Group Director, Online Safety

At the end of 2023, Ofcom took on the regulation of tech platforms, following the passing of the UK’s new Online Safety Act, a highly ambitious piece of legislation which places a much wider duty of care on global social media, search and gaming companies to protect their UK users from harm. We are now looking for an exceptional individual to lead the next phase of this groundbreaking work as we aim to build a safer life online.

The Group Director for Online Safety will shape and lead this work, which represents the biggest expansion of Ofcom’s remit since we were first set up in 2003. We already have more than 400 people across the organisation working on online safety, and over the next three to five years our task is to turn the new legislation into reality. The Group Director will lead a team of online policy and technology specialists to finalise detailed codes of practice and drive concrete change across the 150,000 companies in scope of the new rules. There is a strong international element to this role – a big part of the job involves collaboration and partnership with other regulators, both in the UK and overseas.

The Group Director will be a key member of Ofcom’s senior management team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. The role holder will bring a good understanding of the business models, technology and consumer issues in the online sector, and the credibility and ability to inspire the regulated entities to create the changes required. He/she will be an empowering leader, who can take people with them and make the most of the fantastic skill and talent we have already recruited across Ofcom, including in our legal, research, enforcement and economics functions as well as those in the Online Safety Group itself.

There has never been a more exciting time to join Ofcom. This is a unique chance to shape the way social media services are developed globally, through UK regulation. You will be joining and leading a strong and highly motivated team that is determined to make a difference. If you have the skills and experience we are seeking, and most importantly, a passion to make the online world a safer place, we welcome your application. We prize the creation of a diverse and inclusive workforce, so that we can truly represent and work on behalf of people across the whole of the UK.

Ofcom has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information about the position and how to apply, please visit: www.rraresponses.com. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7th October 2024.