Principal Policy Advisor – Enterprise Full time / Part time Salary: Salary : £55,591 - £62,793 pa, with potential for further progression to £70,907 pa 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. 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 our website. Job summary We are recruiting for a Principal Policy Advisor in the ICO’s Enterprise department. This exciting role offers the opportunity to directly supervise how Big Tech platforms are processing personal data, including across novel and complex areas such as generative AI, recommender systems, and online advertising. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In 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 The department is responsible for the ICO’s external engagement with, and scrutiny of the biggest online platform providers operating in the UK (e.g. social media platforms), to ensure high standards of data protection for UK residents. This is a fast-paced team which deals with some of the highest-profile issues of the day such as the role of data protection in the novel technologies. The role provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to the ICO’s critical work as a leading UK and global regulator, tackling high-profile privacy issues that have widespread impacts on the everyday lives of UK residents. As a Principal Policy Advisor, you will provide key expertise and analysis in relation to high-priority and complex data protection compliance matters in areas including the use of personal data in AI, online advertising, and recommender systems. You will be responsible for leading the ICO’s strategic approach to supervising the activities of big tech platforms across all the ways they are processing data, including making use of the ICO’s regulatory powers as appropriate. You will lead collaborative work with teams from across the ICO drawing on colleagues’ technical, legal and operational skills. Key responsibilities: Provide expert insight and analysis into emerging data protection and information rights matters arising from big tech companies, identify priority compliance issues, and provide recommendations to inform ICO strategic approaches. Lead fast-paced multi-disciplinary policy projects to address emerging data protection issues and developments arising from big tech companies, including leading the early stage development of ICO strategic approaches to emerging compliance issues. This will involve working with internal stakeholders across the ICO, collaborating with fellow UK digital regulators, and making use of the ICO’s regulatory powers as appropriate. Build and maintain excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This includes negotiating and sometimes having challenging conversations with senior stakeholders to ensure the ICO is able to develop and communicate a clear approach to its policy lines and supervisory strategy. Provide strategic advice to the Commissioner and his senior leadership team, including the delivery of timely and high-quality briefings and other policy papers. Proactively develop legislative expertise, keeping abreast of developments in all information rights legislation and regulations overseen by the ICO, alongside other relevant legislative, social and political developments. 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. Experience of working: in a technology and/or digital focused environment, with significant privacy, policy, or regulatory elements. Experience of interpreting complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures. A strong understanding of the wider parliamentary, democratic, political and regulatory framework in the UK and overseas is essential. Ability to travel to meetings and events in the UK and overseas (possibly outside office hours) Essential criteria assessed during interview: Experience of leading successful projects from concept to sign-off. Experience of interpreting complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures. Excellent written communication skills, including the abilities to analyse complex information and legislation, and to formulate clear and persuasive arguments for a range of audiences. Excellent understanding of the technology sector and digital economy, including associated data protection issues. Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills and an ability to represent the ICO with a range of stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior stakeholders in all areas of public life and make sound judgements. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities. 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 CV by 23:59, 15 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.