Senior Policy and Delivery Advisor - Space and Innovation

COM1000 Office of Communications; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ofcom is seeking a Senior Associate to lead policy and delivery work for innovative spectrum access, with a focus on space and satellite services. The role involves coordinating cross-functional teams, guiding complex licensing processes and engaging with a range of stakeholders to ensure timely, compliant outcomes.

You will collaborate with economists, lawyers and engineers, develop internal decision notes and represent Ofcom to external partners, while working in a dynamic regulatory

Qualifications

• Delivery-focused with ability to set up and manage projects, prioritize resources and produce high-level deliverables on time.

Responsibilities

• Provide policy and delivery leadership on spectrum access for satellite/space services.
• Coordinate engagement with space stakeholders and lead groups to meet timelines.
• Work with economists, lawyers and engineers to assess requests and ensure requirements are met.

Job description

Closing Date: 19/10/2026 Group: Spectrum Group Management Level: Senior Associate Job Type: Permanent

About Ofcom

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work to make communications work for everyone. Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to online safety, TV and radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our ambitions on behalf of the British public.

About the Team

Spectrum Group is responsible for setting the long-term strategy for spectrum use in the UK, understanding demand from different stakeholders, and clearing, awarding and licensing the radio spectrum, which enables access to all types of wireless technologies: for example, TV, mobile, satellite, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth and drones. Radio spectrum is a vital resource used by almost everyone - consumers as well as businesses and it touches our lives every day. The spectrum connects our mobiles, wireless headphones, tablets and computers. It enables our key fobs to unlock our cars, satellites to measure the climate and meteorologists to forecast the weather. It also ensures that concerts and productions are seen and heard. TV and radio broadcasting would not exist without it. Without access to vital spectrum, police, fire, ambulance, the coastguard, and air traffic control would not be able to communicate. The Space Spectrum Authorisation and Policy team consist of around 30 colleagues –comprising a mix of policy, regulatory and licensing roles. We help to create and update the authorisations that enable access to spectrum for innovative services in the UK, including in the satellite, drones and maritime sector.

Purpose of the Role

The successful candidate can expect to undertake a range of activities to support innovative access to spectrum, with a particular focus on the space and satellite sector where new services and technologies are emerging at a rapid pace. This role will:

• Provide policy and delivery leadership on new requests for spectrum access for innovative satellite/space services. You will lead a range of specialist colleagues to assess new requests, identify how new services can be enabled and issue appropriate authorisations, including policy consultations in some cases;
• Coordinate Spectrum Group’s engagement with space stakeholders, including leading engagement on new requests. You will be organised and effectively lead groups of colleagues to deliver to timelines, using attention to detail and clear stakeholder engagement to identify and resolve issues.
• You will work closely with a range of colleagues including economists, lawyers and engineers to assess requests and ensure applicants have met requirements where relevant.
• You will drive the development and drafting of internal decision notes, and external consultations and decisions in some cases.
• You will be expected to work independently and within a team, reporting to a Principal Policy Advisor.
• There will be opportunities to work with different sectors and stakeholders, and represent Ofcom’s position to them, with an emphasis on proactive external engagement to gather new market insights to inform our policy approaches.

Key responsibilities

Tasks will be varied and would suit an individual that takes an active approach to planning and developing projects and excels in bringing a range of individuals together to deliver as a team. This role will also suit an individual who is comfortable engaging with detailed (often technical) issues that impact on policy solutions and communicating effectively both verbally and in writing with senior internal and external stakeholders. Effective collaboration with other parts of Ofcom is critical to the role, particularly with economists, lawyers and technical specialists. Key aspects of the role are:

• Lead and project manage end to end licensing processes for innovative new technologies with a high degree of autonomy, working with technical colleagues, economists and lawyers to interrogate applications, identify potential policy problems and solutions to grant authorisations in a timely way.
• Where relevant, develop and draft policy consultations and decisions, considering responses in determining whether Ofcom should grant a licence.
• Stakeholder engagement – collaborate with colleagues in other parts of Ofcom (including policy, authorisation, international) to understand stakeholder’s needs, coordinate engagement and identify where we need to be consistent with our approach and communications.
• As part of this you would help to manage Spectrum Group’s overall relationships with key space stakeholders, leading engagement on our licensing processes and helping to share trends and information across the wider policy and operational functions.
• Consider how policy and procedures might be improved to simplify the application process for both applicants and Ofcom.

Skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success

Empowering Development: Leads, mentors, and motivates colleagues while ensuring accountability and embedding best practice in line with organisational policies.

Owning Accountabilities: delivery-focused with ability to set up and manage projects, prioritise your own and other’s resources and produce high-level deliverables on time to meet tight deadlines.

Harmonising Work: an ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and with a range of experts, understanding and balancing different skills to build a common goal and deliver joined up, robust policy solutions.

Articulating Ideas: first‑rate communications skills, in particular the ability to explain complex issues clearly both in writing and orally, adapting content to suit a variety of audiences.

Experience in project management or policy development working in government, regulation or a relevant sector.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge and experience

An understanding of spectrum management principles or a broader understanding of wireless communications is helpful but can be developed over time in the role.

Inclusive hiring at Ofcom

At Ofcom, our mission is clear: to make communications work for everyone. To achieve that, our people must reflect the diversity of the UK, in background, identity and experience. We believe innovation thrives when difference is valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. That’s why we welcome colleagues of all ethnicities and races, sexes, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, faiths and beliefs, and those with apparent and non‑apparent disabilities. We value socio‑economic diversity, life experience and neurodiversity too. Whether you’re a carer, a parent, a veteran, or re‑entering work after time away, your voice and perspective matter here. Flexibility is at the heart of how we work because we want you to thrive in a way that suits you best. Most roles can therefore be adapted for part‑time hours, job shares, or other flexible arrangements. Learn more about our Rewards, Benefits and Wellbeing on our careers page. As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role. You can read more about this commitment here. Whoever you are, whatever your story, you belong at Ofcom. We make communications work for everyone.

Further Information

As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other. Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. And we need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone. Ofcom’s remit is huge – we keep UK citizens and consumers safe from harm and ensure they receive the best possible service from their communications providers. Find out more about Ofcom, where we operate, and the different types of work we do to keep the country connected. At Ofcom we are determined to do all we can to promote diversity and equality inside our organisation and in the wider sectors we regulate. Diversity and equality are fundamental to achieving our purpose to make communications work for everyone. We need to make the best decisions for all UK consumers and citizens. To do this, it is essential that all levels of our organisation are diverse and foster an inclusive culture.