Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Communications Specialist, Improving Patient Information - £60,778 - £68,422 p.a. + benefits
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Job Summary
We are currently looking for a Communications Specialist, Improving Patient Information to join our award-winning Communications & Engagement group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 12-month fixed-term contract, internal move, loan or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
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.
The MHRA Communications and Engagement Function is a multi-award-winning team that has a consistent track-record of achievement and providing value for money. Our focus is to support the Agency to deliver its business outcomes by putting patients and the public at the centre of all our work. We are organised in the following teams: News & Media, Communications, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement and Customer Experience. These roles are in our Communications teams.
The Communications teams lead on all strategic planning, insight and evaluation, channel management and development, external affairs, internal communications, safety communications and marketing. This role sits within our Safety Communications team.
Job Description
What’s the role?
This role offers the opportunity to work at the heart of high-profile communications and engagement activity, supporting the MHRA’s mission and new multi-year strategy.
- Lead delivery and implementation of effective communications strategies to support delivery of the Improving patient information project supporting organisational priorities
- Develop and drive forward communications for a high-profile programme to improve how patients access and understand information
- Ensure alignment of communications on the Improving Patient Information project, with the MHRA’s brand, strategic communications, and internal communications priorities, working closely with senior leaders and project/programme governance to provide advice and direction.
Key Responsibilities:
- Developing and delivering integrated communications plans aligned to the Improving Patient Information programme and organisational objectives
- Providing expert communications advice to senior leaders, programme teams and wider internal and cross-government stakeholders
- Plan and matrix manage the delivery of communications activity across media, digital and stakeholder channels
- Creating high-quality content including messaging, engagement and briefing materials
Who are we looking for?
Our Successful Candidate Will Have The Following:
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.
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Managing a Quality Service - Experience of maintaining multiple projects / programmes whilst ensuring all risks are mitigated. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions.
Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex projects / programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques.
Excellent experience in engaging and mapping out key stakeholders to communicate key messages. Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations
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)
- Managing a Quality Service - Experience of maintaining multiple projects / programmes whilst ensuring all risks are mitigated. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions. (A, I)
Experience Criteria:
- Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex projects / programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques. (A, I, P)
- Excellent experience in engaging and mapping out key stakeholders to communicate key messages. Demonstrate positive customer service by understanding the complexity and diversity of customer needs and expectations (A, I, P)
- Proven experience of working well under pressure and at pace within a complex business and political environment (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
- A relevant qualification along with membership of CIM, CIPR or other relevant professional body desirable. (A)
- Knowledge and understanding of the health or regulatory landscape is desirable (A)
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £60,778, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £17,607 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
- Privilege Leave: 1 day
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk. For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
- Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
- Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
- Eligibility to join Motoring, Boundless by CSMA
- Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
- On-going learning and development
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Artificial intelligence
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
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:
- Managing a Quality Service - Experience of maintaining multiple projects / programmes whilst ensuring all risks are mitigated. Proactively manage risks and identify solutions and
- Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex projects / programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques.
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.
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: 30 July 2026
Shortlisting date: From 31 July 2026
Interview date: 12 August 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Important Information
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 baseline personnel security standard checks.
Certain Roles Within The MHRA Will Require Post Holders To Have Vaccinations, And In Some Circumstances, Routine Health Surveillance. These
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