Executive Assistant To The Consul General

Main purpose of job:

This role will support the Consul General in his efforts to build political relationships and promote trade and investment links and academic collaborations between these states and the United Kingdom.

The candidate will be exposed to and develop relationships with senior political, business and academic leaders. This person will utilize key analytical skills and be at the centre of the work of this high profile and busy diplomatic mission. This position will involve administrative duties, but will also develop initiative, strategy and policy.

Roles and responsibilities:

Support to the Consul-General

Manage the CG’s diary and inbox, prioritize inquiries, invitations and delegate work /seek answers on his behalf. Secure timely briefings and prepare speeches and presentations. Maintain the CG’s contact database and other records. Accompany the CG to important meetings, document, identify action points and ensure follow up.

Strategic Calendar Management

Liaise across the Consulate, develop and maintain a strategic engagement programme for key meetings and travel, advise the CG on who he should meet and why.

Strategic Contact Management

Consult the wider team, identify priority contacts across the region to deliver the strategic engagement programme, set up meetings and regional visits, ensure timely follow up and continuing relationship management by the CG;

Event Management

Organise formal events at the CG’s Official Residence; negotiate with suppliers and caterers and manage invitations. Attend events and support the CG in developing contacts.

Administrative Support

Offer administrative support to the CG; completing claims, making travel bookings, etc. Support the Corporate Services team with requisitions and receipts of goods and services. Maintain supplier accounts by completing or amending supplier maintenance forms and creating purchase requisitions / orders. Offer first line IT support (training provided – complex problems are managed by a central helpdesk).

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

This role will manage the Consul General’s diary, travel arrangements and external and internal events at the Official Residence, as well as other venues. Valid driving license and ability to drive to events is necessary.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels
• Excellent problem solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills - a team player with the ability to work with others and integrate fully into a wider network
• A record of academic achievement or previous professional experience relevant to the work of a diplomatic mission
• High school diploma or equivalent, or 2-3 years’ experience in an administrative role or diplomatic environment
• I.T. competency
• Valid driving license and ability to drive to events is necessary.

Candidate MUST hold one of the following passports: UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

• A strong interest in politics, international affairs and/or international trade
• College degree or equivalent experience

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.

Candidate MUST hold one of the following passports: UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.

Working patterns:

We encourage flexible working, but this position does need to interact with all other departments in the Consulate, as well as other Consulates in the U.S. network. Therefore, the successful candidate will spend a good amount of time in the Houston office, building and maintaining relationships.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• Project Management
• Networking (CSL)
• Communications (CSL)
• ITSO Training (provided)
• Various conferences, including Sidekicks and Residence Manager
• Opportunities to develop policy and communication skills in an international context

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.