Principal Policy Adviser - Cloud Services in London

End Date: 28 May 2026

Full time / Part time

Salary: £57,815- £65,021, with potential for further progression to £73,211 on our pay progression scheme.

Location: Hybrid, Contracted to our London, Wilmslow, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office. Our Wilmslow office will be relocating to Manchester city centre from 28 September 2026; after the move your contracted office will be Circle Square, Manchester. Through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office‑based working opportunities and there will be times when you will be expected to attend the office to collaborate with colleagues or travel due to business need.

Why work for the ICO?

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus 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.

Job Summary

The Technology Department is the ICO’s hub for cutting‑edge technology expertise, leading the development of innovative policy and regulatory approaches to new and emerging technologies. Our work sits at the intersection of advanced tech and public interest, tackling complex, high‑impact challenges that shape the future of digital regulation. If you want to work at the frontier of technology and policy, this is where your impact will matter.

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

As a Principal Policy Advisor specialising in Cloud Services, you will lead the development of policy positions and regulatory guidance on cloud technologies. You will ensure that ICO policy reflects technological realities and supports compliance with UK data protection law. This role bridges technology and policy, influencing national and international standards for cloud adoption.

The ICO is an influential digital regulator both internationally and domestically, consulting key decision‑makers on technology policy. This is an opportunity for you to influence high‑impact policy and undertake work at the forefront of innovation.

You will enjoy substantial autonomy, often working directly with more senior colleagues, including members of the ICO Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, and will regularly provide advice and expertise in internal briefings and at external events and meetings. You may also work directly with external researchers or technologists, and industry fora as part of this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of ICO policy on cloud computing, including public, private, hybrid, and multi‑cloud environments.
• Draft and publish guidance, codes of practice, and policy statements on cloud‑related issues.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on the regulatory implications of cloud technologies.
• Engage with government, industry, and international bodies to shape policy and standards for cloud services.
• Monitor emerging trends (e.g. edge computing, serverless, containerisation) and assess their policy impact.
• Support investigations and enforcement actions by providing policy interpretation and advice.
• Represent the ICO at conferences, working groups, and stakeholder meetings on cloud‑related topics.
• Collaborate with technical advisors to ensure policy is informed by sound technical understanding.

Person specification

Essential Criteria Assessed at Application Stage

• Significant relevant experience, which could have been gained from a policy, operational or corporate environment.
• Experience interpreting complex information, which could include legislation or operational rules and procedures.
• 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 interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and maintain good relationships with senior stakeholders in all areas of public life and make sound judgements.

Essential Criteria Assessed During Interview

• Experience working in a technology and/or digital focused environment, with significant privacy, innovation and/or regulatory elements.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to analyse complex information and legislation, and to formulate clear and persuasive arguments for a range of audiences.
• Experience of leading successful projects from concept to sign‑off.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation skills and an ability to represent the ICO with a range of stakeholders.
• 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.

Closing Date

Please submit your CV and cover letter by 23:59, 27 May. Your cover letter should be no more than 1,000 words and should clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria for the role.

We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.