Principal, Online Safety Research & Intelligence

Requirements of the role

Ofcom’s mission is to make communications work for everyone. We regulate broadband, mobile services, postal services, TV and radio, and the airwaves used by wireless devices. Under the 2023 Online Safety Act (OSA), we became the UK’s online safety regulator.

The Research and Intelligence (R&I) team delivers insight across the markets Ofcom regulates. We provide the robust evidence base that underpins our decisions, drawing on a diverse mix of expertise from industry analysts, market researchers, and data specialists. As we build the online safety regime, the team continues to grow, developing innovative approaches to track and understand online harms.

Our culture reflects Ofcom’s values: Empowerment, Excellence, Collaboration, Agility and Respect.

Purpose of the Role

This is a leadership role in the Online Hub within Ofcom’s R&I team. The postholder will be instrumental in delivering high-impact work on online safety, leading a team of analysts and researchers and overseeing complex cross-cutting programmes. You will design and manage projects that collect and analyse data from and about regulated online services in support Ofcom’s evidence-based regulatory approach.

You will play a visible external role, representing Ofcom in the online safety research community and building relationships with regulated services and third-party researchers. Internally, you’ll collaborate with senior colleagues from policy, legal, economics, supervision and enforcement teams to drive shared outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Lead major programmes of work in the Online Hub, including third-party data analysis, online safety triage, and formal information-gathering and analysis.

Collaborate with peers to set direction for new research projects and lead them through governance, resourcing, and publication.

Co-lead the development of new approaches for monitoring and evaluating large and high-risk platforms in support of Ofcom’s online safety supervision function.

Drive strategy development and prioritisation across cross-functional teams and with the wider Online Safety Programme.

Leadership responsibilities include:

Providing subject matter expertise on online platforms, online harms, research methodologies, and regulatory requirements.

Leading cross-cutting workstreams and aligning projects with Ofcom’s strategic goals.

Building and maintaining strong relationships with the online safety research community to ensure our work reflects external developments and best practices.

Scaling and adapting programmes of work as the regulatory environment evolves, ensuring resources and capabilities match Ofcom’s ambitions.

Supporting strategy and planning across the wider online safety programme.

Management responsibilities include:

Co-leading the Online Hub (~60 people), including setting team strategy and resource management.

Line management of Senior Associates and Associates, focusing on coaching, performance, and professional development.

Contributing to the broader Research & Intelligence management team to improve operations, team culture, and delivery processes.

Note: While this role does not routinely involve exposure to harmful content, some exposure may occur due to the nature of the work. Ofcom provides support to manage this where needed.

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