Chief Communications Officer- Defence

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington D.C. has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and creative person to join the Communications Team as Chief Communications Officer – Defence. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront of defence diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The job will give you hands-on exposure to the military, defence relations, diplomacy and allow you to grow your media and communications experience.

In response to a changing America, the Communication Team is looking to modernise perceptions of the UK, reach new audiences and increase the volume of the UK’s communications activity in Washington and across the US. Our communications team is focussed on reinforcing positive perceptions of the UK, challenging negative or outdated views and promoting opportunities around shared values and ambitions, reinforcing the UK’s relevance to the US as a modern and dynamic partner of choice.

The successful candidate will work on a wide range of press activity, working with a busy, motivated and experienced communications team. Typical tasks will include engaging with US media outlets and journalists, briefing in and shaping US coverage of UK defence cooperation and planning forward-looking media activity for the Ambassador, Defence Attaché and visiting VIPs.

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, a clear and effective communicator, have an active interest/experience in defence and security with a working understanding of the US media landscape.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity 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. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side by side UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain relationships with defence and Pentagon correspondents. Manage stakeholder plans and our defence journalist network.
• Lead on reactive press queries and proactive press releases.
• Shape US broadcast and print coverage.
• Organise Defence press briefings including sending out invitations, setting up location etc.
• Media monitoring and evaluation of UK defence stories.
• Use creative and engaging ways to promote the shared UK/US defence priorities, working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. Generate proactive stories relating to the UK/US defence relationship.
• Lead on media arrangements for Ministerial visits from the UK, identifying opportunities and delivering on media engagement.
• Work to the Head of News and wider team to deliver defence comms campaigns.
• Forge relationships and liaise closely with relevant US administration teams on joint priorities.
• Occasional weekend press officer duty and out of hours press office support.
• Flexing and supporting communications colleagues on other portfolios - any other duties as assigned.

Working Patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week, there is some flexibility over working hours each day. 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.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on Arrival:

• Relevant experience in communications, politics, public relations or media
• Understanding of and interest in defence and security policy
• A strong working understanding of US media landscape
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence in communicating with senior level officials, politicians or executives
• Ability to deliver high quality outcomes, under pressure and/or to tight deadlines
• A proactive, self-starter with strong time management skills
• Experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders and broad network of contacts

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Defence/political/government/embassy comms experience
• Working knowledge of UK media landscape

Required behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing

Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month Application deadline - year

31 October 2022

Grade

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

40

Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory

United States

Location (City)

Washington

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

USD

Salary

$62,721

Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year

12 December 2022

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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 (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Other:

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

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.