wilmslow Work Opportunities ∙ Page 1

Principal Policy Adviser – AI and Automated Decision-Making (ADM) Code of Practice

Fixed term until March 2027

Full time / Part time 

Grade: F

Salary:       £55,591 - £62,974, with potential for further progression to £70,907 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 move from Wilmslow to Manchester city centre.  

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 

We are recruiting a Principal Policy Adviser to lead the ICO’s statutory Code of Practice on AI and Automated Decision-Making (ADM). This Code will ensure that AI-driven services and automated decision-making systems comply with data protection, respect individuals’ rights and bring wider benefits to society and the economy, while translating legal requirements into clear obligations and practical guidance that provide certainty for organisations.

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

You will be accountable for planning and delivering the statutory process from start to finish – including consultation, expert input, impact assessment and Commissioner approval – and for producing a Code that commands confidence from government, industry and civil society.

This is an opportunity to take forward one of the ICO’s most significant external commitments, influencing national and international practice on AI and ADM, and ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability are embedded in systems that affect millions of people.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end development of the statutory Code of Practice, including scoping, drafting, consultation, expert panel oversight, impact assessments and approvals.
• Provide expert insight and translate UK GDPR and DPA 2018 requirements into clear, actionable provisions covering concepts such as fairness, transparency and accountability in relation to AI and ADM.
• Proactively develop legislative and technical expertise, commissioning research and analysing socio-economic and equality impacts to ensure provisions are proportionate, evidence-based and defensible.
• Produce high-quality draft code text, consultation papers, supporting guidance and implementation tools in accessible language.
• Build and maintain excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders, representing the ICO in a variety of forums, and negotiating with senior stakeholders to shape and communicate clear policy lines.
• Manage legal and delivery risks, ensure statutory requirements are met, and provide strategic advice and timely, high-quality briefings to the Commissioner and senior leadership team.
• Design the post-publication support offer (sector notes, toolkits, webinars) and define success measures and review triggers.
• Represent the ICO publicly, ensuring its approach to AI and ADM is understood and trusted in domestic and international fora.
• Work closely with legal, policy, analysis, supervision, technology and communications colleagues to ensure the Code aligns with the ICO’s wider regulatory strategy.

Person specification 

Essential criteria assessed at application stage:

• 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
• Experience of working in a technology and/or digital focused environment, with significant privacy, innovation and/or regulatory elements.
• Experience of leading successful projects from concept to sign-off.
• Experience of interpreting complex information which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures.

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• Excellent written communication skills, including the abilities to analyse complex information and legislation, and to formulate clear and persuasive arguments for a range of audiences.
• Excellent understanding of the technology sector and internet economy, including associated data protection and internet safety issues. 
• Strong understanding of the wider parliamentary, democratic, political and regulatory framework in the UK and overseas.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills and an ability to represent the ICO with a range of stakeholders. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior stakeholders in all areas of public life and make sound judgements.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

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 [email protected] . 

Closing Date 

Please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your suitability to the role by 23:59, 28 September   

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. 

In the event of a high volume of applications, we may not be able to invite all candidates who meet the minimum criteria to interview. However, we encourage you stay in touch and apply for future roles that match your interests.

All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and apply in-line with our guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be interviewed.