Technology Policy Manager

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Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 28 April and therefore we advise getting your application by no later than midnight on Sunday 27 April.

About the team you’ll be part of

We are recruiting for two roles in the Technology Policy Team. This team helps to answer some of the most pressing questions relating to the impact of new and emerging technologies on online safety: In what circumstances is proactive detection of content necessary and proportionate? Will the advent of generative AI tools make it easier for bad actors to create harmful content? What are the best approaches to assessing and auditing algorithmic systems like age estimation technology and content moderation tools?

The Technology Policy team’s job is to help the Online Safety Group not just understand new technologies and how they interact with Online Safety objectives, but also how they impact people and how they use regulated services. In doing so, the team works closely with Ofcom’s growing cadre of technology experts, translating their extensive expertise into real world policy impact. The team also collaborates closely with other policy groups in Ofcom, as well as other regulators, ensuring that we pool knowledge and share best practice.

The purpose and scope of the roles

As a Senior Associate in the team, you will play a pivotal role in helping Ofcom understand relevant technologies and generate evidence-based approaches to some of the most complex policy issues facing society. Working within the scope of applicable legislation, you will develop and communicate coherent policy positions which uphold online services’ safety duties whilst taking account of technical limitations and proportionality concerns. You will ensure that policy advice is supported by persuasive reasoning and knowledge of the broader public policy landscape, building consensus with internal and external stakeholders as you refine relevant regulatory outputs within your remit.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the day-to-day management, delivery, and development of tech policy workstreams, working closely with the Principal leading the work.
• Work effectively, flexibly and collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to develop policy positions.
• Ensure that outputs are designed and delivered on time and to an excellent standard.
• Lead cross-functional networks and task manage others as appropriate.
• Articulate to internal governance bodies the arguments for and against different policy positions, including your own recommendation for why we should take a particular course of action.
• Proactively communicate the latest evidence and positions to internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders. This could be via presentations, short briefings, research reports, or other means.
• Build productive relationships with experts and thought leaders in the areas you oversee, including from the worlds of academia, industry, civil society, government, and regulation.
• Contribute to the culture of the Tech Policy team and the wider Online Safety Group, making it an enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding place to work.

The above list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be expected to perform different tasks as necessary.

Distressing Content Material

• Applicants should be aware that this role may include exposure to potentially distressing content and material and/or themes.
• Ofcom is committed to safeguarding our colleagues who undertake this type of work. We endeavour to reduce exposure to distressing content, material, and/or themes wherever possible. Where this isn't possible, we control the risk by ensuring that colleagues who are exposed to DCM are appropriately protected and supported. We offer a range of tailored support options, psychological screening assessments and access to specialist therapeutic support where required.

The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success.

• Executing plans - A track record of independently designing, overseeing and executing projects on time and to an outstanding standard.
• Articulating ideas - Experience of drafting high quality written outputs (e.g. policy papers) that are robust, accessible and evidence-led and excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical, legal, and policy concepts to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Forming relationships - Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work across organisational boundaries, building trust and driving collaboration across diverse teams and disciplines.
• Building solutions - Sound judgement and the ability to weigh up the available evidence to make smart and sensible recommendations in line with Ofcom’s strategic priorities.
• Empowering development - Experience of task managing others and fostering colleagues’ development.
• Enthusiasm for tech policy - A keen interest in and rich understanding of how relevant technologies are impacting policy objectives, particularly around online safety.

While no specific qualifications are required for these roles, candidates with deep knowledge of tech issues relevant to online safety – such as algorithmic assessment, encryption, or generative AI - are particularly encouraged to apply.

Ofcom has a clear mission: to make communications work for everyone. To be able to deliver on this, we want our organisation to reflect the diversity of background, experience, upbringing and thought that exists across the UK. We aim to recruit from the widest pool of candidates possible – no matter your social background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Where positions are listed as full-time, we remain open to reduced hours, part-time arrangements, job shares, and other flexible working options. From day one, we champion flexible work arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

We also warmly welcome applicants who are returning to the workforce after a break – for whatever reason. If you have taken time away and are ready to rejoin, we look forward to reviewing your application.

Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team at resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or call 0330 912 1378.

As a Disability Confident employer, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here.