Communications Specialist – Strategic Communications in London

This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) 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. We are currently looking for a Strategic Communications Specialist to join our Communications & 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 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.

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 MHRA Communications and Engagement Function is a multi-award-winning team that has a consistent track-record of achievement and providing 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 & Media, Communications, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement and Customer Experience. This role is in our Communications teams. The Communications teams lead on all strategic planning, insight and evaluation, channel management and development, external affairs, internal communications, safety communications and marketing. This role sits within our Strategic Communications team.

This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of high-profile communications and engagement activity, supporting the MHRA's mission and new multi-year strategy.

• Lead delivery of complex communications strategies across major programmes and priorities, supporting organisational priorities.
• Develop and drive communications for a high profile programme to improve how patients access and understand information.
• Lead communications for major business and digital transformation programme.

Key responsibilities:

• Developing and delivering integrated communications plans aligned to programme and organisational objectives.
• Providing expert communications advice to senior leaders, programme teams and wider internal and cross-government stakeholders.
• Plan and matrix manage the delivery of communications activity across media, digital and stakeholder channels.
• Creating high-quality content including messaging, engagement and briefing materials.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Communicating and Influencing: 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.
• Managing a Quality Service: Experience of maintaining multiple projects/programmes whilst ensuring all risks are mitigated. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions.
• Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex projects/programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques.
• Excellent experience in engaging and mapping out key stakeholders to communicate key messages. Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations.

Person Specification:

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Communicating and Influencing - 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. (A, I)
• Managing a Quality Service - Experience of maintaining multiple projects/programmes whilst ensuring all risks are mitigated. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions. (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex projects/programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques. (A, I, P)
• Excellent experience in engaging and mapping out key stakeholders to communicate key messages. Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations (A, I, P)
• Proven experience of working well under pressure and at pace within a complex business and political environment (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• A relevant qualification along with membership of CIM, CIPR or other relevant professional body desirable. (A)
• Knowledge and understanding of the health or regulatory landscape is desirable (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. 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. Presentation, without visual cues, 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: Managing a Quality Service - Experience of maintaining multiple projects/programmes whilst ensuring all risks are mitigated. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions and Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex projects/programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques.

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: 30 July 2026

Shortlisting date: From 31 July 2026

Interview date: 11 August 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, you should firstly contact 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