Principal Policy Adviser – AI Policy

Fixed term until March 2027

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, from Autumn 2026 our head office will relocate from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.

We are hiring a fixed term Principal Policy Adviser (PPA) for the AI Policy team at the ICO. The PPA will be contracted until the end of March 2027 and will report to the Group Manager for AI Policy.

The PPA will be part of the AI Policy team at the Technology department. This is the ICO’s centre of technology policy and technical expertise. It specialises in developing novel policy and regulatory interventions in relation to new and emerging technologies.

We are a digital regulator both internationally and domestically, consulting key decision makers on AI policy and regulation.

You will be joining us at an interesting time and will play a key role in driving forward or supporting the delivery of the AI & Biometrics Strategy launched in June 2025. You will also be feeding into a variety of AI work across the office, including advising external stakeholders on ICO’s approach to AI regulation.

The role also covers significant cross‑regulatory and international commitments, as the ICO’s policy contact into the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) and the Global Privacy Assembly (GPA), and providing briefings to support the Commissioner and CEO to inform their engagements.

The PPA will support our work on ensuring AI‑driven services and products at the forefront of innovation comply with data protection, respect individuals’ rights and bring wider benefits to society and the economy.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in influencing innovation and adoption in the AI space, while ensuring people’s rights and freedoms are protected.

• Provide expert insight regarding emerging data protection and information rights matters with a technical dimension, ensuring this expertise is deployed to anticipate issues and produce incisive policy responses.
• Lead multi‑disciplinary teams, drawing on expertise and skillsets across the ICO, to produce high‑impact policy outcomes.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders, by representing the ICO in a variety of forums, and negotiating with senior stakeholders to ensure we develop, communicate and maintain a clear approach to our policy lines.
• Provide strategic advice to the Commissioner and his senior leadership team, including the delivery of timely and high‑quality briefings.
• Proactively develop legislative and technical expertise, keeping abreast of AI developments in all information rights legislation and regulations overseen by the ICO.
• Lead fast‑paced policy projects to explore the implications of specific developments in technology and innovation in greater depth, and make recommendations on the appropriate course of action.

• 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.
• Significant relevant experience, which could have been gained from a policy, operational or corporate environment that relates to AI.
• Experience of leading successful AI‑related projects from concept to sign‑off.
• Experience of interpreting complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures.
• Excellent understanding of the AI technology, the relevant sector and its impact on individuals, including associated data protection and AI regulation and governance issues. (Also measured at interview)

• Excellent written communication skills, including the abilities to analyse complex…