Ofcom
Senior Policy and Delivery Advisor - Space and Innovation
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Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Sunday 18 October, and therefore we advise getting your application in by no later than midnight on Saturday 17 October.
About Ofcom
As the UK’s communications regulator, we’re delivering vital work to make communications work for everyone.
Our work covers everything from phones and broadband, through to online safety, TV and radio, the postal service, and wireless devices. We need people of all backgrounds, skill sets, and experiences to help us achieve our ambitions on behalf of the British public.
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 Space Spectrum Authorisation and Policy team consist of around 30 colleagues –comprising a mix of policy, regulatory and licensing roles. We help to create and update the authorisations that enable access to spectrum for innovative services in the UK, including in the satellite, drones and maritime sector.
Purpose of the Role
The successful candidate can expect to undertake a range of activities to support innovative access to spectrum, with a particular focus on the space and satellite sector where new services and technologies are emerging at a rapid pace.
This role will:
- Provide policy and delivery leadership on new requests for spectrum access for innovative satellite/space services. You will lead a range of specialist colleagues to assess new requests, identify how new services can be enabled and issue appropriate authorisations, including policy consultations in some cases;
- Coordinate Spectrum Group’s engagement with space stakeholders, including leading engagement on new requests.
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You will be organised and effectively lead groups of colleagues to deliver to timelines, using attention to detail and clear stakeholder engagement to identify and resolve issues. You will work closely with a range of colleagues including economists, lawyers and engineers to assess requests and ensure applicants have met requirements where relevant. You will drive the development and drafting of internal decision notes, and external consultations and decisions in some cases. You will be expected to work independently and within a team, reporting to a Principal Policy Advisor.
There will 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.
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 also 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 and project manage end to end licensing processes for innovative new technologies with a high degree of autonomy, working with technical colleagues, economists and lawyers to interrogate applications, identify potential policy problems and solutions to grant authorisations in a timely way.
- Where relevant, develop and draft policy consultations and decisions, considering responses in determining whether Ofcom should grant a licence.
- Stakeholder engagement - collaborate with colleagues in other parts of Ofcom (including policy, authorisation, international) to understand stakeholder’s needs, coordinate engagement and identify where we need to be consistent with our approach and communications. As part of this you would help to manage Spectrum Group’s overall relationships with key space stakeholders, leading engagement on our licensing processes and helping to share trends and information across the wider policy and operational functions.
- Consider how policy and procedures might be improved to simplify the application process for both applicants and Ofcom.
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The skills, knowledge and experience you will need for success
- Empowering Development: Leads, mentors, and motivates colleagues while ensuring accountability and embedding best practice in line with organisational policies.
- 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.
- Articulating Ideas: first-rate communications skills, in particular the ability to explain complex issues clearly both in writing and orally, adapting content to suit a variety of audiences.
- Experience in project management or policy development working in government, regulation or a relevant sector.
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.
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.
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