Policy Project Manager

Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Wednesday 11 June, and therefore we advise getting your application in no later than midnight on Tuesday 10 June. We are looking for multiple project managers on either a 12 month FTC or potentially a permanent basis.

About Ofcom: As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work that helps keep the UK connected and shapes the future of how we’ll stay connected with each other. Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to TV, radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We’re also taking on the challenge of making the online world a safer place. We need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our goal of making communications work for everyone.

About the team you’ll be part of: We are looking to recruit Project Managers across two groups within Ofcom, our Online Safety Group (OSG) and our Broadcasting and Media Group (BMG). The Online Safety Group’s purpose is to ensure UK citizens have a safer life online by implementing and overseeing the requirements under the Online Safety Act 2023. The Group is responsible for delivering online safety policy, supervising online services, and building technical expertise to meet the regime’s aims. The roles within OSG are in the Online Safety Policy Development team. The Policy Development team lead the development of Ofcom’s online safety policies which establish steps services should take to make users safer online. The Broadcasting and Media Group in Ofcom supports one of the most diverse, creative and vibrant media industries in the world. We’re passionate about making sure TV, radio and streaming services continue to create the varied and innovative content audiences across the UK enjoy. The roles with BMG will help drive forward policy projects within our programme of work implementing the Media Act 2024. Both teams work closely with cross functional colleagues from other teams in the organisation to use their skills and experience to develop robust policy.

The purpose and scope of the role: Project Managers, on a day-to-day basis, will work closely with the relevant Principal and Director responsible for a specific policy space. For OSG, this is likely to be either delivering our Phase 3 workstream or the Fraudulent Advertising codes. For BMG, this will likely involve delivering projects related to our new duties, including a requirement to put in place new regulations for online TV prominence and voice assistants, as well as a novel standards-setting code for streaming services. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day management of specific projects, including planning, structuring, delivery and co-ordination of our ambitious work in these areas. You will need to intelligently harness individual strengths and support the co-ordination of a diverse set of colleagues from within the project team and other cross functional areas, facilitating cross team working, encouraging practical delivery schedules, unblocking issues, and reporting an honest assessment of progress. As the lead Project Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring our work is delivered to a high standard, in an efficient and timely manner. In doing this role effectively, you will need to consider how to manage risks and issues, plan resources effectively, as well as managing internal and external stakeholders as needed.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day management, delivery, and development of our online safety project work.
• Provide proactive support to the project team in coordination and delivery of milestones, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Facilitate and assist detailed planning for all workstreams, creating realistic resourcing plans, and identifying critical dependencies.
• Make honest assessments of progress and identify where intervention is needed.
• Challenge workstreams to find opportunities to accelerate progress, deliver early benefits, and mitigate risks.
• Lead regular check-ins with workstreams to surface and resolve key issues/blockers and create a sense of urgency, clarity and common cause.
• Create a safe environment for colleagues to call out if they aren’t getting what they need to progress and ensure teams understand the plan and the impact if their activity slips.
• Clearly identify and track milestones reported to key stakeholders and Senior Management, managing issues and risks as they occur including escalating when appropriate.
• Coordinating and ensuring the effective provision of project management support to the project team.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with the policy team and other cross functional colleagues.

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

• A proven background in managing successful policy projects.
• Experience of delivering projects in Ofcom or in a regulatory environment would be an advantage.
• A practical understanding of project management tools and methodologies.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft 365 products.
• Building Solutions: Identify and solve complex issues, using evidence-based methods to gather insights and develop well-founded solutions.
• Scanning Horizons: Grasp the bigger picture, foresee upcoming trends and challenges, and ensure actions and decisions are in sync with long-term objectives.
• Executing Plans: Organise tasks and set clear goals, managing resources wisely, while keeping an eye on progress.
• Embracing Change: Remain flexible in the face of change, anticipating and adjusting to shifts.
• Owning Accountabilities: Take responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their outcomes.
• Forming Relationships: Build and nurture positive relationships with people inside and outside the organisation.
• Harmonising Work: Work effectively with others, creating an honest team environment and sharing valuable information and resources.
• Articulating Ideas: Express your ideas, thoughts, and information in a clear and concise manner, ensuring messages are understood by everyone.
• Channelling Influence: Guide opinions and decisions with compelling communication and persuasion techniques, looking to get everyone on the same game plan.

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.