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Social Secretary And Residence Director

The British Embassy in Washington is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Social Secretary and Residence Director, responsible for the strategic leadership, management and delivery of the Ambassador's representational programme and the operation of the British Ambassador's Residence.

The Residence is one of Washington's premier diplomatic venues, hosting thousands of guests annually, including members of the Royal Family, senior Ministers, Members of Congress, Administration officials, business leaders, cultural figures and international partners. The role is central to ensuring that the Residence and its activities support UK Government objectives and strengthen the UK's relationship with the United States.

Working directly with the Ambassador, Chief of Staff, Executive Office and senior Embassy leadership, the postholder will provide leadership, direction and oversight across the Embassy's social engagement, visits, events and Residence operations functions, including line management of designated team leads as confirmed under the agreed operating model. They will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering a seamless programme of hospitality, official visits and stakeholder engagement while ensuring the Residence remains a showcase for British excellence.

The successful candidate will combine strong leadership, stakeholder management, operational oversight and strategic thinking to ensure representational activities deliver measurable diplomatic impact, value for money and the highest standards of professionalism.

On-site accommodation is offered in recognition of the sometimes irregular hours this role entails. 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 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility that enables people to better maintain wellbeing through an excellent work/life balance.

Roles and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Representation

• Advise the Ambassador and senior leadership on representational priorities, engagement opportunities and stakeholder management.
• Develop and deliver an annual programme of Residence activity, hospitality and engagement aligned to Mission objectives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen relationships across government, politics, business, academia, culture and civil society.
• Act as the Embassy's senior lead for representational activity, ensuring that events, visits and hospitality support UK Government priorities.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.

Social Secretary Function

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the Ambassador's official social engagements.
• Oversee management of the Residence calendar and annual programme of events.
• Build and maintain senior networks and relationships across Washington and beyond.
• Ensure representational opportunities are maximised to support diplomatic, political, commercial and public diplomacy objectives.
• Provide advice to the Ambassador and spouse on social engagement and stakeholder development opportunities.

Residence Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for the operation of the Ambassador and DHM's Residences.
• Ensure the Residences are maintained and operated to the highest standards of hospitality, presentation, security and professionalism.
• Oversee Residence budgets, inventories, assets and procurement activity.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial, health and safety, security and safeguarding requirements.
• Promote the Ambassador's Residence as a premier venue for diplomatic engagement and UK influence.

Oversight of Visits and Events

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the Embassy's visits and events programmes.
• Ensure effective planning and delivery of Ministerial, Parliamentary, Royal and official visits.
• Ensure Embassy high level events, receptions, conferences and representational activities are delivered to the highest standard.
• Resolve competing priorities and allocate resources across visits, events and Residence activity.
• Ensure coordination between all teams involved in delivering representational programmes.

Financial and Commercial Management

• Lead financial oversight of Residence operations and representational budgets.
• Ensure effective procurement, contract management and value for money.
• Oversee relationships with suppliers, contractors and hospitality partners.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure compliance with Embassy and FCDO financial procedures.

People Leadership

• Provide leadership and direction across the Residence operations, events, visits and social secretary functions, ensuring teams work together effectively to deliver a coherent programme of representational activity.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Role-model the behaviours and values expected across the Embassy, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, teamwork, mutual respect and shared accountability.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning and capability development.
• Promote continuous improvement, accountability and service excellence.

Will provide leadership and direction across the visits, events, Residence operations and social secretary functions. Specific direct reporting lines will be confirmed as part of the final operating model.

Wider Oversight:

• Casual and Temporary Event Staff
• Contractors and Suppliers

Budgets and Assets:

• Residence Operating Budget
• Hospitality and Representational Budgets
• Event Delivery Budgets

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience leading high-profile stakeholder engagement or hospitality operations or a comparable senior service-delivery function.
• Proven ability to build, maintain and use senior networks and relationships to support representational, diplomatic, political, commercial and public diplomacy objectives.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience setting direction, developing staff and building inclusive, high-performing teams.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to high standards of service, presentation, guest experience and continuous improvement.
• Excellent judgement, discretion and diplomacy, including the ability to work confidently with senior leaders, VIP guests and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to advise senior stakeholders clearly and professionally.
• Experience managing budgets, suppliers, procurement or operational resources, with a focus on value for money and compliance.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and relevant planning, contact management or events systems.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience working in a diplomatic, government, or international organization setting.
• Knowledge of Washington stakeholder networks across government, politics, business, culture, academia or civil society.
• Experience using Salesforce or a comparable customer/contact relationship management system.
• Experience overseeing representational budgets, sponsorship, income generation or cost recovery.

Required Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Grade

Grade 7 (G7)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working Hours Per Week

40

Location

British Embassy Washington

Salary

$119,850 USD annual

Start Date

19 October 2026

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

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 4