Principal Technology Advisor - AI

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO); England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A public regulatory body in the UK is seeking a Principal Technology Advisor for AI. The role requires extensive knowledge in AI and Machine Learning, focusing on the implications of technology on information rights. Candidates should possess strong analytical and communication skills, with a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. This position offers a hybrid working model with competitive benefits, including a salary ranging from £55,591 to £62,974.

Benefits

Pay progression scheme

Flexible working

25 days paid holiday

Health Cash Plan

Pension with employer contribution

Qualifications

• Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements.
• Up to date knowledge of communications and information security technologies.
• Ability to apply legislative requirements in technology development.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical input on AI and machine learning frameworks.
• Forge productive relationships across the ICO.
• Conduct complex technology research.

Skills

Expert knowledge of AI and Machine Learning frameworks and techniques

Analytical and research skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Job description

Principal Technology Advisor - AI

Full time / Part time

Salary: £55,591 - £62,974, with potential for further progression to £70,907 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.

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 currently recruiting for two Principal Technology Advisor - AI. One role is permanent, and one is fixed term until March 2027.

The Technology Department is the ICO's centre of technical expertise. The department specialises in new and emerging technologies and their impact on information rights. The Department's work is high-impact, complex, and at the frontier of advanced technology and policy development.

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

As a Principal Technology Advisor for AI, you will provide expert technical input concerning AI and machine learning frameworks and techniques into the ICO's data protection, freedom of information and other regulatory activities. You will have experience at the leading edge of developments in AI, policy, ethics, law, and the societal consequences arising from the development and use of AI technologies.

You will be passionate in separating the hype from the reality and focused on helping shape the future of AI developments to better respect and uphold the rights of citizens.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide expert technical input concerning AI and machine learning frameworks and techniques into the ICO's policy and supervisory activities, based on a good understanding of data structures, data modelling and software architecture.
• Forge collaborative, productive relationships with colleagues across the ICO, translating your technical insight into impact on the some of the most high-profile activities of the ICO.
• Research, monitor and investigate the domain, keeping abreast of developments and their potential impact on information rights and the ICO.
• Conduct complex technology research and provide in-depth advice and guidance on other technology projects designed to support the development of information rights policy for the ICO.
• Represent the ICO in situations where complex technical knowledge concerning AI and machine learning is required, eg meeting senior technical representative bodies and information rights interest groups, speaking at conferences, etc.
• Develop relationships with key actors and in the field and ensure the ICO has a credible voice in discussions concerning AI. Leverage your own networks to extend the ICO reach and influence into expert networks within the AI practitioner, policy and research domain.
• Have a good understanding of relevant legislation and political, social and legal as well as technological developments, that impact on information rights.
• Excellent communication skills, in particular the ability to convey complex ideas and concepts to a non-technical audience.

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.
• Up to date, expert knowledge of current trends and practices relating to the use of information, communications and information security technologies (also assessed at interview)
• Extensive knowledge of AI and Machine Learning frameworks and techniques (also assessed at interview)
• Excellent analytical and research skills demonstrating an ability to identify emerging technology trends, developments and issues (also assessed at interview)
• Excellent analytical and research skills demonstrating an ability to identify emerging technology trends, developments and issues (also assessed at interview)

Essential criteria assessed during interview

• Ability to apply legislative requirements to the development and application of information and communications technologies
• A strong desire and aptitude to continually develop technical knowledge, skills and abilities as technology evolves
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to build and maintain good working relationships, both internally and externally
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills including the ability to explain technical matters to a non-technical audience
• Excellent standard of literacy and effective written communication skills for producing reports, documenting research findings, writing letters and meeting notes
• Ability to deal with a demanding workload which may include conflicting demands on time
• 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 ICO's commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

As part of the ICO's 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 [e-mail]

Closing Date

Please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability to the role by 23:59, 01 October

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.

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.