Policy Partner– Innovative Pathways

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. 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 Innovation and Compliance Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 3 sub-Groups: Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science, Clinical Investigations and Trials, and Standards and Compliance.

What’s the role? Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of cross-cutting innovation policy and regulatory strategy, including supporting the future evolution of innovation pathways to enable responsible innovation and improve patient access to innovative healthcare products.
• Manage the governance and procedural frameworks that support Innovation Accelerator regulatory pathways, including operational roles and responsibilities, including the risk register and reporting on performance against KPIs.
• Lead delivery of policy-based projects, acting as the project manager for multiple pieces of work, coordinating project roles, tasks and use of resources, and developing proposals for efficient delivery of projects.
• Monitor the broader policy landscape relating to innovative product and regulatory environment, conducting policy analysis and formulating reasoned, evidence-based arguments for change through use of data and other information to draft reports, advice and briefings to senior leaders on a variety of policy and strategy areas.
• Establish strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with the broader ambitions, including developing partnerships to support the delivery of projects and initiatives.

Who are we looking for? Our Successful Candidate Will:

• Be able to ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies.
• Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities.
• Have demonstrable experience of managing complex programmes across multiple stakeholders.
• Have demonstrable experience of strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context.
• Have experience of delivering on policy (from defining the issue, working with stakeholders, and driving through to completion).

Person Specification Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Making Effective Decisions (A, I)
• Seeing the Big Picture (A, I)
• Working Together (A, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of managing complex programmes across multiple stakeholders (A, I, P)
• Demonstrable experience of strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context (A, I, P)
• Experience of delivering on policy (from defining the issue, working with stakeholders, and driving through to completion) (A, I, P)
• Desirable: Experience of the health system and/or Life Sciences sector in the UK (A, I, P)

Technical Criteria:

• Desirable: Educated to a bachelor's degree level in a scientific discipline (A, I)

The Selection Process:

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles.
• 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 Seeing the Big Picture. Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role.

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, applications may be withdrawn.

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: 13th September 2026

Shortlisting date: from 16th September 2026

Interview date: from 23rd September 2026

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.