Ofcom
Senior Associate, Senior Policy Advisor
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Please note this role will close at 00.01 on Monday 27 July so we advise making your application by midnight on Sunday 26 July.
About the Team
Spectrum Group is responsible for setting the long-term strategy for spectrum use in the UK, understanding demand from different stakeholders, and clearing, awarding and licensing the radio spectrum, which enables access to all types of wireless technologies: for example, TV, mobile, satellite, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and drones.
Radio spectrum is a vital resource used by almost everyone - consumers as well as businesses and it touches our lives every day. The spectrum connects our mobiles, wireless headphones, tablets and computers. It enables our key fobs to unlock our cars, satellites to measure the climate and meteorologists to forecast the weather. It also ensures that concerts and productions are seen and heard. TV and radio broadcasting would not exist without it. Without access to vital spectrum, police, fire, ambulance, the coastguard, and air traffic control would not be able to communicate.
The Spectrum Policy teams consist of around 30 colleagues – most with general policy backgrounds - who help drive the next generation of wireless solutions. We explore new trends in wireless communications and develop policies that balance different stakeholders’ needs, to enable UK consumers and industry to benefit from innovative applications and technologies.
Purpose of the Role
The successful candidate can expect to undertake a range of policy activities, including managing key projects and leading workstreams within wider programmes. Current areas of focus for the team include auctioning licences to use mobile spectrum for 5G, future 6G spectrum needs, enabling better Wi-Fi and the rapid expansion of satellite services in the UK.
You will use critical thinking skills to understand and unpack complex policy problems and think creatively and strategically to develop new spectrum management approaches and licensing solutions that balance different stakeholder needs. You will collaborate closely and lead work with internal experts to ensure our solutions are robust and evidence led and drive the development and drafting of policy consultations and decisions. You will be expected to work independently and within a team, reporting to either a Principal Policy Advisor or Director depending on project needs.
This role will involve regular collaboration across different Ofcom groups, including economists, lawyers and engineers. There will also be opportunities to work with different sectors and stakeholders, and represent Ofcom’s position to them, with an emphasis on proactive external engagement to gather new market insights to inform our policy approaches.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Your key responsibilities
Tasks will be varied and would suit an individual that takes an active approach to planning and developing projects and excels in bringing a range of individuals together to deliver as a team. This role will suit an individual who is comfortable engaging with detailed (often technical) issues that impact on policy solutions and communicating effectively both verbally and in writing with senior internal and external stakeholders.
Effective collaboration with other parts of Ofcom is critical to the role, particularly with economists, lawyers and technical specialists.
Key aspects of the role are:
- Lead policy thinking on wireless developments (market, technology and international) and their implications on spectrum related issues, liaising with colleagues across the Spectrum group and Ofcom more generally to ensure you have taken into account linkages with a wide variety of projects and policies.
- Project manage policy projects with a high degree of autonomy, working with technical colleagues to interrogate spectrum usage trends, identify underlying policy problems and build consensus towards future proof solutions.
- Collaborate with colleagues in other parts of Ofcom (including lawyers, economists, and Ofcom’s Networks and Strategy Groups) to develop and deliver policy in a timely and joined up way.
- Develop and draft policy consultations and decisions, synthesising feedback to determine how Ofcom should respond and effectively positioning of our narrative and rationale.
- Represent Ofcom externally, gathering insights from stakeholders and providing appropriate challenge to maximise the insight gained from discussions.
- Contribute to the development of new ways of managing spectrum, thinking creatively about how existing approaches can be improved and where possible simplified.
The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success
- Significant experience in policy development, either in a Government, regulator, industry body or company.
- Scanning Horizons: an ability to synthesise new information to anticipate market and technology trends and challenges, both in the UK and internationally and make sure that today’s work aligns with longer term objectives.
- Articulating ideas: first-rate communications skills, in particular the ability to explain complex policy issues clearly both in writing and orally, adapting content to suit a variety of internal and external audiences.
- Building Solutions: the ability to analyse and interpret data and evidence, and engage constructively with legal, economic and engineering specialists to come to evidence based conclusions with clear recommendations that you advocate for and drive through.
- Owning Accountabilities: delivery-focused with ability to set up and manage projects, prioritise your own and other’s resources and produce high-level deliverables on time to meet tight deadlines.
- Harmonising Work: an ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines and with a range of experts, understanding and balancing different skills to build a common goal and deliver joined up, robust policy solutions.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable Skills, Knowledge and experience
- An understanding of spectrum management principles or a broader understanding of wireless communications is helpful but can be developed over time in the role.
- An interest in economics, particularly as it relates to the management of scarce public resources and to competition policy.
- Skills and experience in strategy development and implementation.
Inclusive hiring at Ofcom
At Ofcom, our mission is clear: to make communications work for everyone. To achieve that, our people must reflect the diversity of the UK, in background, identity and experience.
We believe innovation thrives when difference is valued and everyone feels empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives. That’s why we welcome colleagues of all ethnicities and races, sexes, genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, ages, faiths and beliefs, and those with apparent and non-apparent disabilities. We value socio-economic diversity, life experience and neurodiversity too. Whether you’re a carer, a parent, a veteran, or re-entering work after time away, your voice and perspective matter here.
Flexibility is at the heart of how we work because we want you to thrive in a way that suits you best. Most roles can therefore be adapted for part-time hours, job shares, or other flexible arrangements. Learn more about our Rewards, Benefits and Wellbeing on our careers page.
Our recruitment process is intentionally designed to be open and accessible. If you need adjustments, information in a different format or an alternative way to apply, contact us at resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or 0330 912 1378.
As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role. You can read more about this commitment here.
Whoever you are, whatever your story, you belong at Ofcom.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location