We are currently looking for a Programme Director (Infrastructure) to join our Scientific and Research group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. This role may also be available on a secondment basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
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 Scientific and Research Group (S&R) delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which balances innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 4 sub-Groups, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.
The Science Campus delivers delegated statutory functions which include the assurance of the safety of biological medicines via independent testing and the provision of biological reference materials. These support the global harmonisation of biological medicine potency and ensure the comparable sensitivity diagnostic tests for biological materials. The MHRA is a recognised global leader in this space, working closely with the World Health Organization and other key players in the life sciences sector.
The MHRA Science Campus comprises general laboratories (typically Containment Level 2) as well as specialist facilities such as a high biocontainment and biosecure estate, clean room facilities and a small manufacturing plant delivering in a non GMP environment. The Science Campus site was built in the early 1980’s and whilst significant improvements, new buildings and local area redesigns has taken place over time to maintain fitness for purpose, parts of the site now require significant changes and repurposing to align with current and future scientific delivery requirements, enabling the site to adapt to grow and support changing healthcare needs to support biological medicine safety.
Programmes of work have started in some areas, such as the delivery of a new manufacturing and global distribution facility. This is a major flagship programme for the MHRA and draws on expertise from multiple stakeholders across the Agency and other government life sciences sectors. However, a significant investment will be required across the Science Campus to realise the final vision.
What’s the role?
This role will be responsible for leading the end‑to‑end delivery of the site redevelopment, including preprogramme ideation through to design, build and implementation, the work will also include integration of existing infrastructure programmes, which will be critical to strengthening the UK’s research, innovation and regulatory ecosystem.
Key responsibilities:
Ensure alignment of the programmes with the strategic vision providing the SRO with clarity of scope across all programmes, success measures, and benefits realisation.
Provide end-to-end responsibility for the successful delivery of infrastructure programmes across multiple stages of maturity, funding models, and delivery partners.
Design and operate robust governance and assurance frameworks, aligned to Civil Service and infrastructure best practice ensuring programmes are delivering value for money, affordability over the life of the assets, and long-term sustainability.
Oversee financial planning, funding strategies, and commercial models, ensuring affordability and resilience.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will demonstrate:
Deep understanding of infrastructure delivery, programme and portfolio management, and assurance principles
Proven track record of end‑to‑end delivery within politically, financially, or operationally complex environments
Seeing the Big Picture
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Person Specification:
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
Leadership (A, I, P)
Seeing the Bigger Picture (A, I, P)
Making Effective Decisions (I)
Communicating and Influencing (A, I)
Experience Criteria:
Understanding of project delivery governance including service assessments, spend controls, and accessibility, security and data protection requirements (A)
Proven track record for the end-to-end delivery of complex infrastructure programmes, including managing delivery risks and issues, proactive approach to dependency management, prioritisation and problem-solving to unblock and find solutions to issues (P)
Skilled in stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing at senior levels (P)
Proven extensive experience leading large scale, complex major infrastructure programmes (A)
Demonstrable track record of delivering multi year programmes in high risk or highly regulated environments (e.g., health, science, infrastructure, defence or technology) (A)
Strong understanding of life sciences, research infrastructure, scientific operations, or adjacent complex technical domains (A)
Experience overseeing major capital projects, construction delivery and technical integration programmes (A)
Proven commercial acumen, including managing major contracts, supply chains and commercial negotiations (A)
Strong financial management skills, including business case development and benefits management (A)
Outstanding stakeholder management skills, capable of operating credibly at Executive, Board and Ministerial levels (A)
Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams through sustained delivery pressure (A)
Strong track record of operating within NISTA / MSP aligned governance frameworks, including effective management of risk, dependencies and assurance (desirable) (I)
Experience with digital infrastructure programs in government (desirable) (I)
Understanding of the life science landscape internationally and in the UK (desirable) (I)
Technical Criteria:
One or more of the following qualifications/accreditations is essential: (A)
MSP Practitioner qualification
PRINCE2 Practitioner
Agile Project Management Practitioner
APM Chartered Project Professional
Major Projects Leadership Academy
Project Leadership Programme
Leading and Managing Project Workstreams
ILA associated qualifications are desirable (A)
Deep understanding of the Green Book, Five Case Model, and government investment governance (A, I)
Competence in programme integration, ensuring alignment between engineering, commercial, finance, and delivery plans (A, I)
Skilled in stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing at senior levels (A, I)
Strong knowledge of major programme governance, risk management and NISTA expectations (I)
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.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Understanding of project delivery governance including service assessments, spend controls, and accessibility, security and data protection requirements.
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: 17th July 2026
Shortlisting date: from 27th July 2026
Interview date: from 3rd 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, 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
Civil Service Commission
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Contact Details:
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Recruitment Team
