Director of Communications
Salary: £91,276 – £104,513 pa (potential to progress to £117,748 pa). Location: Hybrid, contracted to Wilmslow or London office, relocating to Manchester from 28 September 2026.
We are looking for an exceptional Director of Communications to lead a modern, high‑performing communications function at the heart of the ICO. Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs, you will set a clear, ambitious vision for communications and ensure it is embedded early in organisational decision‑making.
Your focus will be on impact, insight and outcomes, using communications as a core regulatory tool. You will advise the Executive Team on sensitive and high‑profile issues, shape how the ICO explains its role and decisions, and strengthen understanding, trust and compliance.
Responsibilities
- Set and lead the ICO’s communications strategy, aligned to regulatory objectives and corporate priorities.
- Position communications as a strategic asset, shaping behaviour, supporting compliance and reinforcing the ICO’s authority.
- Provide senior counsel on reputational, sensitive and high‑profile issues, including crisis readiness and response.
- Lead insight‑driven, measurable communications, grounded in audience understanding, data and evaluation.
- Champion digital‑first, modern communications practice, encouraging creativity, innovation and pace with appropriate governance.
- Own and shape the ICO’s overarching corporate narrative, building public confidence in information rights and regulation.
- Build strong internal and external relationships, including with senior leaders, partners and media.
- Lead and develop a high‑performing, inclusive communications function, building capability and confidence at every level.
- Manage resources, budgets and agencies to ensure value for money and maximum impact.
Essential Criteria
- Significant experience leading large, multi‑disciplinary communications and engagement teams in a public sector or a similarly scrutinised environment.
- Proven experience advising senior leaders on complex, sensitive and reputationally significant communications issues.
- Experience managing resources and budgets, including commissioning and working with agencies to enhance delivery.
- Insight‑driven approach: strong understanding of audience insight, evaluation and performance measurement.
Additional Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable ability to use communications to shape outcomes – influencing understanding, behaviour, trust or organisational effectiveness.
- Experience setting and delivering communications strategy across multiple disciplines (media, digital, campaigns, stakeholder or events).
- Experience leading and developing senior managers and building high‑performing, confident teams.
- Strategic judgement and influence: able to engage confidently with senior leaders, provide challenge, and secure buy‑in across an organisation.
- Leadership presence: credible, calm and authoritative, particularly in high‑pressure or high‑profile situations.
- Digital and modern communications literacy: able to lead digital‑first thinking, creativity and innovation at a senior level.
- Excellent communication skills: able to distil complex or technical issues into clear, trusted and accessible messages.
- Inclusive leadership: ability to develop talent, support diversity of thinking and create an environment where people can perform at their best.
- Experience leading communications transformation or capability uplift.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion. We guarantee an interview to candidates who identify as belonging to an ethnic minority background and who meet the minimum criteria, and to candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria as part of our Disability Confident Scheme. If you have a disability or impairment and require an alternative application method, please contact the recruitment team.
Clearance Required
Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
Closing Date
Please submit your CV and cover letter by 23:59 Tuesday 2 June. The cover letter should be no more than 1,000 words and clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria.
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