JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Defence Digital Lead

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

Job Subcategory

Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main purpose of job:
The UK Government seeks a highly motivated lead for the “UK in USA Defence” social media to join our dynamic team at the British Embassy in Washington DC. In this role you will work at the forefront of international diplomacy and security, communicating the work of the UK Armed Forces to audiences across the United States.

Around 2,000 British personnel are stationed in the US. Our soldiers, sailors, aviators, civil servants and contractors in the US work closely with their US counterparts, as well as with the Administration, NATO, the Pentagon, the UN, industry, and think tanks.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of social media, creating content for different audiences with attention to detail and often short deadlines. You will be adapting messages and choosing the best content types (graphics, videos, photos) for your intended audience. You should also have some experience in photography, videography, graphic design and editing. However, you will work alongside a full-time content creator in the team and have access to a broad library of Defence photo and videos. An understanding of or prior experience in Defence is advantageous, but can also be learnt in the role.

Be at the forefront of global affairs
The role is employed and managed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), embedded in a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) team at the embassy in Washington. You will work closely with both FCDO and MOD staff both within the embassy and, virtually, with teams around the United States and in the UK. You will be managing stakeholders to create content that both achieves our organisational goals and boosts engagement on our channels.

Make a significant impact
As a key part of the communications team, and reporting to the Head of Digital, you will lead the UK arm of Defence social media in the United States. This involves posting to Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, and delivering impactful content that communicates the UK Government’s key priorities to a US audience. You will be an active member of the wider communications team based in Washington DC and help guide the wider US network of consulates around the country, to deliver excellent Defence digital communications.

You will need to create and deliver imaginative content that fits the UK Government’s wider priorities, often working at pace. The content will be both short and long form, and will run to short or long-term deadlines. You will contribute to shaping the UK”s Defence image in the United States. You will be asked to work closely with senior members of the UK Government including the UK Ambassador, visiting UK Government ministers and senior members of the Ministry of Defence.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Create and deliver digital content, covering all social media platforms to engage US audiences on key UK security issues, highlighting the work of UK personnel posted overseas.
• Working with comms and policy colleagues to develop imaginative, innovative and high impact ideas.
• Advise on Defence digital communications for His Majesty’s Ambassador and senior officials in the British Embassy in Washington, the US Network of Consulates and visiting UK military officials
• Work with other members of the communications and policy teams to draft engaging social media copy tailored to different channels and audiences.
• Lead and build the Embassy’s engagement with the external digital community, including with military counterparts in the US and other Embassies, social media companies, partner organisations and influencers.
• Provide regular monitoring and evaluation reports to measure Defence social media performance and identify improvements.
• Support Defence events and receptions, often with VIP guests. Some of this work will be out of working hours.
• Support the wider digital team as required, covering leave and helping during busy periods.
• This is a hands-on role that requires in-person working, based in DC.
• Any other duties as assigned. The role will involve supporting events and other work outside of working hours (for which you will be compensated).

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Essential on arrival:

• Experience of managing social media platforms, including developing channel strategies, audience profiling and community building.
• Experience developing and delivering strategic campaigns to advance policy or other formal objectives.
• Experience of using data analytics to evaluate performance of social media channels and campaigns
• Excellent writing skills with exceptional spelling, grammar, punctuation, and knowledge of how to write for the web and social media.
• Some understanding of video filming and production.
• Some understanding of producing and editing photography and visual media for social media, or a strong willingness to learn.
• Experience working within a large organisation’s brand guidelines and codes of conduct.

Level of language required: Expert in English

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Desirable:

• Experience of working with/for government bodies or the public sector.
• Experience managing digital storage and archiving

Required behaviours

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline

6 October 2025

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

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

$66,497

Type of Salary

yearly

Start Date

24 November 2025

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.

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 6 October 2025

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

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements