Group Manager - Innovation Hub Full time / Part time This role is fixed term until October 2025. With potential to be extended until October 2026 Grade: F 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. Job summary The ICO’s Regulatory Risk Executive Directorate is responsible for anticipating, understanding and shaping the impacts of emerging technology and innovation on people and society. Our work ranges from understanding the data protection implications of the metaverse through to advising digital start-ups on how to engineer information rights into the fabric of their innovations. The Innovation Department leads the ICO’s work with innovators to embed data protection by design principles into new products and services. We provide hands-on support to encourage innovation, prevent harm, and reduce the likelihood of future infringements. We also develop and implement strategic policy relating to emerging technologies and innovative uses of personal data. Job description This post drives, plans and steers the workload of the Innovation Hub, and manages the team that delivers its outputs. The Innovation Hub is critical to the delivery of the ICO’s ICO25 enduring objective to empower responsible innovation and sustainable economic growth. The Hub collaborates with partners, including Government Departments, Innovation agencies such as Catapults, and other regulators to reach groups of innovators and train or mentor them to build Data Protection by Design into their developing products. The Hub’s work increases regulatory certainty for innovators through inclusive and empathetic engagement. The Group Manager for the Hub will be responsible for the management and ongoing development of the Hub workstreams as well as its effective and efficient delivery. This includes the running a professional and proactive service, seeking out new potential projects, and leading, developing and motivating the Hub team. Key responsibilities: Developing new and existing programmes of work with innovation supporting organisations in line with the Innovation Department’s business plan and objectives. Shaping the forward programme for the Hub and to developing new relationships with regulators or other bodies that could bring new opportunities to interact with a wider range of innovators. Liaising clearly and confidently with all internal and external stakeholders to plan, agree, schedule and deliver Hub activities and act as a key point of contact for these activities where required. Ensuring the effective allocation of resources to deliver the Hub’s services and activities. Oversight of deliverables produced by the Hub for internal and external stakeholders, to ensure it meets strategic objectives and quality standards. The development, monitoring and review of operational policies, processes and procedures for the Hub, ensuring activities are delivered consistently and within agreed timescales. Working with the Head of Innovation to monitor and demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of the Hub, and use this information to continually improve standards and effectiveness. Manage and lead department projects and initiatives as required, ensuring they meet strategic objectives and implementation is achieved on time and in budget Deputise for the Head of Innovation as necessary The recruitment, management and development of Senior Policy Officers and staff within the department including the monitoring and review of individual performance and supporting individual development. This includes ensuring that team members are clear about expected standards of performance, motivated and professionally developed. The work will involve a degree of travel and working away from home. This will vary depending on priorities. Comply with ICO policies and procedures Person specification Essential criteria assessed at application stage: 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. Substantial experience working in a compliance/regulatory/policy environment Excellent intellectual and analytical ability in order to apply complex legislation to practical circumstances. Including good knowledge of data protection law, with the ability to apply it to new contexts. Excellent written and verbal communication skills Essential criteria assessed during interview: Excellent intellectual and analytical ability in order to apply complex legislation to practical circumstances. Including good knowledge of data protection law, with the ability to apply it to new contexts. Ability to lead teams to deliver complex and timebound projects. Experience of managing teams and/or complex projects operating in an assurance or compliance/regulatory/policy environment Strategic thinker, able to take the lead and work to achieve organisational goals. Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relations with senior stakeholders Ability to manage and develop individuals to deliver team and personal objectives. 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 ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you have a disability or impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at recruitmentico.org.uk. Closing Date Please submit your application by 23:59, 3 December 2024 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.