Principal Policy Adviser – Cloud Services

Salary: £57,815‑£65,021, with potential for further progression to £73,211 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. Once the move takes place 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?

• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and 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.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website.

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.

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 of 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 (also measured at interview).
• Strong understanding of the wider parliamentary, democratic, political and regulatory framework in the UK and overseas (also measured at interview).
• 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 (also measured at interview).

Essential criteria assessed during interview:

• Experience of working in a technology and/or digital focused environment, with significant privacy, innovation and/or regulatory elements.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the abilities 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. Read more about our commitment on our website.

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme. 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. All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and apply in‑line with our guaranteed interview scheme for disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be interviewed. If you are disabled or have an impairment and require an alternative application method, please email the HR team at recruitment@ico.org.uk.

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.