Head of South India and Growth Communications

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  

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)

Job Subcategory  

Communications, Press and Media

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Main purpose of job:

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced communications professional to lead communications for the British Deputy High Commission in Bangalore, representing the UK diplomatic presence across the south of India and functioning as a senior leader for the wider India Communications Network. 

The Head of South India Communications will be responsible for a team covering the full breadth of communications disciplines, from media to digital, campaigns, internal and events. They will be using communications to promote the work of the Deputy High Commission in Bangalore and beyond, including working with our posts in Chennai and Hyderabad. The successful candidate will also be responsible for network communications in Mumbai, remotely manage two communications officers based there.

This role is based in Bangalore but joins the Press and Communications network at the British High Commission, which provides an intimate yet fast-paced work environment. The successful candidate will work closely with the Deputy High Commissioner (also Deputy Trade Commissioner) as their senior communications advisor, and the Deputy High Commission’s senior leadership team, supporting their own communications. 

As part of the wider communications network, they will work to the Communications Counsellor based in New Delhi. Part of the role requirements includes a pan-India responsibility, driving strategic communications on the UK government’s priority growth agenda. 

The role requires exceptional inter-personal and proven leadership skills, ideally in organisations spanning multiple locations. They will function as the senior comms official for the south in the wider network, and will join the communications network team leaders group, holding collective responsibility for the whole-of-network strategy. 

In Bangalore, you will lead a newly-formed communications team of three, once recruited, covering the entire south region. The team will be accountable to the communications team from the British High Commission, New Delhi.

You will also manage two communications officers based in Mumbai. The individual may also be required to travel across South India on occasion to support delivery of major communications moments. They may also be required to undertake occasional travel to New Delhi and Mumbai.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

1.    UK in South India communications leadership (40%):

You will be a senior leader at post, providing direct local leadership to a communications team responsible for activity across 7 posts in the south and west. The team will deliver digital communications, media, internal communications, campaigns and events. 

2.    Communications Advisor to senior representatives (20%):

You will be the senior communications advisor for our Deputy High Commissioner and Deputy Trade Commissioner based in Bangalore, as well as their immediate senior leadership team at post. You will also be the first point of contact for leaders in Chennai and Hyderabad. Alongside promoting the UK in South India, you will be responsible for building the profile of our senior leaders in the south.

3.    Strategic Communications - Growth (30%):

You will chair the cross-departmental working group on strategic communications for the priority growth pillar of the network. Collectively, the group will have responsibility for writing and implementing the plan, which is a pan-India role, and will have representatives from across our posts. You will be responsible therefore for bringing together experienced, senior communications officials in the network, with the aim of delivering one collaborative and strategic growth communications plan.  You will also hold responsibility for delivery and implementation of the communications plan.

4.    Leadership, engagement and network collaboration (5%):

Bangalore is the UK’s key post in the South but of course dispersed from Delhi as the centre. You’ll play a key role in supporting corporate objectives and team morale whilst remaining a key link through formal line management chains into both Mumbai and Delhi hubs, a rare position to be in across the network. As a senior leader at post, you will hold a key role in the posts’ corporate leadership and welfare. 

5.    Learning and Development (5%):  

We take learning and development seriously and support staff to develop their skills further, where it is relevant to their role, and supports the organisation.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

Responsible for comms budget across whole of south India. 

Line management responsibility to 1xHEO; 3xEOs.

Learning and development opportunities:

Leadership responsibility as a senior leader in the southern network, and a team leader in the communications network. Accountable to the Deputy High Commissioner (SCS1) and Communications Counsellor (G6).  

Everyone in the team leaders grouping is at minimum SEO. This role reflects parity for the representation of the south. 

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Five to ten years of professional experience in communications, media, public relations or strategic campaigns, including experience operating at a senior level in a complex organisation.
• Proven experience of leading and developing a communications team, setting priorities and assuring the quality of its work.
• Experience of developing and delivering audience-focused communications strategies or campaigns across media, digital and stakeholder channels.
• Proven ability to provide clear and confident communications advice to senior leaders, including on opportunities, risks and reputational issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the judgement to produce and quality-assure accurate, compelling and sensitive material.
• Strong stakeholder-management skills, with experience of bringing together different teams or organisations to agree priorities and deliver shared objectives.

Language Requirements:

• Language: English – Expert; Vernacular languages ( At least one from Kannada, Telugu and Tamil) – proficient.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Experience of working in India, South Asia or another large and complex communications environment.
• Experience of international communications, public diplomacy, government communications or using communications to support wider policy or commercial objectives.
• Experience of managing geographically dispersed staff or coordinating communications delivery across multiple locations.
• Proficiency in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil or another relevant Indian language.

Required behaviours  

Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others, Leadership, Working Together

Application deadline  

14 October 2026

Grade  

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Type of Position  

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week  

40

Region  

South Asia & Afghanistan

Country/Territory  

India

Location (City)  

Bangalore

Type of Post  

British High Commission

Number of vacancies  

1

Salary Currency  

INR

Salary  

INR 178,720 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation

Type of Salary  

monthly

Start Date  

15 December 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

For British High Commission candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC Candidates, salary will be all-inclusive of INR 178,720 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation.

Additionally, the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family which includes self, spouse/partner and children up to an age of 23 years and irrespective of age, only if with, physical or mental disability.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. FCDO does not pay for any travelling, accommodation & relocation expenses incurred and/or accept any financial risk, including cancellation or reschedule costs

Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g., some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.    

FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

Around half of our work forces are women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

Additional information  

Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment, educational details, behavioural and technical/ professional skills questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only with all the required details and the shortlisting is not basis CV/ cover letter. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders will need have, or be able to obtain, a valid special work permit issued from Government of India (GOI) to work in the British High Commission (BHC). BHC will not be able to sponsor work visas or obtain/ assist with the special work permit from GOI. Offers of employment made to OCI card holders will be conditional upon candidates obtaining a special work permit.

Note: For requisite special permission to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India, OCI Cardholder must visit https://ociservices.gov.in

Please note – successful applicants will be offered employment on Country Based Staff (CBS) terms and conditions. This is not a permanent UK Civil Service position and does not attract diplomatic immunities and privileges (other than what an individual may already hold if they are a recognised partner/family member of a serving diplomat).