Deputy Head of West Coast, Welsh Government

The British Government’s Consulate in Los Angeles is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Welsh Government team as Deputy Head of the West Coast. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, and represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen Wales’ profile and influence while delivering tangible benefits to the country.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and access to world-class learning and development resources.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.

As Deputy Head of West Coast in the Welsh Government team, you will contribute to strengthening UK–US collaboration in support of Wales’s international objectives. Positioned within the Welsh Government’s North America network and reporting to the Head of West Coast, you will work closely with a variety of stakeholders including Welsh Government colleagues across the US and UK networks, and UK Government partners such as the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). You will build and maintain strong external relationships with senior business leaders, investors, and partners across 12 western US states—California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming.

This role supports the Welsh Government’s overarching International Strategy, which aims to:

• Raise the profile of Wales overseas;
• Grow the Welsh economy through exports and inward investment; and
• Establish Wales as a globally responsible nation.

You’ll have the opportunity to represent Wales and further Welsh Government interests across a broad range of devolved policy areas. The postholder will contribute to delivering the regional objectives for the West Coast and may occasionally be required to deputise for the Head of West Coast on aspects of Welsh Government’s work in-market.

We’re looking for a dynamic, confident, and highly motivated professional with a strong background in trade and investment, and the ability to identify and progress inward investment opportunities for Wales. You will be a skilled communicator and relationship builder, able to engage effectively with senior external stakeholders and foster productive partnerships that deliver tangible results. A self-starter who thrives under limited day-to-day supervision, you’ll combine strategic thinking with the flexibility to adapt to a fast-moving international environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of West Coast to deliver the Welsh Government International Strategy, occasionally deputising when necessary and appropriate.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of inward investment projects that have the potential to bring high-value jobs to Wales, identifying, developing, and delivering new and secondary investment projects across priority sectors.
• Provide business intelligence on sector-specific developments and regional opportunities for Wales, with a focus on Compound Semiconductors, Life Sciences, Creative Industries, and Tech.
• Assist Welsh businesses by identifying regional export opportunities, advising on local trading conditions and market entry strategies, and supporting Welsh Government trade missions to the West Coast.
• Develop and maintain high-level, influential networks across the region to build the profile of Wales and deliver the International Strategy, including collaboration with UK Government and external networks.
• Represent Wales at external events such as conferences and trade shows, delivering key messages aligned with the International Strategy.
• Work closely with the Head of the West Coast on Ministerial visits and visits by senior government officials by securing high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials. Support Ministerial visits when they take place, including substantial direct engagement with Ministers.
• Support the development and nurturing of a robust Welsh diaspora network in the region.

Expectation of duties:

1. Trade and Investment (about 60%)

Drive efforts to attract inward investment from the West Coast into Wales and identify and support export opportunities for Welsh businesses. Provide market intelligence, build sector expertise, and manage a pipeline of projects in key areas including Compound Semiconductors, Life Sciences, Creative Industries, and Tech.

2. Strategic Relationship Management and Diaspora Engagement (about 20%)

Develop and sustain senior-level networks across business, government, and industry to raise Wales’s profile and promote strategic interests. Represent Wales at events and conferences. Collaborate with UK Government and partners to identify and advance shared priorities. Support development of a strong Welsh diaspora network and engage with cultural, academic, and community partners to enhance Wales’s visibility and influence.

3. Support to Head of West Coast and Leadership Duties (about 10%)

Support delivery of regional objectives and occasionally deputise for the Head of West Coast as required. Contribute to strategic planning, reporting, and coordination across the Welsh Government’s North America network.

4. Ministerial and Senior Visits (about 10%)

Coordinate and deliver Ministerial and senior official visits to the region. Manage programmes, secure high-level meetings, and prepare briefing materials to ensure successful outcomes and effective engagement.

*These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organizational needs.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• 3+ years directly related professional experience, preferably including experience in Government and/or working in an international setting.
• A track record of working collaboratively with colleagues across different locations and with considerable autonomy.
• Experience dealing with companies and organizations at a senior level, with a proven record of fostering business relationships and a demonstrated ability to think strategically.
• A solid understanding of both the US and UK business environments.
• Excellent communication and networking skills.

Language requirements: English

Level of language required: Expert

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Appreciation and understanding / familiarity of Wales.
• Excellent public speaking skills and the ability to present effectively.
• A degree in a related field (eg. Economics, International Trade, Finance, or Business Administration with trade focus)

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together

Application deadline

17 December 2025

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

Los Angeles

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

87,920

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

16 February 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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.

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 17 December 2025.

Core Hours/Hybrid Working

While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.

Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs.

All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager.

Working Patterns:

Job holder must be able to attend events outside of office hours, and undertake travel in USA and internationally, up to 25% of your time.