Group Manager - Regulatory Policy Projects

Group Manager – Regulatory Policy Projects

Full time / Part time

One permanent position and one 12 month fixed term contract position

Salary: £57,815 - £65,021 , with potential for further progression to £73,211 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 that from Autumn 2026 our Head Office will be relocating from Wilmslow to central Manchester.

• 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 .

Regulatory Policy Projects (RPP) leads the ICO’s strategic policy development to protect and strengthen information rights and support innovation. The directorate’s policy and research specialists deliver outputs that provide clear, authoritative positions on data protection law. It works collaboratively across the organisation to deliver impactful programmes of work aligned to ICO priorities which address legislative change, developments in technology and major government initiatives.

It is also the home of the ICO’s policy profession, overseeing skills development to facilitate the delivery of high quality policy outputs.

The Group Manager leads a team of policy experts who participate in a range of projects such as providing guidance on legislative change or establishing policy on key priority information rights issues.

• keep group activities under review, assess priorities and contribute to RPP’s strategic direction; and
• ensure that all staff in their group are clear about the standards expected, in line with ICO values, and are managed effectively to develop their potential – providing their advice and expertise on policy direction, outputs and engagement.

• Provide effective leadership to the group ensuring that members are clear about expected standards of performance, motivated and developed to provide effective and efficient services.
• Depending on the composition of the group, directly line manage Principal Policy Adviser(s), Senior Policy Officer(s) and Lead Policy Officer(s).
• Contribute to the development of directorate business planning consistent with ICO strategic objectives and oversee the effective delivery of relevant aspects of those plans assigned to their group.
• Devise procedures for the effective, efficient, timely and consistent handling of the workload.
• Monitor activity across the group, report on performance, provide accurate management information and use the information to reflect on how improvements can be embedded.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, representing the ICO in external meetings with assigned stakeholders, and engaging with other ICO teams and departments on issues relevant to your portfolio.
• Represent the ICO at selected external events, including speaking engagements.
• Oversee the development of timely and high quality briefings and other information on issues within their group’s area of responsibility for the Senior Leadership Team and Heads of Department as well as the wider ICO.
• Formally review and sign off guidance, planning and project outputs.
• Support the promotion and development of the policy profession and wider learning and development activities.
• Coordinate with the research team to ensure that opportunities to identify public opinion are identified and embedded in our outputs where appropriate.
• Manage responses to internal requests for support in line with prioritisation decisions.
• Proactively develop legislative expertise, keeping abreast…