Director of Communications in Manchester

You will lead an integrated, in‑house communications function of around 30 people, supported by two senior managers, covering media, digital, social, strategic communications and engagement. Your focus will be on impact, insight and outcomes, using communications as a core regulatory tool. This is a senior leadership role with real influence, advising the Executive Team on sensitive and high‑profile issues, shaping how the ICO explains its role and decisions, and ensuring communications strengthen understanding, trust and compliance.

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.

• Setting and leading the ICO’s communications strategy, aligned to regulatory objectives and corporate priorities.
• Positioning communications as a strategic asset, shaping behaviour, supporting compliance and reinforcing the ICO’s authority.
• Providing senior counsel on reputational, sensitive and high‑profile issues, including crisis readiness and response.
• Leading insight‑driven, measurable communications, grounded in audience understanding, data and evaluation.
• Championing digital‑first, modern communications practice, encouraging creativity, innovation and pace with appropriate governance.
• Owning and shaping the ICO’s overarching corporate narrative, building public confidence in information rights and regulation.
• Building strong internal and external relationships, including with senior leaders, partners and media.
• Leading and developing a high‑performing, inclusive communications function, building capability and confidence at every level.
• Managing resources, budgets and agencies to ensure value for money and maximum impact.

You will be a senior communications leader with a strong track record in high‑profile, highly scrutinised environments. You will bring credibility, judgement and presence, particularly when operating under pressure.

• 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.

• A 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.

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.

Guarantee of interview for candidates who identify as belonging from an ethnic minority background and who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy. As part of the ICO’s commitment to our EDI objectives and creating a workplace that represents the communities and societies we serve, we guarantee an interview to candidates who declare they identify as belonging from an ethnic minority background and who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy.

If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at recruitment@ico.org.uk.