Main purpose of job:
Launched in 2011, the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign (GREAT) is the UK government’s flagship international marketing programme. It aims to drive growth and enhance the reputation of the UK, by fostering positive perceptions and encouraging the world to visit, trade, invest, study, live and work in the UK.
See the latest brand film here: https://youtu.be/GGxdLfkXQo8
Working for the Great Programme Lead for North America, the Chief Communication Officer – GREAT will support GREAT activity in North America.
The role will support delivery of ambitious campaigns across North America with a special focus on a large, 5 day campaign activation in Los Angeles which will take place in May 2026. Campaign activity can range from paid media campaigns to in person events. In this anniversary year of America 250 much of the campaign activity will focus on the UK and US’s special relationship and the next 250 years of friendship and collaboration.
Daily tasks range from assessing potential activity against set objectives to feeding into large media partnerships to supporting on the ground events and activations. This role works closely with senior leaders, the Los Angeles Consulate and the US based central communications team for North America. The role is in regular contact with management teams from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Cabinet Office departments and works across several other UK government departments and organisations in North America and the UK – usually working across 3-4 time zones. The FCDO has a significant diplomatic presence in North America and this role works across 9 offices in the US and 5 in Canada as well as the ‘home’ departments in the UK.
This is a fast paced, varied and engaging role, working with a truly international team, that may require some travel around the US and to the UK. It also requires a good knowledge of living and working in Los Angeles and a working knowledge of the UK and its government.
Roles and responsibilities:
The GREAT Chief Communications Officer supports the GREAT Programme Lead who is based in the British Embassy in Washington and works closely with the Project Manager for Los Angeles who is based in LA. More specific responsibilities include:
Tasks relating to the Greater Together LA (GTLA) activation in May 2026:
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: excellent verbal and written English
Other skills / experience / qualifications:
As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.
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.).
For open-ended positions only: 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 28 July 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 ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
Learning and development opportunities:
The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We actively encourage learning & development, and will develop a specific plan in collaboration with the successful candidate.
Working patterns:
This role is 40 hours a week based in the British Consulate Los Angeles.
The British Embassy and its Canada Network embraces hybrid working. You are required to work from the office three days a week. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
