Head of Business & Trade Communications and Media (m/w/d)

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
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory
Commercial Diplomacy

The British Embassy in Berlin is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The UK's Department for Business & Trade (DBT) is now looking for a Head of Business & Trade Communications and Media to join our team based at the British Embassy in Berlin.

DBT's mission in Germany is to strengthen the trade and investment relationship between the UK and Germany. With dramatic changes taking place in the global trading environment, this has never been more important – and trade has never been a bigger media story.

We improve market access for businesses, champion free and fair trade, and encourage flourishing relationships between business in the UK and Germany. This supports millions of jobs, drives economic growth, raises wages and improves living standard across the globe, whilst at the same time promoting wider goals like tackling climate change and improving economic security.

We aim to be a diverse and inclusive employer, welcoming to people of all backgrounds. The senior leadership is committed to ensuring that we are a supportive and fair place to work.

Main purpose of job:

Are you a strategic and creative thinker who is passionate about making a difference? Would you like to make an impact in a fast-moving, high-profile international environment?

As Head of Business & Trade Communications and Media, this position will play a crucial role delivering our communications strategy. You will develop clear strategic messaging and energise our stakeholder network and audience engagement through impactful campaigns. These will be delivered through strategic partnerships with business/multipliers and engagement with mainstream media and the economic and trade press.

You will work closely with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office colleagues and teams from across government to communicate UK messages across a range of different areas, from AI breakthroughs to the energy transition to Europe's commitments on defence. As such, this role offers plenty of scope for development, creativity, and building contact networks.

Your work will be varied and demanding - you will need to be proactive, a committed self-starter and strategist, with the ability to bring different priorities and objectives together into a coherent narrative. You will bring with you several years' of professional communications/media experience, with proven ability to create and drive content, including writing articles and op-eds. The ideal candidate will have experience planning and delivering impactful digital content and campaigns. You will be expected to develop an understanding of the broader operating context in the UK and Germany (media, bilateral, economic, political), using insight and evaluation to understand relevant audiences, identify opportunities and messaging, and to develop, implement and evaluate campaign plans.

Aufgaben

1. Campaign Strategy & Delivery:

• Work closely with senior leadership to shape, plan and deliver a campaign strategy to promote the UK-Germany economic relationship in support of DBT Europe objectives;
• Actively build relationships with teams across the Germany Network and in the UK to shape a joined-up communications narrative, working closely together with the Embassy's communications team and the DBT Europe Comms Network.

2. Strategic Communications & Content:

• Provide high-level strategic communications advice to the Ambassador and other senior officials and visiting Ministers, in line with priority campaigns, including briefing, interviews, speeches;
• Create up-to-date and compelling content, including writing articles, op-eds, and digital content. Support and guide subject matter expert colleagues with industry-specific digital and social media content.
• Ensure a pipeline of key messages, success stories and focal points for activity / milestones across priority campaigns.

3. Engagement:

• Lead internal capacity building for colleagues on communications and campaign best practice;
• Develop strategic partnerships and maintain a network of contacts in business and media to maximise the impact of UK messaging. This might include journalists, policy and comms officials in industry or think tanks, and other multipliers and partners.

Profil

• Our Ideal Candidates shows:

• Proficiency in English and German (both written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• 5+ years professional communications experience and a strong understanding of German media/wider communications environment;
• Degree and/or professional background in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Economics/Business;
• Strong digital content skills;
• Ability to effectively and credibly engage with stakeholders, including the ability to communicate effectively at the most senior level of government, business, media;
• Excellent writing skills, to provide clear, concise briefing and proven ability to draft articles and op-eds;
• Evidence of strong relationship and account management skills and a demonstrated ability to think strategically;
• Demonstrable leadership skills and the ability to take the initiative and to drive forward delivery of objectives across a team;
• Commitment to being part of a diverse and engaged team: all staff are expected to contribute to the wider objectives of the British Government's Germany Network and to support the Embassy's positive working environment.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• An existing network in or experience of working with the German economic/trade press;
• An interest in international relations, trade and investment;
• Familiarity with the UK business environment and/or the UK's investment and export proposition, including policy, market trends and developments.

Wir bieten

This is a full time, fixed-term 2 year contract with the possibility of a permanent contract subject to performance and funding. Salary €85,284.- rising to a maximum of approx. €95,800.- gross per annum after a qualifying period in addition to performance related pay (salary is not negotiable).

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance. The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation in Germany in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local German employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Germany and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Equal employment

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe and the FCDO Germany Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Learning & Development

The British Embassy in Berlin has a strong ethos of Learning and Development, including our Learning and Development Week. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend external seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all Embassy staff.

The Embassy offers learning and development opportunities throughout the year and invites you to join committee led forums where you may have an interest and can help shape the organisations objectives.

The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government's Germany network and supporting the Embassy's positive working environment.

The Germany Network and DBT is a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:

• Much scope for personal and professional development: excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching and dedicated Learning and Development days;
• Opportunities to take on ownership and responsibility;
• An equal, diverse and engaged workplace;
• Work-life balance;
• Flexible working;
• National and international remote working policy - Up to 30 days working remotely from a third location, subject to business and operational requirements;
• Performance related bonus.

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