BDSUS Visits and Events Officer - British Embassy Washington

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for an organised and attentive person to join the British Defence Staff US Visit and Events Team as a Visits and Events 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 defence diplomacy.   

The US Network offers a unique career-enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages, and a highly competitive 401(k) programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment – both alongside and in support of UK diplomats, armed forces personnel, and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.   

The Visits and Events Officer is one of two full-time roles reporting to the Head of Visits and Events supporting the British Defence Staff with all senior visits to Washington DC for the Ministry of Defence. This includes UK Government Ministers, Parliamentary Committees, former Prime Ministers, Members of the Royal Family, senior members of the military, and senior ranking officials.

On events, this role delivers the annual flagship events of the British Defence Staff in the US and supports the single services in delivery of smaller functions throughout the year. The position offers unique exposure to UK and US Government leaders and procedures. The successful candidate should be organised, attentive, flexible, and a team player, as these skills are required to arrange and deliver senior visits and major events in the Embassy.

Roles and responsibilities

• Deliver on all organisational and logistical aspects of individual visits including scheduling meetings, arranging transportation and accommodation, coordinating security clearances, and more.
• Accompany visitors, meet and greet visitors on arrival at airports or otherwise, and accompany their departure (this involves occasional work in the evenings or weekends).
• Work with hotels, airlines, transport companies and other vendors.
• Arrange security clearances for visiting Protection Officers, diplomatic overflight clearances, and port clearances for VIPs.
• Produce and maintain the Visits Section databases (e.g., statistical reports, clearance details).
• Collaborate with both internal and external partners in delivery of major events such as the British Defence Staff’s Annual Defence Reception at the Embassy.
• Support military colleagues in execution of single service annual events.
• Arrange payment of invoices.
• Provide administrative support to the team, including filing electronic and paper visits documents.
• Other duties as assigned.

Please note: Flexibility on working hours is required in this role, as the position can require overtime, evening and/or weekend hours (with schedules to be adjusted as appropriate). Vacation and leave must be co-ordinated with others in the section and may not always be possible during busy periods.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• A minimum of 2 years' relevant experience in a busy office environment is required (internships OK). A previous role in meeting and event planning, logistics and/or executive assistance is preferred.
• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to be professional, confident, courteous, and deal with interlocutors at senior level.
• Strong independent judgement, excellent organisational skills, proactivity and the ability to multi-task and strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent customer service skills, with proven ability to take responsibility and exercise considerable discretion.
• Ability to complete administrative tasks and manage databases.
• Excellent attention to detail and time management.
• Legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.
• Due to security requirements, candidates must hold one (or more) of the following passports: US, UK, Canada, Australia and/or New Zealand.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Previous experience dealing with VIPs is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the British civil service, British culture and protocol, Congress and US Administration.
• Previous experience working for a similar organisation.

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

Under 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 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.  

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.

Working patterns

This role is in-person and full-time at 40 hours a week, with core working hours between 10am and 4pm. Remaining hours are to be met outside this core time frame. The successful candidate will be expected to be flexible to business need, as out of hours work will be required (ex. supporting on evening and weekend events).

The deadline for applications is 23:55 EDT on 26 June 2025.

Additional information  

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.

Job Category  

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

Job Subcategory  

MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Required behaviours  

Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Application deadline  

26 June 2025

Grade  

Administrative Officer (AO)

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  

USD $25.79 per hour

Start Date  

25 August 2025