Principal Policy Lead

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 Principal Policy Lead to join our Regulatory Reform Function within the Strategy and Partnerships 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. 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 Strategy and Partnerships Group has responsibility for shaping the strategy and policy to guide the MHRA’s operations. This includes transforming the MHRA’s strategic approach and the legal regime for medicines and medical devices, which underpins all of our work, and developing partnerships to ensure UK patients have the fastest possible access to safe, effective, medicines and medical devices.

The Regulatory Reform function is responsible for:

• Developing and leading the MHRA’s relationship with the EU and the interaction between UK and EU law, working across the MHRA to understand the impact and implications of EU changes.
• Developing the MHRA’s future legislation programme, to ensure the MHRA can deliver a regulatory environment that meets the needs of the public health and life sciences sector.
• Oversight of all legislative changes across the MHRA, enabling delivery of new legislation, and ensuring high-quality materials for Parliament.

What’s the role? This role will focus on our relationship with Europe. You will be responsible for managing and enhancing the MHRA's engagement with European counterparts, support wider governmental negotiations and understand how changes in the EU may impact UK medicines and medical devices. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the Agency's response to key government initiatives and ensuring that patient safety remains paramount in both the UK and Europe.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead regulatory initiatives: Lead on elements of the MHRA’s EU work for medicines and medical devices. Work closely with technical colleagues (experts) across the MHRA, DHSC and lawyers to develop implementation options for the UK. Provide clear and accurate advice to MHRA colleagues on parliamentary, government and legal commissions.
• Project Management: Manage and coordinate cross-MHRA work to implement new regulatory changes, setting out project plans and ensuring processes progress to agreed timelines. Act as a lead point of contact for cross-government and external stakeholders on matters relating to the EU, coordinating across the MHRA to respond to reactive requests, often working at pace.
• Policy Development: Draft clear and concise policy recommendations, advice and briefings, communicating complex regulatory policy, to support senior leaders and Ministers in key decision making.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Understand stakeholder views to assess the impact of potential changes. Use insight from stakeholders and balance different views to inform and adapt proposals to ensure the UK’s approach will deliver for stakeholders including patients, life sciences industry and the research community.

Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following behaviours and experience:

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture

Experience in a relevant area in the civil service or other organisations, which give understanding to working in public sector.

Desirable: Previous experience working in health, life sciences or regulation environment.

Desirable: Previous experience working on legislation.

Strengths Criteria:

• Problem Solver
• Relationship Builder

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 Working Together.

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.

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: 12th April 2026

Shortlisting date: from 17th April 2026

Interview date: from 27th April 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.