Senior Content Designer in Leeds

We are currently looking for a Senior Content Designer to join our Digital and Service Design Function within the Digital and Technology group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP. Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

Who are we? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Digital and Technology Group (DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world-class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agency’s legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU. User Centred Design helps MHRA deliver accessible, inclusive and effective digital services that meet user needs. The function brings together user research, service design, interaction design and content design to support multidisciplinary teams across the service lifecycle.

What’s the role? This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Content Designer to play a key role in growing and shaping user-centred design practice at the MHRA. Working across multidisciplinary teams and complex services, the post holder will lead content design activities, provide content assurance, and ensure accessible, inclusive and evidence-based content meets user needs, regulatory obligations and organisational standards. They will use research, data and content strategy to develop clear, effective content solutions that support wider service goals and deliver measurable benefits.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead, evaluate and iteratively improve the content design strategy for large or complex programmes and projects, ensuring content supports MHRA strategic priorities and regulatory responsibilities, using evidence from user research, analytics and service data to inform decisions and measure effectiveness.
• Take responsibility for the quality, coherence and effectiveness of content across the end‑to‑end service journey, while remaining comfortable working at page‑ and component‑level detail.
• Be accountable for content quality within your area of responsibility, providing content assurance and sign‑off in line with organisational standards.
• Manage the risks associated with publishing content in a regulatory environment, including legal, compliance, reputational and user‑safety risks, ensuring appropriate controls are in place.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will:

• Significant experience applying user-centred content design methods to create accessible, inclusive and usable content that meets user needs and follows the Government Service Standard.
• Developing content strategies, information architectures or content models for complex services, using research, analytics and outcomes to improve effectiveness.
• Working effectively in multidisciplinary teams, including influencing stakeholders to adopt user-centred, accessible and evidence-based content standards.
• Providing content leadership, assurance, including coaching, mentoring or supporting other designers.
• Championing clear, inclusive and standards-led service design in a regulated environment, balancing user needs with legal, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Managing a Quality Service (I)
• Seeing the Big Picture (I, P)
• Communicating and Influencing (I, P)

Experience Criteria:

• Experience applying user-centred content design methods to create accessible, inclusive and usable content that meets user needs and follows Government Service Standard (A)
• Experience developing content strategies, information architectures or content models for complex services, using research, analytics and outcomes to improve effectiveness (A, I)
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and influencing stakeholders to adopt user-centred, accessible and evidence-based content standards (I)
• Experience coaching, mentoring or supporting other designers, and contributing to communities of practice, standards or assurance activities (I)

Technical Criteria:

• Degree‑level qualification or equivalent professional experience in content design (A, I)
• Strong experience working within a User‑centred Design approach (A, I)
• Good experience of working within an agile delivery framework and GDS Service Standard (A, I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

The selection process: We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates. Online application form, including a statement of suitability, of no more than 750 words demonstrating how you meet the person specification. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information. Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage. Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Experience applying user-centred content design methods to create accessible, inclusive and usable content that meets user needs and follows Government Service Standard. Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the statement of suitability provided. You can view the criteria for this role in the job description.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 15th July 2026

Shortlisting date: from 20th July 2026

Interview date: from 27th July 2026

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer. Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition.