Director of Communications

Director of Communications

Full time / Part time

Salary: 91276- 104513pa with potential for further progression to117748pa withour pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our WilmsloworLondonoffice we will berelocatingto Manchester city centre from 28 September 2026. Once the move takes place your contracted office will be Circle Square Manchester. Through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities and there will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.

Why work for the ICO

• Challenging and interesting work.

• Pay progression scheme.

• Hybrid and flexible working options.

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

• Flexi leave (up to 26additionaldays leave per year).

• Pension (employer contribution around28.9%).

• 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 ofourwebsite.

Job summary

We are looking for an exceptional Director of Communications to lead a modernhighperformingcommunications function at the heart of the ICO.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team you will set a clear ambitious vision for communications and ensure it is embedded early in organisationaldecisionmaking.

You will lead an integratedinhousecommunications function of around 30 people supported by two senior managers covering media digital social strategic communications and engagement. Your focus will be on impactinsightand outcomesusing communications as a core regulatory tool.

This is a senior leadership role with real influenceadvisingthe Executive Team on sensitive andhighprofileissues shaping how the ICO explains its role anddecisions and ensuring communications strengthen understandingtrustand compliance.

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 impactfulcollaborativeand respectful.

Key responsibilities

• Setting and leading the ICOs communications strategy aligned to regulatoryobjectivesand corporate priorities.

• Positioning communications as a strategic asset shaping behaviour supportingcomplianceand reinforcing the ICOs authority.

• Providing senior counsel on reputationalsensitiveandhighprofileissues including crisis readiness and response.

• Leadinginsightdriven measurable communications grounded in audience understanding data and evaluation.

• Championingdigitalfirst modern communications practice encouraging creativityinnovationand pace withappropriate governance.

• Owning and shaping the ICOs overarching corporate narrative building public confidence in information rights and regulation.

• Building strong internal and external relationships including with senior leaderspartnersand media.

• Leading and developing ahighperforming inclusive communications function building capability and confidence at every level.

• Managing resourcesbudgetsand agencies to ensure value for money and maximum impact.

Person specification

You will be a senior communications leader with a strongtrack recordinhighprofile highly scrutinised environments. You will bring credibilityjudgementand presence particularly whenoperatingunder pressure.

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

• Significant experienceleading largemultidisciplinarycommunications and engagement teamsin apublic sector or a similarly scrutinised environment.

• Proven experience advising senior leaders on complex sensitive and reputationally significant communications issues.

• Experience managing resources and budgets includingcommissioningand working with agencies to enhance delivery.

• Insightdrivenapproach: strong understanding of audience insightevaluationand performance measurement.

Additionalessential criteria assessed during interview:

• A demonstrable ability to use communications to shape outcomes-influencing understanding behaviourtrustor organisational effectiveness.

• Experience setting and delivering communications strategy across multiple disciplines (media digital campaignsstakeholderor events).

• Experience leading and developing senior managers and buildinghighperforming confident teams.

• Strategic judgement and influence: able to engage confidently with senior leaders provide challenge and securebuyinacross an organisation.

• Leadership presence: crediblecalmand authoritative particularly inhighpressureorhighprofilesituations.

• Digital and modern communications literacy: able to leaddigitalfirstthinkingcreativityand innovation at a senior level.

• Excellent communication skills: able to distil complex or technical issues into cleartrustedand accessible messages.

• Inclusive leadership: ability to develop talent support diversity of thinking and create an environment where people can perform at their best.

• Experience leading communications transformation or capability uplift.

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 whereall ofour colleagueshave the opportunity tomake a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together witha number ofstaff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.

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

As part of the ICOs commitment to our EDIobjectivesand creating a workplace thatrepresentsthe communities and societies we serve we guarantee an interview to candidates who declare they identify as belonging from an ethnic minority background and who meet theminimumcriteria for this vacancy

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