We are currently looking for a Deputy Director, Commercial to join our Commercial Function within the Corporate 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. 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 Commercial team reports to the Chief Finance Officer and is charged with improving commercial outcomes, driving value for money, embedding a stronger commercial focus, reducing risk and improving commercial capability across the MHRA. The Commercial team is responsible for the purchase of goods and services in the categories of Digital and Technology, Facilities Management, Science and Corporate; with a combined portfolio of circa~400 contracts with an addressable spend circa £120m per annum. This role provides strategic leadership and management for commercial activities within the agency, providing expert advice and support to the business at a time of significant organisational change as the agency continues its mission of “Keeping patients safe and enabling access to high quality, safe and effective medical products.”
You will play a key role in developing the professional expertise of the commercial function as well as wider organisational commercial capability. You will be expected to use your knowledge of the public sector procurement and experience to lead a team, building their confidence and commercial prowess to deliver strategic initiatives, drive performance and mitigate risk across all categories of spend. You will also drive benefits (cashable and non‑cashable) creation through commercial endeavours.
The Deputy Director will be a key member of the Senior Leaders Forum within MHRA, drive MHRA interest as a member of the Health Family Commercial Shared Services Board and ensure MHRA maintains close and effective senior relationships with Crown Commercial Services and Department of Health and Social Care. Designing, developing and implementing MHRA’s overarching commercial strategy, developing the associated policies and procedures and promulgating them effectively. Within this, to work proactively with Chief Executive, Executive Team and Senior Leaders within the organization in developing specific strategies for the procurement of MHRA’s critical goods and services for major programmes and projects.
Providing leadership and day‑to‑day management of a geographically dispersed commercial team as they deliver category and commercial strategies, a pipeline of procurement and contract management activity across the commercial lifecycle.
Hold board member positions across MHRA’s portfolio of key programmes ensuring commercial oversight to include holding the SRO and programme teams accountable for delivering tangible and non‑tangible benefits. Providing a critical eye and act as trusted advisor for the success of projects and programmes.
Contribute to the strategic visioning of the businesses and functions and bringing innovation thinking to how commercial may participate in the delivery of their key obligations and statutory functions. Operating as a highly valued business partner to the operational and corporate services of MHRA and leading, coaching and mentoring the Commercial Team to do likewise.
Online application form, including a statement of suitability, of no more than 1500 words demonstrating how you meet the person specification. 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. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.
Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
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 statement of suitability provided. You can view the criteria for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
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: 12 November 2025
Shortlisting date: 13 November 2025
Interview date: 20 November 2025
Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.
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.
UK nationals
Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
Nationals of EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
Nationals of EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Experience of the full public sector commercial lifecycle
Full public sector commercial lifecycle from strategy and planning, procurement, contract management and supplier relationship management.
Team Leadership
Experience of managing a team, understanding their commercial capability & development gaps and building confidence following setbacks;
Strategy and Policy Development
Practical experience in implementing government and department commercial policies across a range of different commercial delivery models;
A relevant commercial‑related qualification that aligns to the profession (e.g. CIPS, GCO ADC: required).
Substantial experience of working in a senior role within the public sector commercial profession in the last five years: required, Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Alongside your salary of £81,000, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
* 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 the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
* Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
* On‑going learning and development
We look forward to receiving your application.
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