formats that help us reach new audiences.

You will also manage the office’s approach to external engagement, with a focus on public diplomacy and the Scottish diaspora community. You will be responsible for implementing Scottish Connections – the Scottish Government’s Framework for diaspora engagement – in the US market.

Roles and responsibilities:

This job is highly operational and focusses on three key strands of work: delivery of events, implementation of Scottish Connections framework, and external engagement.

Events (33%)

You will lead on planning and delivery of all logistical components of Scottish Government USA virtual and in-person events, with responsibility for:

  • Ensuring Scottish Government events are delivered smoothly, within budget, and in line with our business plan.
  • Maintaining positive relationships with suppliers, sponsors, event participants, event partners, and other stakeholders.
  • Regularly engaging with our network to support partner projects and events, either directly through office support or indirectly with access to our networks.
  • Escalating any concerns about the deliverability of planned events to the Deputy Head of Office.

Scottish Connections (33%)

Using your relationships and engagement with cultural and diaspora organisations, as well as Scottish policy teams and other key stakeholders, you will ensure the office plays its part in delivering the Scottish Connections framework by:

  • Leading on design and delivery of Scottish Connections implementation plan for the US market, which will involve both scoping new activity and identifying opportunities to realign existing plans and projects.
  • Maintaining and growing a positive network of relevant stakeholders and organisations aligned with the Scottish Connections framework.
  • Assessing the alignment of grant applications made against the objectives of Scottish Connections and providing advice to the Head and Deputy Head of Office on this.
  • Managing the grant award process for successful applicants.
  • Monitoring the outcomes of grants made against the objectives of Scottish Connections and ensuring that appropriate records are kept.

External engagement (33%)

You will support the Scottish Government to engage external stakeholders through public diplomacy activity, with emphasis on reaching under-represented constituencies including children and young people; older people; ethnic minority communities and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This may include:

  • Engagement with local schools or youth groups.
  • Exchange as part of Sister City partnerships.
  • Capitalising on visiting Scottish sports teams, performing companies and talent to promote Brand Scotland.

Due to the nature of this role, some evening and weekend work will be required to support the delivery of events. Expectations will be discussed well in advance.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

You will assess and administer applications for Scottish Government grants made to external organisations for projects that contribute towards our business plan (approx. $50k per annum).

 

 


Essential on arrival:

  • At least 2 years experience of event management and delivery.
  • Excellent team-working and interpersonal skills that allow you to build strong networks.
  • Demonstrable project management skills.
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and use of social media.
  • Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
  • English language

Desirable skills / experience / qualifications:

  • Ability to assess projects and grant proposals against specific objectives and make evidenced recommendations.
  • Some experience in administering payments and/or grants as part of a public sector organisation is desirable.
  • Experience of event management in a public sector context.
  • Familiarity with the concept of nation brand and reputation.
  • While a connection to or existing interest in Scotland is not expected or required, you should be open to learning more about its people, politics, and culture to support you in your work.

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
26 June 2025
Executive Officer (EO)
Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
66,497.00
yearly
18 August 2025

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working. 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. 

Please note: 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.).   

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.  

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer.  Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution. Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes.  For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional - before accepting a job.

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 26 June 2025.

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

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.

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

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.


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.