Overview
Principal, International (Online Safety) – London
Closing Date:
04/11/2025
Group:
Strategy and Research Group
Management Level:
Principal
Job Type:
Permanent
Job Description:
Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Tuesday 4 November, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Monday 3 November.
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. And 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
The role sits within Ofcom’s International Team.
The International Team is responsible for managing Ofcom’s engagement with our counterpart regulators, academia, governments, and civil society organisations around the world.
We exchange views and share best practices on all issues of relevance to Ofcom, such as media regulation, online safety, network resilience and digital markets.
We use these international insights to inform how we design and apply regulation in the UK, and to support Ofcom’s regulatory thinking and horizon-scanning work. We also share our expertise with international partners and seek to contribute to regulatory developments in the sectors that matter to us.
We represent Ofcom globally, including through holding leadership roles in a variety of European and global forums.
The purpose and scope of the role
You will work within the International Team’s online safety pod.
Leading a team of three senior associates, you will oversee delivery of Ofcom’s international online safety strategy. This includes delivery of the international components of Ofcom’s policy and supervision work, and representing the International Team in organisational strategy and planning workstreams related to Ofcom’s overarching online safety work.
The purpose of this role is to:
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Provide strategic international input, challenge and context to Ofcom’s own policy and supervision work, and ensure that Ofcom’s domestic work is enriched by international regulatory evidence, experience, and expertise.
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Lead on Ofcom’s efforts to co-create international standards, norms, and understandings on key topics within online safety regulation, with international partners and policy stakeholders.
Your Key Responsibilities
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Ensure the International Online Safety team’s work is aligned with and supportive of Ofcom’s online safety objectives, including through participation in strategic planning and resourcing workstreams.
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Leading the implementation of Ofcom’s international online safety strategy and coordinating the international engagements of senior and working-level colleagues, to ensure our international work supports delivery of Ofcom’s strategic priorities.
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Leading a team of three motivated and impactful colleagues, providing support, guidance, and feedback to ensure they deliver on their objectives and grow in their roles.
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Representing International Team equities in internal strategic planning workstreams, and ensuring the International Team’s work is well understood internally.
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Representing Ofcom in international engagements, including meetings, workshops, and conferences with other regulators and policy stakeholders.
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Establishing new relationships and cultivating existing ones with regulators, policymakers, civil society, and academia internationally, to enhance cross-border regulatory coherence and facilitate the sharing of best practices.
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Translating intelligence on international online safety regulatory developments into strategic inputs to Ofcom’s online safety work.
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Ensuring international considerations are at the heart of Ofcom’s policy development and supervision work, by working with and alongside internal project teams.
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Working closely with others in the International Team who lead on adjacent areas (content/broadcasting, internet/tech and digital markets), to identify and capitalise on cross-sector regulatory synergies.
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Working flexibly within the International Team on a range of other policy issues, as required.
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Contributing to internal management activities of the broader International Team, in support of the International Team Director.
The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success
We are looking for a proactive and enthusiastic individual with a can-do attitude, who will thrive working as part of a diverse team and in a fast-paced environment.
We expect that you possess:
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Expertise in online regulation, with an understanding of the wider regulatory and public policy debates, and the ability to master new areas quickly
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A good understanding of the UK regulatory environment and how Ofcom’s international work contributes to the achievement of its strategic objectives;
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An eye for the strategic implications of international political and policy developments, including the ability to spot opportunities and risks for Ofcom’s policy development
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Executing Plans: Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage a varied and demanding workload, to prioritise, and to problem-solve;
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Forming Relationships: Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, including cultural awareness, so that you can establish and maintain good working relationships internally and externally, particularly with regulators and stakeholders in other countries.
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Empowering Development: Experience in managing colleagues and providing strategic leadership to highly motivated teams.
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Building Solutions: Strong and demonstrated analytical skills, that ensure you can work through complex issues and identify strategic implications;
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Articulating Ideas: A demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently to a variety of audiences, both orally and in written form;
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Extensive experience briefing and interacting with senior executives; and,
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Owning Accountabilities: The ability to work independently, identifying new areas of work proactively and seeking guidance whenever it is needed, as well as the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
Inclusivity Statement
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, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. 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.
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. You can read more about our Rewards, Benefits and Well-being on our careers page.
Our recruitment processes prioritise accessibility and inclusivity. If you need adjustments, information in an alternative format, or prefer to apply in a different way, please contact us at resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or call 0330 912 1378.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet essential criteria for advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here. https://careers.ofcom.org.uk/careers/how-we-hire/
