Scientific Policy Manager

Job summary

We are looking for a Scientific Policy Manager to lead on and support a wide range of policy-related work.

The Scientific Policy Manager is the scientific and clinical functions lead in the Policy Team, managing policy projects and leading on the provision of scientific policy advice both internally and externally. The Scientific Policy Manager is the main advisory contact for policy support and briefing on scientific and clinical matters for the Chair, Authority members, and senior management. This includes the ongoing work to consider and influence how the HFE Act could be updated in response to scientific developments.

This post reports to the Head of Regulatory Policy (job share role) and line manages the Policy Manager.

Full-time/part-time (ideally not less than 0.8 FTE) applications and secondment requests (supported by the applicants’ seconding organisation) are welcome for this role.

Start date: As soon as possible

Interview date: Tuesday 25 March 2025

Please note: It is anticipated that interviews will take place in person. If required, arrangements can be made for interviews to take place over Microsoft Teams video call.

Main duties of the job

The Scientific Policy Manager will work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the HFEA’s scientific policies focus on improving the quality of treatment and research, and that these policies are communicated effectively.

A key part of this role is overseeing the HFEA’s scientific and clinical horizon scanning function and management of the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC). This includes oversight of meeting agendas and logistics, and drafting, reviewing, and presenting committee papers, liaising with the Chair and committee members, and reviewing minutes.

Job responsibilities

1. Initiate and project manage policy projects and reviews, taking them from scoping and planning to making policy recommendations to the Authority.

2. Have oversight of the HFEA’s scientific and clinical horizon scanning function and report internally to the Authority on this area. This includes oversight of an annual (summer) international horizon-scanning meeting.

3. Have oversight of the management of the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) and coordinating its work, including oversight of meeting agendas and logistics, and drafting, reviewing, and presenting committee papers.

4. Be the main advisory contact for policy support and briefing on scientific and clinical matters for the Chair, Authority members, and senior management.

5. Develop policy positions and influence stakeholders.

6. Represent the Authority at conferences, seminars, and external working groups, presenting as required.

7. Build and maintain good relationships with stakeholders and provide guidance and information on scientific and clinical matters externally.

8. Support HFEA’s communications function including drafting briefings, articles, and speech writing, as required.

9. Reply to often complex enquiries from patients, professionals, and the public, and draft answers to Parliamentary Questions or Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs) concerning Authority policy and scientific issues.

10. Line manage the Policy Manager.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Experience or involvement in policy or patient care and safety work, preferably in a regulatory context.
• Experience of producing evidence-based guidance.
• Experience of managing projects.
• Experience of undertaking scientific literature searches or review of research publications.
• Experience of managing committees.
• Experience of building and maintaining good relationships with stakeholders, and influencing them.
• Good written and oral communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience of working closely with senior staff and boards.
• Experience of line management.

Qualifications

Essential

• Education to at least degree level or equivalent in a biological or clinical subject, or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• Project management qualification.
• Some awareness of data-driven technologies including AI.
• Knowledge or experience of legal, ethical, and scientific issues surrounding fertility treatment and research.

Managing work

Essential

• Strong time management skills and an ability to be flexible and proactive, and use initiative to prioritise workload.
• Excellent organisational skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully.
• An ability to remain calm under pressure and to be resilient.

Employer details

Employer name:

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Address:

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ

Employer’s website: #J-18808-Ljbffr