Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 22nd July and therefore we advise getting your application by no later than midnight on Sunday 21st July.

Location: Manchester, hybrid

About Ofcom

Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day. We make sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.

Our culture is clear – we live by our values: Empowerment; Excellence; Collaboration; Agility and Respect. These define how we work to deliver our purpose, now and in the future. The behaviours which support these values set the path for a fully inclusive and innovative culture at Ofcom.

We focus not only on what we do, but how we do it. We pride ourselves on being an organisation of people who genuinely care about helping others.

About the team you'll be part of

This role sits within the policy team, as part of the wider Networks and Communications Group. Our role is to help ensure the communications services we use every day and rely on for nearly everything we do work in the best interests of customers.

As far as possible we do this by promoting competition in the industries we regulate, to help drive innovation and make sure people and businesses can get the services they need. We are also focused on protecting customers using broadband, mobile and other digital communications services.

Policy making forms a critical part of what we do at Ofcom. Colleagues in our team work closely with other teams across Ofcom, other regulators, Government, and a range of external stakeholders to address problems that affect people or businesses across the UK, designing options and solutions to help solve them. We work on dynamic issues, shaping and influencing some of Ofcom's key policy decisions.

Purpose of the Role

This is an important role leading the development of policy in communications markets. Policy Principals in the Networks and Communications Group lead a portfolio of policy projects, working collaboratively with other teams across Ofcom and a range of external stakeholders. They provide direction for multi-disciplinary project teams, including economists, lawyers and technology experts, and are collectively responsible for delivering our group work programme. The role combines strong analytical skills with a broad understanding of competition issues, consumer needs and market dynamics in the communications sector.

Your key responsibilities

We are looking for experienced policy professionals with a track record of leading complex projects, delivering effectively through others, producing clear accessible documents and effectively managing stakeholder relationships. Key responsibilities include:

• Responsible for the delivery of a range of policy projects and programmes in telecoms, postal and digital markets.
• Provide direction on the analytical approaches and resources required to deliver successful outcomes, focusing on where we can most make a difference for citizens and consumers.
• Influence thinking across the organisation by building strong relationships and bringing a balanced perspective, including awareness of commercial dynamics.
• Advocate the interests of citizens and consumers with external stakeholders, including industry, Government and consumer bodies.
• People management responsibilities, helping colleagues to get the most out of their career at Ofcom by supporting their wellbeing, development and career progression.
• Promote corporate initiatives that make a positive difference to how we work as a group and organisation.
• Act as a role model, actively demonstrating Ofcom’s values of excellence, collaboration, agility, empowerment and respect.

The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success:

• Experience of working in our sectors and on competition or consumer policy issues.
• Ability to manage and develop colleagues so they can reach their potential, both as a career and performance manager and a leader of project teams.
• Strong editorial skills to ensure that all documents are drafted in a clear and accessible way.
• Building solutions: Lead policy development, including setting direction and overseeing contributions from all members of your team (including specialists), to ensure high- quality analysis, in a proactive way and with minimal supervision.
• Executing plans: Ability to form, lead and motivate successful project teams to deliver complex programmes and projects.
• Articulating ideas: Can communicate complex and contentious subjects clearly to different audiences, including leading discussions with senior colleagues.
• Forming relationships: Quickly build and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

At Ofcom we prioritise inclusive and diverse recruitment in order to truly reflect the society we represent.

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 of employment. We warmly welcome applications from candidate returning to work after a break – for whatever reason.

As a disability confident employer, we offer interviews to any disabled applicant who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about the scheme here.

If you need information in an alternative format or have specific preferences, please contact our recruitment team.