Senior Policy Officer Full time / Part time Salary: £42,593- £48,245, with potential for further progression to £54,317 with our pay progression scheme. Location: Hybrid Contracted to our Wilmslow or London 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, in Autumn of 2026 our Head Office will be relocating from Wilmslow to central Manchester. 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 The Public Affairs (Parliament and Government Affairs) team lead on influencing government departments, policy makers, Parliamentarians and civil society who have the most impact on the ICO’s remit of information rights, privacy and transparency. We focus our effort and resources on the issues that matter the most to the public, from AI to children’s privacy. We build relationships with stakeholders to gather insights to inform our work, influence legislation and some of the most high-profile policy issues of the day and to improve compliance within key government departments. 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 Senior Policy Officer you will combine your knowledge of data protection legislation with knowledge of your stakeholders and political context. You will take responsibility for complex policy and engagement outputs, undertaking research and policy development and provide advice and guidance. This can also include being a primary source of contact for stakeholders at a senior level. Key responsibilities: Build and maintain relationships with high-profile stakeholders including government departments, policy makers, Parliamentarians and civil society. Prepare complex written work including briefing documents for the Commissioner and senior leaders, responses to consultations and Parliamentary inquiries, preparing senior leaders for meetings and providing detailed advice to Government on emerging issues and legislation. Representing the ICO to external stakeholders and at selected events, including speaking engagements and meetings with internal and external stakeholders at senior levels, leading and influencing their thinking and policy developments. Contribute to internal and external research, leading as appropriate. Develop expertise in information rights legislation and practice, keeping abreast of developments in Information Rights legislation and regulations. Be conversant with other related legislation and political, social and legal developments and context relevant to the ICO and our stakeholders. Develop the ICO’s relationship with assigned stakeholders across Parliament and central government, civil society and within political parties, influencing these at a senior level in a way consistent with the ICO corporate and business plan objectives; develop the ICO’s stakeholder mapping across each of these sectors; Promoting information rights; identifying problems, demonstrating good practice and developing solutions. Person specification Essential criteria assessed at application stage: 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 applying data protection, Freedom of Information or similarly complex legislation Excellent intellectual ability in order to analyse complex legislation and information The ability to use good judgement and problem solving skills in order to take high profile decisions. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior officials in assigned stakeholder areas Ability to work under pressure and to handle large workloads An awareness of the wider democratic, political and organisational framework in the UK or overseas as appropriate Essential criteria assessed during interview: Excellent intellectual ability in order to analyse complex legislation and information The ability to use good judgement and problem solving skills in order to take high profile decisions. Strong verbal communication and presentation skills Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior officials in assigned stakeholder areas Excellent written communication skills Ability to work under pressure and to handle large workloads Self-motivated, ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team Ability to use standard office IT packages Ability to travel to meetings and events in the UK and occasionally overseas (possibly outside office hours) An awareness of the wider democratic, political and organisational framework in the UK or overseas as appropriate 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 are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at recruitment@ico.org.uk Closing Date Please submit your CV by 23:59, 13 July 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.