Main Purpose of Job:

The British Government’s Consulate in San Francisco is offering an exciting opportunity to join the UK Global Talent Taskforce and Department for Business Team as Chief Innovation and Talent Officer.

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.

Are you ready to make a transformative impact on the UK’s economic future? We are seeking a visionary leader for the position of Chief Innovation and Talent Officer (US)—a truly unique and high-profile role at the heart of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy.

Based in San Francisco, you’ll work with colleagues across the US Network, British Embassy Washington and the UK Global Talent Taskforce (GTT) – a shared unit between No10 and the Department for Business. This is your chance to spearhead the identification and engagement of exceptional US talent across a range of dynamic industrial sectors. You will be instrumental in building an influential network of the brightest thinkers, pioneering founders, inspirational leaders, and innovative entrepreneurs, shaping the UK’s reputation as the world’s most attractive destination for top talent.

If you are motivated by the prospect of connecting extraordinary people and enabling their success in the UK, while influencing strategic industries and delivering meaningful outcomes, this role offers a rare platform to create lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the delivery of the UK Global Talent Taskforce’s international engagement in the USA by identifying, engaging and supporting key individuals who are seeking to expand their interests in the UK, ensuring they have a clear pathway to deepen their commercial, personal or investment footprint via the GTT’s bespoke, account management function.
Actively convene senior leaders (Including the British Ambassador, Consuls General, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioners (HMTC) and Deputy Heads of Mission) to define, refine and execute GTT strategy.
Work closely with colleagues across the Consulate in San Francisco, to unlock mutually beneficial engagement. This role will report directly to the Consul General in San Francisco and will be expected to work closely with other senior leaders including the Tech Director.
Chair a cross-government North America Talent Steering Group (Department for Business and Trade; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; and the GREAT Campaign) to ensure coherence of UK messaging, barriers resolution, and alignment on priority individuals.
Represent ‘Team UK’ at high-profile talent engagements, deputising for the GTT’s Deputy Director and deliver bespoke engagements in market, including panel discussions, VIP roundtables, major industry and academic gatherings, and investment-focused events.
Report key intelligence and leads back into the UK HQ team to support the development and refinement of the GTT offer. This includes utilising existing partnerships and events to refer key individuals into the GTT pipeline.

Deliverables (12 months):

1. Build and operationalise a high-value US talent pipeline for the GTT.

Establish and manage a strategic network of top founders, technologists, life sciences leaders, and clean energy innovators across priority US regions (San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Austin, Miami and LA).
This includes identifying at least 200 elite individuals – founders, C-Suite business leaders and world-leading academics or researchers – with strong UK interest conducting ongoing engagement, and mapping tailored pathways for reach resulting in tangible outcomes in the UK. Successful outcomes include more time spent in the UK, increased investment into the UK (including office openings or expansion of footprint) and / or relocation.

2. Deliver end-to-end GTT international engagement activity in-country.

Lead the delivery of the GTT engagement function by designing and executing bespoke account management support for high-profile individuals considering UK expansion.
This includes producing structured engagement plans for senior HMG ministers or officials to lead and updating GTT HQ on any policy barriers. This also includes coordinating and delivering at least 8 talent events (2 per quarter) and supporting at least 50 bilateral talent engagements for senior HMG ministers or officials.
The post-holder will be expected to advise on briefings, facilitating introductions, ensuring robust follow-up with key connections, and reporting outcomes to His Majesty’s Ambassador, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner and GTT HQ.
Equip colleagues across the North America network with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to actively champion the GTT’s objectives, including delivering targeted briefings, developing playbooks, and embedding consistent messaging so teams can identify high potential individuals and opportunities in their own markets.

3. Strengthen UK position overseas through pro-active promotion and high-profile representation, supporting at least 3 His Majesty's Government comms campaigns annually.

Represent ‘team UK’ at major US ecosystem events alongside senior UK leaders. This includes designing a forward look of key engagements HMG should be present at, including industry gathering, academic summits, investor roundtables, VIP/VVIP engagements and finding comms and marketing opportunities to promote consistent UK messaging and high-quality follow up.
The post-holder will manage a set programme budget for engagements in market; however will also be expected to work in partnership with private sector partners to secure sponsorship for events. Final budget for FY 2026/27 is to be determined.
Influence should be tracked through opportunities and insights generated with UK brand-building outcomes, reported quarterly.

4. Produce a comprehensive annual report, and shorter monthly reports, on progress with actionable intelligence and insights to shape UK policy for the GTH and GTT strategy.

Lead the identification of structural obstacles (visa bottlenecks, regulatory challenges, research collaboration barriers) and work with GTT HQ to develop solutions or pilots improving the UK’s attractiveness to top global talent.
Regular reporting on high-quality intelligence - from conversations with founders, investor sentiment, global mobility trends, US strategies to support refinement of the GTT offer.

Provide recommendations and develop deep partnerships with influential US institutions - top VCs, accelerators, universities, major tech companies, philanthropic bodies - to create long term pipelines of exceptional individuals into the UK.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

A strong motivation to deliver UK Government growth priorities and the objectives of the Global Talent Taskforce.
Have an established network of GTT’s target audience/ partner organisations.
Proven experience of delivering high-end events for GTT’s target audience (entrepreneurs, HNWI, researchers etc).
Experience of working in a virtual team – evidence of autonomy and self-motivation to deliver but collegiate in your approach.
Proven experience of working with senior stakeholders e.g. CEOs and ministers.
Experience working in or alongside startups, scale-ups or the wider innovation ecosystem, with an understanding of what high-growth businesses and influential individuals seek from government engagement.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, concise material and present confidently and influence senior audiences.
Experience building effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Experience of strategic delivery of key projects, or policies across the region.
The ability to confidently and credibly represent the UK’s brand, values and economic ambition in high-profile settings.
A friendly, open-minded and proactive approach to networking, with the ability to build trust quickly with influential stakeholders.
Ability to travel regionally and within the USA
Fluency in the English Language
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office 365

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

27 April 2026

Grade

Grade 6 (G6)

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

Location (City)

San Francisco

Type of Post

British Consulate General

Number of vacancies

Salary

$166,947 gross per annum

Start Date

15 June 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

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.

Benefits

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.

Department for Business and Trade

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