Service Transition Manager in Leeds

We are currently looking for a Service Transition Manager to join our Technology and Service Operations Function within the Digital and Technology 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 or 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.

This role attracts a Market Pay Supplement of up to £12,823 per annum, in recognition of the specialist skills required and current market rates. The supplement is reviewed annually and is non-pensionable.

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. 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. The work we do matters!

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, designed around our customers’ needs. DTG works in a holistic way to combine digital and technology change, data and information management, project delivery, business process, product management and cultural change to maximise our impact and ensure sustainability. We plan to be at the heart of one of the most digitally advanced medical regulators in the world and we need people who can help us deliver that ambition. DTG is a great place to build your career, and we are committed to enabling our people to do the best work of their lives.

What’s the role? The Service Transition Manager plays a key role in ensuring new and changed services are safely and effectively transitioned into live operation, protecting service quality and operational stability. The role partners closely with project, technical, supplier, and operational teams to assess readiness, manage risks, and confirm services meet agreed acceptance criteria through go-live and early life support. This is a critical role that combines governance, collaboration, and service focus to enable successful outcomes for users and the organisation.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage service transition activities to ensure new and changed services meet agreed Service Acceptance Criteria and are ready for go-live and early life support.
• Assess service readiness and fitness for purpose, working with multi-disciplinary teams to identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies to support operational acceptance.
• Coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders including project teams, technical specialists, suppliers, and operational teams to ensure effective service handover.
• Protect service quality and user outcomes by ensuring operational requirements, documentation, and service management standards are embedded throughout the transition lifecycle.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have:

• Strong service management knowledge, particularly ITIL, with the ability to apply service lifecycle principles to service transition activities.
• Proven experience assessing service readiness, including analysing risks, impacts, dependencies, and operational fitness of new or changed services.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams, engaging effectively with project teams, technical specialists, suppliers, and operational colleagues.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the capability to manage competing priorities, maintain issue ownership, and support effective handover into live service.
• A strong service and user focus, ensuring user needs, service quality, and operational requirements are considered throughout the transition lifecycle.

Person Specification:

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Making Effective Decisions (I)
• Managing a Quality Service (A, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (I)

Experience Criteria:

• Experience of demonstrating communication and strong interpersonal skills with the personal attributes to successfully engage with and maintain productive relationships with colleagues, users, stakeholders, and suppliers.
• Adaptable to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities whilst maintaining quality of work (I)

Technical Criteria:

• Ideally you will hold a degree or qualifications in a computing discipline or business administration, and/or demonstrate substantial equivalent Service Transition experience (A)
• A working knowledge of ITIL V4 (A)

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

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The selection process: We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. 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. 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 Managing a Quality Service. 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 competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. 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: 5th August 2026

Shortlisting date: from 17th August 2026

Interview date: from 1st September 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. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

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. The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

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. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at careers@mhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ