Head of External Affairs 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 Head of External Affairs to join our award-winning Communications and Engagement 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 but may require occasional travel to South Mimms, Hertfordshire or other locations. 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.

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. Our Communications and Engagement Directorate is a high‑performing, award‑winning team with a strong reputation for impact and value for money. We help the Agency deliver its objectives by putting patients and the public at the heart of everything we do. The function comprises News and Media, Communications, Patient and Public Engagement, and Customer Experience. This role sits within the Communications team, which leads on external affairs, strategic communications, planning, insight and evaluation.

What’s the role? This is a senior leadership role with significant visibility and influence, both across the Agency and externally. As Head of External Affairs, you will provide strategic advice and leadership to ensure the MHRA’s external engagement supports delivery of our corporate priorities and strengthens our reputation. You will lead a newly established External Affairs team and be responsible for creating and delivering an integrated, insight‑led external affairs strategy. The role spans strategic stakeholder engagement, public affairs and external advocacy, with a strong focus on building confidence, nurturing critical relationships and enhancing MHRA’s influence across government, industry, academia and public interest groups.

Success in this role will be measured through the quality and impact of stakeholder relationships, the use of insight to inform Agency activity, and the contribution external engagement makes to organisational outcomes and reputation.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and develop the External Affairs team, setting a clear strategic direction and fostering collaboration, high performance and professional development.
• Develop and oversee the MHRA’s external affairs and stakeholder engagement plans, ensuring alignment with Agency priorities and effective coordination across the organisation.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with influential external stakeholders across government, the health and life sciences sectors, academia and patient groups.
• Plan and deliver high‑profile external engagement activity, including events, roundtables and consultations, working closely with internal colleagues.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Proven senior leadership experience, including leading and developing multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Substantial experience delivering complex external affairs programmes and projects.
• A demonstrable ability to understand stakeholder needs and translate insight into effective organisational action.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage, challenge and advise at the most senior levels.
• Strong planning, project management and problem‑solving skills, with an ability to operate at pace and manage competing priorities.

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,P)
• Developing Self and Others - A confident self-starter, who can operate at pace and independently, managing conflicting priorities while delivering to deadline but can also operate flexibly as part of a team and encourages feedback and the views of others. (I)

Experience Criteria:

• Proven senior leadership and management skills, able to demonstrate experience of leading multi-functional units in a complex organisation, including motivating and developing staff, and managing their performance. (A,I,P)
• Demonstrable track record of delivering complex external affairs programmes and projects using a range of tools and techniques. (A,I,P)
• Demonstrable experience developing an understanding of stakeholder needs and objectives and using these insights to influence organisational activity. Includes: drafting action plans, securing required resource and setting performance standards. (A,I)

Technical Criteria:

• A demonstrable track record of planning and project management skills, with the ability to lead projects involving cross organisational and external team members. Including ability to anticipate potential risks, handle any unanticipated problems and develop and communicate creative solutions to achieve successful resolution whilst delivering a high standard of customer service. (A,I)
• A relevant qualification along with membership of CIM, CIPR or other relevant professional body 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, 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. 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. 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: 19th May 2026

Shortlisting date: from 20th May 2026

Interview date: 3rd June 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