Political and Communications Officer - British Consulate General Houston

The British Government’s Consulate in Houston is offering an exciting opportunity to join the Political Team as a Political and Communications Officer. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US - contributing to work shaping international diplomacy to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique, career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package- including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top-tier 401(k) programme, and access to world-class learning and development resources.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work-life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.

In this role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices—comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

As the Political and Communications Officer, you will play an important role in strengthening collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United States on key political and communications issues. Working within the Consulate’s Political Section, you will engage closely with internal partners such as the Consul General, political teams in Washington, D.C., colleagues across the wider US Network, and policy teams in London. You will also work with external partners including state legislators, staffers, journalists and policy leaders. Your work will directly support the United Kingdom’s strategic objectives in deepening the bilateral relationship and will offer valuable experience in international engagement and cooperation across government. You will provide support on our social media campaigns including coming up with creative ideas to deliver UK Government messages.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive, and confident professional with recent knowledge of, or experience working in, state level politics. You will bring strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to build and maintain effective networks, and a proactive approach to identifying insights and opportunities that advance the UK’s priorities.

Roles and responsibilities

Communications (Digital and Press) (60%)

• Deliver the day-to-day management of the Consulate's social media accounts (Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn) delivering high-quality and engaging content aligned with agreed communications priorities. Routinely update social media platforms and the Consulate website.
• Support the development and delivery of communications campaigns and strategies, contributing creative ideas and content in line with agreed messaging and priorities. Proactively identify opportunities to amplify Consulate activity and support UK Government messaging, liaising with colleagues and external stakeholders where appropriate.
• Deliver consistent and impactful public communications across the full range of Consulate priorities, including regular reporting on content performance, social media analytics, and media impact. Assess impact of social media activities (key performance indicators, monitoring visitor statistics, reach, engagement, followers’ growth, etc.) and use this to suggest areas for improvement.
• Support visits programmes including high level ministers, developing communications content and media plans in line with UK priorities.
• Work with communications teams across the British Government’s US network to gather and share content and communications ideas.
• Support the Head of Political, Press and Public Affairs with press monitoring, drafting press materials, coordinating media engagements, and assisting with media enquiries.

Political Engagement (40%)

• Engage with political stakeholders across the Consulate’s five-state region, particularly with state-level legislators and their offices. This will sometimes require out-of-state travel.
• Identify political developments across the patch which may be of interest to policy makers in DC and London and provide accurate, insightful, and timely written reporting.
• Working under the direction of the Head of Political, Press and Public Affairs, and in collaboration with the Global Issues Officer to support delivery of political engagement activity for the Consul General.
• Act as notetaker during political engagements.

*These percentages are indicative and may shift over time depending on team priorities and organizational needs.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Good understanding of state-level politics in the central-southern US.
• Understanding and interest in British politics and culture.
• Confidence engaging with external stakeholders and building effective professional relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting for digital, policy, and media audiences.
• Experience using social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, X and Facebook in a professional context.
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application. Please note this position is ineligible for visa sponsorship.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience managing social media platforms professionally, including data analytics.
• Recent experience working in an office of an elected official.
• Experience supporting/coordinating visits and events.

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.

Other benefits

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.

Working patterns

This role is full-time at 40 hours per week. Please note some out of hours work (e.g. evening events) and travel (mostly domestic) will be required in this role.

The deadline for applications is 23:55 CDT on 3 June 2026.

Job Category

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory

Communications, Press and Media

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

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)

Houston

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies

1

Salary

USD $62,640 per year

Start Date

27 July 2026