About the Agency
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. Our Communications and Engagement Directorate is a high‑performing, award‑winning team that puts patients and the public at the heart of everything we do. This role sits within the Communications team, which leads on external affairs, strategic communications, planning, insight and evaluation.
About the Role
The Head of External Affairs is a senior leadership role with significant visibility and influence across the Agency and externally. You will provide strategic advice and leadership to ensure the MHRA’s external engagement supports delivery of our corporate priorities and strengthens our reputation.
You will lead a newly established External Affairs team and be responsible for creating and delivering an integrated, insight‑led external affairs strategy. The role spans strategic stakeholder engagement, public affairs and external advocacy, with a strong focus on building confidence, nurturing critical relationships and enhancing MHRA’s influence across government, industry, academia and public interest groups.
Success will be measured through the quality and impact of stakeholder relationships, the use of insight to inform Agency activity, and the contribution of external engagement to organisational outcomes and reputation.
The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, with occasional travel to South Mimms, Hertfordshire or other locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the External Affairs team, setting a clear strategic direction and fostering collaboration, high performance and professional development.
- Develop and oversee the MHRA’s external affairs and stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring alignment with Agency priorities and effective coordination across the organisation.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with influential external stakeholders across government, the health and life sciences sectors, academia and patient groups.
- Plan and deliver high‑profile external engagement activity, including events, roundtables and consultations, working closely with internal colleagues.
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience, including leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Substantial experience delivering complex external affairs programmes and projects.
- Demonstrable ability to understand stakeholder needs and translate insight into effective organisational action.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with confidence to engage, challenge and advise at senior levels.
- Strong planning, project management and problem‑solving skills, with an ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities.
Position Availability
This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non‑departmental public bodies who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Work Arrangement
Full‑time, permanent. We are implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site, up to 12 days as business needs require.
Additional Information
Closing date: 19th May 2026. Shortlisting starts 20th May 2026. Interview scheduled 3rd June 2026.
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. Our Communications and Engagement Directorate is a high‑performing, award‑winning team that puts patients and the public at the heart of everything we do. This role sits within the Communications team, which leads on external affairs, strategic communications, planning, insight and evaluation.
About the Role
The Head of External Affairs is a senior leadership role with significant visibility and influence across the Agency and externally. You will provide strategic advice and leadership to ensure the MHRA’s external engagement supports delivery of our corporate priorities and strengthens our reputation.
You will lead a newly established External Affairs team and be responsible for creating and delivering an integrated, insight‑led external affairs strategy. The role spans strategic stakeholder engagement, public affairs and external advocacy, with a strong focus on building confidence, nurturing critical relationships and enhancing MHRA’s influence across government, industry, academia and public interest groups.
Success will be measured through the quality and impact of stakeholder relationships, the use of insight to inform Agency activity, and the contribution of external engagement to organisational outcomes and reputation.
The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU, with occasional travel to South Mimms, Hertfordshire or other locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the External Affairs team, setting a clear strategic direction and fostering collaboration, high performance and professional development.
- Develop and oversee the MHRA’s external affairs and stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring alignment with Agency priorities and effective coordination across the organisation.
- Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with influential external stakeholders across government, the health and life sciences sectors, academia and patient groups.
- Plan and deliver high‑profile external engagement activity, including events, roundtables and consultations, working closely with internal colleagues.
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven senior leadership experience, including leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
- Substantial experience delivering complex external affairs programmes and projects.
- Demonstrable ability to understand stakeholder needs and translate insight into effective organisational action.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with confidence to engage, challenge and advise at senior levels.
- Strong planning, project management and problem‑solving skills, with an ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities.
Position Availability
This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non‑departmental public bodies who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners’ rules.
Work Arrangement
Full‑time, permanent. We are implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site, up to 12 days as business needs require.
Additional Information
Closing date: 19th May 2026. Shortlisting starts 20th May 2026. Interview scheduled 3rd June 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr…