Background:
The British Consulate-General in Los Angeles represents UK interests in Southern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and Hawai’i in such areas as trade and investment, science and innovation, press and public affairs and supporting British people in difficulty. Further information about the British Government’s US network can be found on www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk.

The Head of Press and Public Affairs (PPA) supports the head of the office (the Consul-General) by acting as the office’s spokesperson; building relationships with all forms of media so as to gain coverage for the office’s work and for wider messages about the UK’s policy and reputation; ensuring a vibrant digital presence; and helping teams across the office to gain maximum public resonance for their work and to use public channels to achieve influence. The jobholder will also cover some government relations duties, building relationships with decision-makers and opinion-formers around the region on behalf of the UK and overseeing the organisation of visits to the region by British Ministers and other VIPs, including through the direct management of one more junior member of staff. The Los Angeles PPA team is part of a network of similar teams in our offices around the US and in the Embassy working to a shared strategy led by the Embassy, as well as fulfilling the local requirements of the Consulate-General.

The successful applicant will report directly to the Deputy Consul-General. The Head of PPA will take responsibility for establishing and delivering day to day priorities, creating and managing projects and budgets, building appropriate contacts across the region, and team performance management (one PPA officer and interns). A flexible, creative and entrepreneurial approach is essential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support the Consul-General in implementing the post’s PPA strategy including planning, coordinating and delivering in line with priorities set out in the US Network Communication Strategy agreed by the Washington Embassy;

Media handling on specific policy areas, which could include economic issues, military issues, the Middle East, climate change, etc., working closely with the Embassy’s policy advisors;

Build relationships with key journalists, arranging briefings and interviews; in some cases acting as the media spokesperson for the UK in the area;

Develop close links with contacts, in support of the CG, for example state and local administrations, political and economic commentators, academic institutions and their senior management and faculty, captains of industry and non-profit institutions;

Monitor regional developments and provide some political and economic reporting where appropriate, drawing on personal contacts to add value to publicly available material;

Lead effective delivery of visits, and oversee administration of the regional Marshalls Scholarship Programme selection process (UK funded scholarship programme);

Coordinate, mentor and supervise the core PPA team as well as working with the wider Consulate team to deliver high impact media work, digital diplomacy (i.e. websites and social media) and other key PPA services, and contribute to the wider US PPA network as a senior member of the network’s leadership;

Work closely with the PPA team based in San Francisco to ensure a unified approach to California and the surrounding states which makes the most of the talents and skills of all team members, pooling resources and working across offices as appropriate. In practice the San Francisco office does a greater proportion of relationship management with California State government (particularly in Sacramento) and reporting on political and economic issues, with the Los Angeles post more focused on leading communication and media work.

Minimum Qualifications/Experience:

Three to five years related experience; sound and in depth knowledge of the political and economic make-up of the region;

Track record of successful delivery of projects through co-ordinating work of diverse teams, including at a distance and with external organisations, making creative use of opportunities, resources and technology;

Experience working in the media, both traditional and web-based; ability to build and use strong media relationships; experience in acting as a media spokesperson and designing and delivering proactive publicity activities to advance policy or other objectives;

Knowledge of the UK Government’s work and objectives in the United States, and the priorities of the UK Government in London, is desirable but not essential;

Reliable, capable under pressure, an excellent communicator orally and in writing, and with a good understanding of the challenges and sensitivities of working in the world of government and diplomacy.

The successful candidate must be prepared to travel through the region, and make occasional longer trips, including to the UK.

Under US State Department requirements, the Embassy may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A Visa holders. If you hold a Visa other than an A Visa you are not currently eligible to work for the Embassy. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

The British Embassy Network offers a competitive salary and a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

The target salary for this position is $60,000 annualized. Salary will be confirmed upon offer of employment.

To Apply:
Resume and a cover letter with salary history should be submitted in a .doc (word) file format by 22 December 2011to careers@fco.gov.uk. Please note in the subject line of your email “BCG Los Angeles Head of PPA”. Internal candidates should address their resumes through their Head of Group before applying. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

The British Embassy is an equal opportunity employer,
dedicated to a diverse workforce.
EOE/M/F/D/V

• Location: British Consulate-General
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