Project Manager

Project Manager – Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is recruiting a Project Manager to lead digital, regulatory, operational, transformation and service improvement projects. This is an opportunity to manage high-impact projects, work with multidisciplinary teams and support the delivery of the ICO’s strategic priorities.

Job Summary

• Salary: £44,297 – £49,813 per annum
• Potential salary progression: Up to £56,082
• Location: Manchester
• Employer: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
• Job Grade: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full-time
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Reference Number: 490498
• Visa Sponsorship: Not stated in the job advert.

About the Role

The successful candidate will manage projects from initial planning through to implementation, ensuring that objectives are delivered within agreed budgets, timescales and quality standards.

Working within a strategic priority team, you will coordinate specialists across different departments, manage project risks and provide updates to senior stakeholders.

You will also select appropriate project delivery methods, including Agile, Waterfall, hybrid and iterative approaches, depending on the needs of each project.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects from planning through to implementation, ensuring agreed objectives, budgets and deadlines are achieved.
• Develop project plans and monitor progress, risks, issues, dependencies and opportunities.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across policy, regulatory, operational, legal, communications, digital, data and delivery functions.
• Provide project assurance, updates and reports to project and programme boards.
• Build strong working relationships and use negotiation and influencing skills to maintain project progress.
• Support organisational change, communications, training and stakeholder engagement.
• Coach project teams, facilitate lessons learned and improve project delivery practices.
• Use appropriate digital tools and project management methodologies to support successful delivery.

Essential Requirements

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Experience managing and delivering projects in public or private sector organisations.
• A track record of implementing projects that deliver strategic value across digital, data, regulatory or transformation areas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.
• Ability to deliver projects under strategic oversight and work with Programme Managers to maintain alignment with organisational priorities.
• Experience leading project teams, including coaching, mentoring and developing colleagues in a matrix environment.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills.
• Experience representing project interests in governance forums and supporting effective decision-making.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, including leading lessons-learned exercises and implementing recommendations.

Knowledge of regulatory or public policy environments is desirable but not essential.

Additional Requirements Assessed at Interview

Candidates should also demonstrate:

• Strong interpersonal, negotiation and relationship-building skills, including engagement with senior management.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and the ability to select suitable approaches, including Agile, Waterfall, hybrid and iterative methods.
• Understanding of portfolio governance, project assurance, reporting and decision-making.
• Good judgement and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and circumstances.
• Ability to work effectively in regulatory, policy, operational or transformation environments.

Relevant experience may have been gained through academic or vocational qualifications, professional experience or a combination of these.

Salary and Benefits

The successful candidate will receive:

• Starting salary between £44,297 and £49,813 per annum.
• Potential progression to £56,082 through the ICO’s pay progression scheme.
• Civil Service Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Opportunities to work on significant digital, regulatory and organisational transformation projects.
• A collaborative working environment focused on professional development and continuous improvement.

Security and Pre-employment Checks

Successful candidates will be required to undergo:

• Basic criminal record check or equivalent.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.
• Medical assessment.

Application and Selection Process

Applicants must submit a CV and a cover letter of no more than 1,000 words.

The cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your experience and skills meet the essential criteria for the position.

The ICO may close the vacancy early if it receives a high volume of applications, so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria will be invited to interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

Closing Date

Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Reference Number: 490498

Employer: Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Location: Manchester

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and cover letter through the official recruitment portal.

For application enquiries, contact: recruitment@ico.org.uk.