Principal Policy Adviser – AI (Policy & Compliance teams)

ICO; England; On-site; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A regulatory body for information in the UK is seeking two Principal Policy Advisers to support their AI Policy and Compliance teams. The role involves leading multi-disciplinary teams, providing expert insight on data protection, and influencing AI policy at a significant level. With a focus on collaboration and strategic advice to senior leadership, this position allows for hybrid working opportunities. Candidates are expected to have substantial relevant experience and a deep understanding of AI technology and its implications for data protection.

Benefits

Pay progression scheme

Flexible working options

25 days paid holiday plus public holidays

Pension options

Health Cash Plan

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements.
• Significant relevant experience in policy or corporate environment relating to AI.
• Experience of leading AI related projects from concept to sign-off.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert insight on emerging data protection matters.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams for high-impact policy outcomes.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and negotiate effectively.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Leadership in AI projects

Excellent interpersonal skills

Understanding of data protection regulation

Job description

Principal Policy Adviser AI (Policy & Compliance teams)

One up to 12 month and one up to six months fixed term

Full time / Part time

Salary: 55591- 62793 with potential for further progression to 70907 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.

This role is open to secondment opportunities. If you are interested in a secondment with the ICO please email .

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
• 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 hiring two fixed term Principal Policy Adviser (PPA) one is up to 12 months and one up to six months. One PPA will report to the Group Manager for AI Policy and the second to the Group Manager for AI Compliance / AI & Biometrics. Both will belong to the Technology department of the ICO.

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

The Technology department is the ICOs centre of technology policy and technical expertise. It specialises in developing novel policy and regulatory interventions in relation to new and emerging technologies.

We are currently recruiting a PPA to join our AI Policy team and support our work on ensuring AI‑driven services and products at the forefront of innovation comply with data protection respect individuals rights and bring wider benefits to society and the economy.

We are an influential digital regulator both internationally and domestically consulting key decision‑makers on AI policy and regulation.

You will be joining us at an interesting time and will play a key role in driving supervision as part of the ADM workstream of the AI & Biometrics Strategy we launched in June 2025. The PPA will support high‑profile investigations audits and innovation services led by other teams across the office.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in influencing innovation and adoption in the AI space while ensuring peoples rights and freedoms are protected.

Key responsibilities

• Provide expert insight regarding emerging data protection and information rights matters with a technical dimension ensuring this expertise is deployed to anticipate issues and produce incisive policy responses.
• Lead multi‑disciplinary teams drawing on expertise and skillsets across the ICO to produce high‑impact policy outcomes.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders by representing the ICO in a variety of forums and negotiating with senior stakeholders to ensure we are able to develop communicate and maintain a clear approach to our policy lines.
• Provide strategic advice to the Commissioner and his senior leadership team including the delivery of timely and high‑quality briefings.
• Proactively develop legislative and technical expertise keeping abreast of AI developments in all information rights legislation and regulations overseen by the ICO.
• Lead fast‑paced policy projects to explore the implications of specific developments in technology and innovation in greater depth and make recommendations on the appropriate course of action.

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.
• Significant relevant experience which could have been gained from a policy operational or corporate environment that relates to AI.
• Experience of leading successful AI related projects from concept to sign‑off.
• Experience of interpreting complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures.
• Excellent understanding of the AI technology the relevant sector and its impact on individuals including associated data protection and AI regulation and governance issues. (Also measured at interview)

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• 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.
• Ability to demonstrate an agile approach to technical upskilling is an advantage.
• A strong understanding of the wider parliamentary democratic political and regulatory framework in the UK and overseas is essential.
• 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 at pace.
• Ability to identify understand and evaluate the strategic social and practical implications around AI technologies and processing that affect peoples rights in relation to data protection.
• Ability to travel to meetings and events in the UK and overseas (possibly outside office hours)

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.

As part of the ICOs commitment to our EDI objectives and creating a workplace that represents the 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 the minimum criteria for this vacancy

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

Closing Date

Please submit your CV and cover letter by 23 : 5916 November . Your cover letter should be no more than 1000 words and should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us at .

In the event of a high volume of applications we may not be able to invite all candidates who meet the minimum criteria to interview. However we encourage you stay in touch and apply for future roles that match your interests.

All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and apply in‑line with our guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be interviewed.