The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for a driven person to join our high performing Communications Team as a Press Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

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

In response to a changing America, the Communications 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.

The successful candidate will support on a wide range of day-to-day press activity, working with a busy, motivated and experienced communications team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, quick-learner to embrace the unique opportunities provided within the role.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Lead on journalist press accreditation for the British Embassy
• Coordinate media briefings, press team events and meetings
• Proactively seeking communications opportunities and media moments
• Seek opportunities to improve media monitoring services provided to embassy and US network
• On occasion, provide out of hours press support for which overtime or Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) will be provided

Roles and responsibilities:

• Monitor media and news trends - both manually and with the help of AI tools - sharing news coverage within the embassy and US network on key issues of interest to the UK-US relationship, with written media coverage summaries as requested. (40%)
• Manage press team databases, subscription lists, media lists, and media monitoring distribution lists and support on monitoring and planning forward-looking activity (20%)
• Support the Head of Communications and Head of News on Newsteam activity including the embassy’s engagement with US media outlets and journalists (20%)
• Lead on day-to-day press activities and provide administrative support for public affairs and press events. (20%)
• These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organizational needs.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Proven ability to complete multiple tasks and high volume of work on deadline in a fast-paced work environment
• Proactive communicator
• Attention to detail and ability to edit and proofread
• Demonstrated ability to take control and follow through on assigned tasks with limited supervision

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software and AI platforms such as Microsoft Co-Pilot and Claude
• Previous experience in a Comms related role is desirable but not essential

Required behaviours

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

Application deadline: 14 June 2026

Full-time, Permanent

Location British Embassy Washington

Salary $26.56 (hourly)

Start Date 3 August 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

Eligibility

You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

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.

Learning and Development

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.

Unique Tax Rules

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.

Additional information

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 14th June 2026

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.