Graduate Officer

Graduate Officer

Two Year Graduate Scheme

Contract:

Permanent

Salary: £32,000 per annum

Location:

Hybrid (contracted to Manchester)

From Autumn 2026 our head office will relocate from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre. You will be contracted to the Manchester office; however, we offer hybrid working options and you will be able to split your time between home and office.

• Pay progression scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus public holidays
• Flexi leave (up to 26 additional days per year)
• Employer pension contribution of 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.

Our two-year Graduate Scheme will enable you to gain hands‑on experience across a wide range of teams and projects. You’ll complete four six‑month rotations across different directorates of the ICO, giving you a broad understanding of our work and helping you discover where your strengths and interests lie. Although the scheme lasts two years, you’ll join on a permanent contract, offering long‑term career opportunities beyond your rotations.

Whether it’s supporting strategic initiatives, contributing to operational delivery, or helping shape policy and guidance, you’ll be at the heart of protecting people’s information rights in a digital age.

• Regulatory Policy – working on shaping guidance and policy that influences how organisations handle personal data.
• A Strategy and Support Function – contributing to organisational transformation by working with key enabling teams that drive change and innovation.
• Regulatory delivery – gaining experience in areas directly responsible for regulatory engagement and enforcement, ensuring compliance and protecting individuals’ rights.

During your time with us, you’ll have the chance to get involved in a variety of tasks, which could include:

• Conducting research and analysis, summarising findings to support decision making and to help prepare insights using appropriate tools and formats.
• Contributing to drafting a range of documents, including meeting papers, briefings, presentations, and correspondence for internal and external audiences.
• Assisting with organising meetings, preparing materials, and recording actions.
• Supporting planning, coordination and delivering projects or campaigns.
• Helping maintain accurate project documentation to support reporting and decision‑making.
• Taking part in meetings and sharing ideas.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across teams and functions.
• Helping maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Supporting with tracking risks and issues and developing responses.

These are examples of the types of work you might do—your experience will vary depending on your team and projects.

We’ll support you every step of the way with:

• Structured induction and onboarding
• On‑the‑job learning during rotations
• Access to mentoring and coaching from experienced colleagues to guide your development
• Professional development workshops to build technical and soft skills
• Networking opportunities across the ICO, including graduate cohorts, staff networks, and cross‑team projects
• Opportunities to build skills in policy, regulation, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery
• Guaranteed support to complete a qualification, starting in year two of the programme. The exact programme will be agreed in partnership, taking account of previous qualifications and career aspirations.

We’re looking for graduates who are motivated by making a positive impact and eager to learn. Curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to protecting people’s information rights are key to success at the ICO.

• You should have, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:2 degree in any discipline.
• You must have the Right to Work in the UK without requiring sponsorship.
• Strong written communication skills
• Exper…