Head of (Regulatory Policy Projects & Legislative Policy)

Full time / Part time

Salary:with potential for further progression to 89369pa with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our Wilmslow London Edinburgh Cardiff or Belfast office however we offer flexible home and officebased working opportunities. There will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.

About the ICO

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a datadriven world we provide advice guidance and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations so that individuals and their personal information are protected.

As an employer we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people and we empower you to be curious impactful collaborative and respectful.

Job Summary

We are looking for three experienced policy leaders to join our team. Two roles in our Policy Projects team and one in our Legislative Policy team.

In the Policy Projects role you will help to lead teams at the forefront of impactful policy development working collaboratively to deliver our policy objectives across a range of leadingedge information rights issues underpinned by our evidencebased approach and policy methodology. You will be an experienced leader able to shape and communicate policy whilst leading engagement with key decision makers and influencers in the UK and internationally to deliver our projects such as AI and Biometrics Online Tracking Childrens Privacy and implementation of the upcoming Data Use and Access Act.

In the Legislative Policy role you will collaborate across the organisation to develop ICO positions on legislative reforms impacting our role and remit. You will act as an expert advisor to government leveraging our regulatory experience to inform proposed reforms and ensure effective structures and processes to deliver them. Your portfolio of work will include the upcoming Data Use and Access Act and the new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill. You will have experience of working closely with government or other representational roles. You will be working on our Legislative Change programme that includes identifying emerging issues and understanding the implications of forwardlooking policy and legislative proposals to delivering significant policy responses across our important work on AI Online Tracking and Childrens Privacy.

As Head you will lead develop and nurture a highly performing diverse and talented workforce. You will create a culture that motivates staff promotes innovation and delivers results.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver our policy programmes of work achieve regulatory certainty and increase the impact of the ICOs work. Regulatory Policy Projects)

• Lead the team in partnership with the Director to provide expert insight and advice on the breadth of the ICOs legislative framework and lead multidisciplinary teams to develop key policy positions on the impact of proposed legislative changes on people businesses government and the ICO. Legislative Change)

• Contribute to work to identify and assess emerging social legislative and economic trends that are likely to have an impact on privacy and data protection ensuring the implications for the ICO as an effective regulator are identified and effectively communicated to the ICOs senior leaders.

• Provide effective leadership to colleagues ensuring that they are clear about expected standards of performance motivated and developed to provide effective and efficient services in line with the ICOs values.

• Develop and nurture a high performing diverse and talented workforce creating the right environment and culture to enable all to perform and continuously learn and supporting managers to lead their teams.

• Build effective relationships with key stakeholders and influencers in order to drive change and further the ICOs information rights objectives.

• Ensure that appropriate and effective mechanisms are in place to produce and monitor key performance indicators to ensure service delivery is in line with agreed standards. Managing assigned financial and other resources.

• Seek continuous improvement in all areas of responsibility especially on excellence in service delivery. Proactively identify and implement changes. To manage and lead on projects and initiatives ensuring outcomes are achieved on time and in budget.

• Be fully conversant with all relevant legislation and political social and legal developments that impact on the ICOs role and remit.

• Lead in developing and presenting relevant position papers to the ICO s Senior Leadership and Executive Teams and Commissioners Management Board as necessary. Brief the Commissioner and senior colleagues in writing and verbally.

• Participate on behalf of the Commissioner/ICO at meetings and events and take part in media activity where senior representation is required.

• Participate in the ICOs leadership activities to contribute to corporate initiatives including business planning and reporting processes.

• Identify opportunities to enhance and address risks to the ICOs reputation and to make recommendations for developing the ICOs strategic approach.

• Supported by the research team commission and be accountable for external research to inform ICO policy development. Ensure outputs are in line with requirements and delivered on time and within budget.

Essential criteria for application

• Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements as described in the role responsibilities and person specification and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.

• Experience of successfully developing and implementing forward looking and proactive policy and guidance.

• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.

• Excellent analytical and policy development skills and knowledge of risk and project management processes.

Essential criteria for interview

• Substantial experience of leading and managing people.

• Excellent analytical and policy development skills and knowledge of risk and project management processes.

• Experience of interpreting and applying complex legislation to particular situations and the ability to engage in debate about these issues.

• Significant experience in a representational or negotiating role.(Legislative Change)

• Knowledge of the regulatory environment and the democratic and political framework relevant to the post.

• Understanding of the emerging strategic issues likely to have an impact on future regulation of privacy and data protection.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills

• Seeking out managing and influencing opportunities for continuous improvement and change.

Why work for the ICO

• Pay progression scheme.

• Hybrid and flexible working options.

• 25 days paid holiday per year plus privilege and public holidays.

• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days leave per year).

• Pension (employer contribution around 28.9.

• Online discount scheme to at major supermarkets retailers gyms restaurants insurance providers and many more.

• Health Cash Plan.

• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of ourwebsite

Equality diversity and inclusion

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality diversity and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICOs commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method please email the HR team at

Closing Date

Please submit yourCV and cover letter detailing your suitability to the role by23:59 21 April

We reserve the right to close this vacancy before this date should we receive sufficient applications. Please apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.

If you would like any further information about both of the roles please reach out to