PLPI Team Lead (Pharmaceuticals) in London

We are currently looking for a PLPI Team Lead (Pharmaceuticals) to join our Established Medicines Function within the Health Quality and Access 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. 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 objective of the Healthcare Quality and Access portfolio is to drive quality and critically appraise benefits and risks to inform robust decisions on healthcare access including accelerated access pathways. It will do this by bringing together a fusion of our capabilities across both medicines and medical devices to enable licensing and market access, as well as ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.

The Established medicine’s function delivers a risk appropriate critical appraisal of quality, safety and efficacy of healthcare products that are critical to the NHS and wider population, determining whether a product’s benefits outweigh the risks. This enables access while ultimately reducing costs to the healthcare system and delivering positive patient benefits as a result.

The Parallel Import Unit oversees all regulatory and licensing activities related to the parallel importation of medicinal products from within the European Economic Area.

The post holder will lead and support a team of assessors delivering high‑quality pharmaceutical assessments to protect public health, while shaping strategy and policy for parallel imports and providing expert advice to internal and external stakeholders.

• Leadership and People Management: Lead, support and develop a multidisciplinary team of assessors, ensuring effective performance, professional development and staff wellbeing through mentorship, training and supervision.
• Expert Pharmaceutical Assessment: Provide authoritative pharmaceutical expertise on the assessment of parallel imported medicines, including complex or novel applications and variations, using professional judgement to resolve technical issues.
• Process Improvement and Governance: Design, implement and maintain efficient, consistent assessment processes, ensuring SOPs, guidance and PI Unit policies remain accurate, up to date and aligned with regulatory changes.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Advice: Act as a subject matter expert for the PI scheme, delivering high‑quality advice to internal and external stakeholders and managing enquiries and complaints in a timely and professional manner.

A thorough understanding of the parallel import scheme, and particularly the issues relating to the assessment of the source product. Proven experience of dealing with complex technical issues arising from the assessment of parallel import applications, where no previous precedent has been set. Conversant with, and experience of working to, relevant legislation and procedures applicable to the licensing of human medicinal products. Ability to successfully manage, motivate and influence staff to deliver team objectives. Experience and proven ability to work with detailed information to a high level of accuracy and make appropriate recommendations or decisions to protect public health.

Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Leadership - Provide clear and inclusive leadership to motivate and develop staff, setting direction and priorities to deliver high‑quality outcomes aligned with organisational objectives.
• Delivering at Pace - Take an accountable and flexible approach to delivering accurate, high‑quality regulatory activities, adapting to changing priorities and working effectively under pressure to achieve timely outcomes for patients.
• Communicating and Influencing - Communicate complex scientific and regulatory issues clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

• Proven experience of analysing and interpreting complex technical, scientific and regulatory information, to make evidence‑based recommendations and exercising independent judgement within legislative frameworks to safeguard public health.

• Thorough understanding of the parallel import scheme, particularly the assessment of the source product and its role within the licensing of human medicinal products and medicines regulation more broadly.
• Degree in pharmacy, chemistry, pharmaceutical science or another relevant discipline.

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. 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: Thorough understanding of the parallel import scheme, particularly the assessment of the source product and its role within the licensing of human medicinal products and medicines regulation more broadly. 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: 26/5/26 Shortlisting date: from 27/5/26 Interview date: week commencing 08/06/2026

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