JOB DESCRIPTION

We are recruiting a Group Manager to lead one of several teams delivering the ICO’s AI and Biometrics Strategy. You will manage a team of policy and technical experts, providing strategic leadership, building capability, and ensuring delivery across a dynamic and evolving portfolio.
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.
This is a senior leadership role, requiring you to set vision, develop people, and oversee delivery in a fast-moving and contested policy space. You will represent the ICO externally at senior level, influence key stakeholders, and ensure our regulatory approach to AI and biometrics is robust, forward-looking and trusted.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams, drawing on expertise from across the ICO, to deliver high-quality policy and regulatory outcomes that meet organisational and national needs.
• Work closely with other Group Managers and the Director for AI and Biometrics to ensure priorities are delivered consistently and with joined-up governance and oversight.
• Provide expert insight on AI and biometrics issues, ensuring the ICO anticipates risks, responds effectively and produces incisive, evidence-based interventions.
• Maintain an up-to-date understanding of relevant legislation, political, social and technological developments affecting AI and biometrics, and ensure these inform the ICO’s work.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the ICO in high-profile forums, and influencing senior decision-makers to secure effective outcomes.
• Contribute to the development of ICO strategy, business plans and performance reporting, supporting the Director with governance and accountability.
• Ensure effective risk management within your team, identifying and escalating organisational and operational risks as required.
• Promote innovation and horizon scanning, identifying emerging AI and biometrics issues and ensuring the ICO develops the capabilities to address them.