Director – Technology, Innovation and Enterprise (Tech Policy / Regulatory Supervision and Cooperation)

Director Technology Innovation and Enterprise (Tech Policy / Regulatory Supervision and Cooperation)

Full time / Part time

Salary: 88403- 101223 with potential for further progression to 114042 with our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our Wilmslow London Edinburgh Cardiff or Belfast office however we offer flexible home and office-based 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. Please note from Autumn 2026 our head office will relocate from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.

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 save money 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.

Job summary

The Director for Technology Innovation and Enterprise leads the ICOs technology and business-facing directorate. The role spans some of the most contested issues in the digital economy AI and biometrics childrens privacy online tracking and digital innovation areas that shape how people live and how businesses succeed.

The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information a data-driven world we provide advice guidance and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

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 description

You will provide senior leadership to three departments Technology Innovation and Enterprise and act as the ICOs sponsor Director for the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) forging alignment with Ofcom the CMA and the FCA on systemic digital issues.

You will have intellectual authority visible leadership and the ability to deliver at pace representing the ICO credibly at the highest levels of government industry and civil society. You will have the opportunity to shape the UKs regulatory approach to emerging technologies for the decade ahead.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership of the Technology Innovation and Enterprise directorate ensuring delivery of ICO25 priorities and alignment to corporate objectives.

• Lead and inspire the directorates three departments (Technology Innovation and Enterprise) setting vision allocating resources and ensuring a high-performance culture.

• Oversee delivery of major programmes including online tracking AI and biometrics childrens privacy and innovation services ensuring impact and value for money.

• Ensure structured horizon scanning and anticipatory policy development positioning the ICO on frontier technologies such as agentic AI neurotechnology and quantum computing.

• Act as the ICOs sponsor Director for the DRCF ensuring effective cross-regulatory collaboration and alignment on systemic issues across the digital regulatory landscape.

• Provide authoritative advice and representation to senior government parliamentary and industry stakeholders securing trust and influence for the ICO on matters of technological risk and innovation.

• Lead the development of a statutory regulatory sandbox and ensure continuous improvement of the ICOs innovation services portfolio.

• Manage risk across the directorate ensuring effective governance robust assurance and timely escalation to the Executive Team.

• Promote professional development inclusion and wellbeing across the directorate creating an environment that attracts and retains high-calibre staff.

• Contribute actively to the ICOs Senior Leadership Team supporting collective decision-making and corporate responsibilities.

• Represent the ICO nationally and internationally building strategic partnerships and enhancing the organisations external profile.

• Adapt the directorates scope and structure as the ICOs operating model evolves leading organisational change with clarity and confidence.

Person specification

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

• Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements as described in the role responsibilities and person specification including in engaging with the interaction between information rights and technology and/or innovation and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience. (Also assessed at interview).

• Experience of engaging and negotiating with senior external stakeholders. (Also assessed at interview).

• Substantial experience of the management and deployment of resources including budgets. (Also assessed at interview)

• Inclusive and supportive staff leadership skills. (Also assessed at interview).

• Deep familiarity with the use of technology to process personal data and the promotion of and engagement with innovation. (Also assessed at interview).

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• Excellent written and verbal communication negotiation and presentation skills

• Personally effective excellent organisational skills ability to prioritise and delegate

• Ability to seek out manage and influence opportunities for continuous improvement and change

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.