External Affairs Specialist

Description

We are currently looking for an External Affairs Specialist to join our Communications and Engagement Function within the Enablement group.

This is a full-time opportunity on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites. We are implementing a flexible hybrid way of working with a minimum of 8 days per month on site to enable collaboration with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs and can flex up to 12 days a month with the remainder of time worked remotely or in the office. Some roles will require more regular on-site presence.

Who are we

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 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.

The MHRA Communications and Engagement Function is a multi-award-winning team with a track-record of achievement and value for money. Our focus is to support the agency to deliver its business outcomes by putting patients and the public at the centre of all our work. We are organised in the following teams: News and Media Communications, Patient and Public Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the MHRA’s newly established External Affairs team within our Communications and Engagement function. We recognise that strategic engagement has never been more important as traditional news sources evolve.

The core purpose of the External Affairs function is to build relationships with priority audiences and trusted advocates to provide credible voices that can rise above the noise and to ensure influential voices are advocates for the MHRA in the agency’s decision-making.

Whats the role

The External Affairs Specialist will help shape effective external affairs strategies for developments in health and life sciences.

The post-holder will lead communications and stakeholder engagement strategies to deliver important public health messages, strengthen our reputation, and inform wider agency decision-making.

Key responsibilities

• Act as a lead communications specialist and develop and deliver communication strategies to identify and inform priority external stakeholders in a managed way.
• Provide expert advice on external affairs and stakeholder engagement, giving high-quality strategic counsel to senior leaders across the agency.
• Proactively build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of corporate objectives.
• Leverage communications opportunities identified through monitoring of the external landscape and feed insight into communications planning.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill demonstrate the following:

Ability to quickly understand a complex business and political environment.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral with the ability to accurately and confidently communicate, influence and challenge staff and external contacts at all levels.

Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques.

Excellent experience in engaging and mapping out key stakeholders to communicate key messages.

Proven experience of working well under pressure and at pace and ability to strategically maintain a number of communication channels.

Selection Process

We use Civil Service Success Profiles to assess candidates. Online application form includes questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Ensure all application questions are completed in full; applications may not be considered if responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind and hiring managers will not access CV during review.

Additional information: a presentation may be required as part of the interview. Interviews may include questions based on Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. In the event of high applications, an initial sift may be based on the lead criterion of Communicating and Influencing.

Applicants are assessed on mandatory requirements as well as necessary skills and experience. Competencies can be viewed in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that submissions are factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting others’ ideas or AI-generated content as your own.

Other information

Closing date: 17 November 2025. Shortlisting date: from 19 November 2025. Interview date: from 27 November 2025. Applicants will be contacted within a week of the sift and interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you require any disability-related adjustments during the process, please contact as soon as possible.

Successful candidates must pass disclosures and security checks as part of pre-employment screening. Some roles may require vaccinations and health surveillance. Where applicable, visits to other establishments or overseas travel may require specific vaccination.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will affect access to childcare vouchers; other government schemes may be available.

In accordance with Civil Service Recruitment Principles, selection is on merit by open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles, you may make a complaint to the Civil Service Commission.