• Job Description

  Req#: JR1537

  Closing Date:

  10/05/2024

  Group:

  Networks and Communications Group

  Management Level:

  Senior Management Specialist

  Job Type:

  Permanent

  Job Description:

  Ofcom is the UK’s independent regulator for the communications industries. Our mission is to make communications work for everyone, promoting the interests of consumers and citizens, where appropriate by fostering competition. Ofcom’s duties cover the telecoms and postal industries; broadcasting and media; social media, search and gaming; and the allocation of radio spectrum to all sectors of the economy.

  Our decisions as a regulator are central to shaping markets to promote competition and support and safeguard consumers. On telecoms a key aim is to encourage investment in new 5G and fibre networks so that the UK has access to high-quality, reliable, affordable broadband and mobile into the future. In postal markets we ensure that sustainable and affordable services are available that meet consumer needs.

  Ofcom also oversees public service broadcasting, including regulation of the BBC, ensuring that a diverse range of high-quality content is available to audiences. We set and enforce rules on impartiality, accuracy, and fairness for all licenced radio and TV. Ofcom promotes media literacy and digital inclusion to empower individuals and communities to make informed choices and fully participate in the digital world.

  Ofcom is the UK’s spectrum authority. We oversee the UK airwaves used by industries ranging from space and satellite, air traffic control and mobile telephony, as well as wireless devices like walkie-talkies, and even car keys and doorbells. Only a limited amount of radio spectrum is available, so it must be managed carefully, meeting needs from a number of industries and users and ensuring that interference and disruption is managed.

  Ofcom has just taken on a new role as the online safety regulator, charged with creating a safer life online for UK users of social media, search, gaming and pornography services. As communications are increasingly global, Ofcom works closely with international institutions and regulators to share knowledge on how our sectors are evolving and how those developments might influence our work.

  Ofcom is a UK-wide regulator, independent of Government. We are accountable to Parliament and - through the courts - to the public and the industries we regulate.

  The role:

  This role is the Group Director for Networks and Communications, with overall responsibility for all Ofcom's work on telecoms and post. This includes telecoms security and tackling scams, as well ensuring the operation of fair and efficient markets for mobile and broadband, and the sustainability of postal services.

  The overriding aim of the Networks and Communications Group is to ensure internet we can rely on. We do this by setting rules to promote competition and investment in mobile and broadband. This includes economic regulation of companies with Significant Market Power including Openreach and KCOM. We also have a strong programme to ensure fairness for customers. Over the past few years Ofcom has introduced new rules including automatic end-of-contract notifications for mobile and broadband and one-touch switching, as well as voluntary agreements on social tariffs.

  The Group also ensures the resilience and reliability of the UK national telecoms infrastructure and major networks by monitoring and assessing the security of operators’ networks and services, in accordance with the recent Telecoms Security Act. We do this job in close partnership with Government and the security agencies. We increasingly look widely across all the key networks which underpin the digital economy – for example we recently concluded a market study into cloud services. On post we are currently running large-scale engagement on the future of the universal letter service, alongside holding Royal Mail to account for performance.

  
  The work of the 145-strong Networks and Communications Group is diverse and of national economic and social importance. We are just embarking on the next review of economic regulation on fixed telecoms – our rules here are currently underpinning billions of pounds of investment into fibre networks each year. The group includes policy makers, regulatory experts, engineers and technologists and works closely with experts in our Strategy, Economics and Legal and Enforcement groups.

  For more information, please visit https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom

  Key responsibilities:

  • Lead Ofcom’s Networks and Communications Group (c145 people), setting direction and ensuring the right prioritisation while inspiring and motivating the team to deliver to the highest standards. Ensure the creation of an inclusive and collaborative working environment to attract the skills and talents we need.

  • As a member of Ofcom’s Senior Management Team, and in support of our Board, develop, shape and lead Ofcom’s overall strategies for the future, working out how we use our regulatory powers to best effect and ensuring the organisation has the right skills and capabilities for our growing remit.

  • Oversee decision-making and delivery of regulation on all Ofcom’s Networks and Communications policy areas, working in close collaboration with the Spectrum, Strategy, Economist and Legal Groups. Apply personal judgement to ensure decisions are evidence-based, robust and credible and can withstand a high degree of scrutiny from a wide range of stakeholders.

  • Lead engagement and communication with Ofcom’s stakeholders for the telecoms, postal and networks industries, relevant industry and consumer bodies, Government departments, ministers and Parliamentarians, other regulators and international authorities and bodies and act as a key media spokesperson for Ofcom.

  • Personally champion Ofcom’s values of Excellence, Respect, Collaboration, Empowerment and Agility, ensuring this is experienced by colleagues in the day-to-day working of Ofcom.

  The skills, knowledge and experience you’ll need for success:

  • Strong understanding of and/or background in economic policy and regulation in these or related sectors.

  • An informed knowledge of UK networks and communications policy issues, consumer trends and opportunities.

  • Experienced at credibly representing an independent organisation at the most senior levels.

  • Demonstrable experience of sound, independent, commercially driven judgement and considered decision making in complex situations where the stakes are high – knows when to act and when not to.

  • Experience of building trusting relationships and interacting with a wide, complex and highly commercial stakeholder base.

  • Experienced and high calibre values-led leader – able to advance Ofcom’s culture, leadership and talent agenda as well as work effectively across multiple disciplines developing talent at all levels.

  • Understanding of corporate governance including working with advisory boards and groups.

  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, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability.

  Where positions are listed as full-time, if you need reduced hours, part time, job shares or any other flexibly working arrangements, please still get in touch. We champion flexible working arrangements from day one of employment and are open to discussing and accommodating various work arrangements to meet your needs.

  We strive to ensure all our recruitment information and processes are accessible and inclusive for everyone. If you require information in an alternative format or have specific preferences to support your application process, please contact our recruitment team at resourcing@ofcom.org.uk or call us on 0330 912 1378.

  As a Disability Confident employer, we offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for our advertised roles. Learn more about this scheme here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/jobs/disability-confident-scheme

• About the company

  Ofcom has wide-ranging powers across the television, radio, telecoms and postal sectors.

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