View Vacancy – Press Secretary, New York Consulate

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.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Communications, Press and Media

Are you a seasoned media relations expert with a deep understanding of the US press landscape? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment, crafting compelling narratives that resonate with a wide range of audiences?

The UK Government seeks a highly motivated Head of Communications to join our dynamic team at the British Consulate in New York. In this pivotal role, you will be crucial in shaping public perceptions of the UK across the vibrant Northeast United States, encompassing New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Be at the Forefront of Global Affairs:

As part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), you will contribute to shaping the UK’s role in the United States. We champion the UK’s national interests and values, promote the safety and prosperity of British citizens, and tackle global challenges in collaboration with our international partners. The role covers a wide range of policy areas, including politics, trade and investment, culture, tourism, tech and AI etc.

This role is an opportunity for a professional communicator passionate about public diplomacy and UK-US relations. You will possess strong leadership skills and personal resilience and lead the Consulate’s communications activities across media relations, public affairs, and the consulates digital outputs .

Make a significant impact:

Be the key communications advisor to the Consul General and Deputy Consul General, providing strategic guidance on press, media, and communications matters. Develop and implement a comprehensive annual communications plan to secure positive media coverage in the New York and regional media to promote the UK’s economic strength, education offerings, and tourism opportunities. Build and maintain a network of relationships with media advisors and journalists across [print, digital etc.] to proactively secure news stories to implement the plan. Foster understanding and collaboration between the UK and the US by championing UK values and culture. Provide management, support, and direction to our Digital Officer, ensuring the effective use of digital channels to amplify the Consulate’s message and engage diverse audiences.

You will report directly to the NY Consulate’s Director of Communications and need to cooperate closely with the British Embassy in Washington who coordinate UK communications across the USA.

Ideal candidate:

The Consulate is looking for a proven communications professional who can deliver through their team, as well as working closely with other teams, has a track record of delivering imaginative communications, has excellent influencing skills and decisive judgement, and is a problem-solver who can motivate a team (including when operating under pressure).

The candidate will have a record of leading and implementing a communications strategy, landing coverage, as well as having an excellent understanding of the US media landscape, political dynamics, and cultural nuances. You will be interested in the UK and want to proactively promote a positive image of the UK in New York and the region.

You will be a confident and articulate communicator who is comfortable liaising with senior stakeholders. You will have strong writing and editing skills and can craft clear, concise, and engaging press materials.

You will possess excellent media relations skills with a track record of securing placements in top-tier publications and media outlets. You will have a strong understanding of the digital landscape and its role in communications, strong interpersonal skills, and are comfortable building relationships with journalists and senior stakeholders. You will be calm under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. It is a small team and a hands-on position so you must also be comfortable around pitching in to organise media events and visits and maintaining media databases.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive media strategy across the Consulate, proactively pitching stories and securing positive media coverage for the Consul General and the UK Government’s priorities in the region.
  • Media Relations Expertise – build and maintain strong relationships with national, regional, and specialist media outlets across the Northeast US. Including some regional travel.
  • Handling high profile issues and influencing senior internal and external stakeholders.
  • Delivering media campaigns through the wider consular team and US Comms network.
  • Sharp news sense and first-rate writing skills.
  • Content Creation – craft compelling press releases, talking points, and other communications materials tailored for the US audience.
  • Cooperate closely with the British Embassy in Washington who coordinate UK communications across the USA.
  • Contribute to the UK-in-USA network of communicators – based in our Embassy in Washington and 8 British Consulates around America.
  • Supporting the Consul General – act as a trusted advisor and media liaison for the Consul General, proactively securing opportunities to deliver effective communication with the press.
  • Line management and leadership – lead and manage the digital officer and deliver through the wider consulate team.
  • Media Monitoring – track and analyse media coverage, providing insights and recommendations to refine the press strategy.
  • Crisis Communication – develop and implement effective crisis communication plans, ensuring clear and consistent messaging during challenging situations.
  • Contribute to the wider corporate culture at the British Consulate.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Resources managed:

This role has line management responsibilities for the Digital Officer, who leads on content creation and social media management for the consulate and consular patch, reporting into the Director of Marketing and Communications.

  • Experience of working in a fast-paced environment, with highly effective media, rebuttal, and crisis management skills along with excellent political understanding and news judgement, plus being able to react quickly and confidently in developing situations.
  • Excellent understanding of the US and regional media market
  • Strong working relationships with local and regional media outlets
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences
  • Proven track record of engaging with stakeholders, designing, and delivering engagement strategies, and evaluating impact.
  • Experience of leading virtual teams and working closely with colleagues in the wider organisation to achieve objectives, including having the ability to build and maintain relationships both internally and externally, with strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
  • A track record of being a strong and supportive leader, with history of managing and developing/nurturing teams experience in setting and maintaining high standards for a team, enabling it to operate efficiently, effectively and ensure team members are challenged and motivated.
  • Clarity of argument and concise writing skills, as well as having a strong ability to maintain good judgment and attention to detail even under pressure.
  • Exceptional influencing skills, confidence and experience advising senior leaders, plus experience in supporting a team to do so.
  • Experience of developing communication plans and evaluation in a news environment, plus having experience of developing and leading multi-channel media strategies.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent

  • Experience in Crisis Communications – develop and manage effective crisis communication plans is essential. You need to be calm under pressure and ensure clear, consistent messaging during challenging situations.

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Working Together

5 June 2024

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Full-time, Permanent

40

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

United States

New York

British Embassy

1

USD

$108,100 (annually)

22 July 2024

Working Patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week.  

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff where viable to work from home a maximum of two times a week.  We are an organisation that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office regularly. This is a hands-on role, and it is not well suited to fixed remote working patterns.  It will also involve some need to work a few events a month in the evenings or occasionally on weekend – for which we offer time off in lieu. 

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.).   

Benefits Summary:                                                                                                                          
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.  

We offer: 

  • Generous leave package plus public holidays
  • Generous 401k matching
  • Excellent healthcare options
  • Paid sick leave
  • Generous parental leave policy
  • A great work-life balance including flexible start and finish times and a hybrid working model with staff splitting their time between working from home and the office
  • Short-term disability, long-term disability and life insurance coverage
  • High quality L&D services with global sessions and events every day to help you develop and meet organisational needs, including up to 5 days paid leave each year to pursue your professional development
  • Inclusivity is one of our core values and we strive to treat everyone openly, fairly and equally.  All new team members learn about how they can contribute to an inclusive environment and the importance of diversity and inclusion

Please note: 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, A and NATO visa holders with EAD cards, and L2 visa holders with an up-to-date I-94 form. 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. 

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 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. 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.

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.

To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/
To help us track our recruitment effort, please specify on the application form/indicate in your cover letter where (globalvacancies.org) you saw this job posting.

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