Description We are currently looking for a Head of Innovative Products to join our Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science Function within the Science, Research and Innovation 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 Scientific Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research and innovation. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety. The Innovation Accelerator helps provide innovators access to MHRA scientific expertise and regulatory guidance, helping developers of innovative products (medicines, medical devices (including software) and blood components for transfusion) connect more dynamically with an enhanced advice and signposting service. It brings together the MHRA Innovation Office, the Regulatory Advice Service for Regenerative Medicines (RASRM), Regulatory Science and horizon scanning. It also leads for MHRA on the delivery of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) and Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP). The Innovation Accelerator is evolving with increased focus on driving MHRA policy development to support novel and potentially transformative that healthcare products, so they benefit from the regulatory support to optimise their route to market. It will act to ensure MHRA can play its role as an enabler for delivering growth and supporting the Government priorities supporting UK Life Sciences agenda and how to harness the critical technologies outlined in the UK Science and Technology Framework. What’s the role? The role offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the UK. The successful candidate will lead a team of technical experts, to ensure subject matter expertise / advice is effectively deployed to support the function of Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science and wider Agency, including practical interpretation of horizon scanning signals, strategic oversight of regulatory science deliverables, and supporting the delivery of expedited patient access pathways such as the ILAP and IDAP. The role holder will lead efforts to reach out across the MHRA (and wider health system partners), harnessing external expertise where needed, in response to emerging innovative products (or technologies/scientific developments that have potential application to healthcare products) as part of MHRAs commitment to being at the forefront of enabling new innovation. Key responsibilities: Provide strategic leadership to drive forward the development of cross-cutting strategy, policy and guidance, working with other MHRA technical experts, as part of MHRA’s wider innovation mission. Making decisions on the case for change through use of evidence, providing advice and briefings to senior leaders on a variety of matters relating to the regulation of innovative healthcare products. This will include strategic leadership as part of efforts to develop regulatory pathways that can optimise the development of new innovative products and technologies. Provide strategic leadership to enable the development and delivery of a new enhanced function within the IA that works Agency-wide to respond to emerging trends in healthcare product innovation where there is likely to be market interest or opportunity for paradigm shift in healthcare. In turn enabling the application of professional expertise and knowledge in regulatory, clinical and or scientific areas, to ensure the Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science function is fully in delivering the right information at the right time to queries and requests (both internally and externally) and supporting the ILAP and IDAP ambitions. Develop and grow knowledge base to develop the Innovation Accelerators ability to provide advice and guidance to support developers of novel innovations navigate the regulatory system. This will also require an appreciation of different stakeholder views including industry, academia and patients. Provide, and ensure the team can provide, expert advice to external stakeholders / requesters, ensuring that the advice adds value to the information that is currently available in the public domain and signposts to MHRA services generating new and ongoing business. Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following. Degree in Medicine with relevant postgraduate qualification(s) within specialist area(s). Registered with the General Medical Council. Broad and expert scientific and regulatory experience that can be applied to support the ambitions of the Innovation Accelerator. Leadership - Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Remain visible and approachable to all colleagues and stakeholders. Actively promote the reputation of the organisation with pride, both internally and externally displaying passion and enthusiasm for the work, helping to inspire colleagues and stakeholders to fully engage with the aims and long term vision. Work to influence the strategy, direction and culture to increase effectiveness Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies. Create joined up strategies that put into practice and support the government’s vision for the future. Develop an in-depth insight into customers, services, communities and markets affected by your work areas and the wider public sector context Changing and improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement, learning from experience. Seek, encourage and recognise initiative and imaginative ideas from a wide range of people. Encourage measured risk taking and innovation to deliver better approaches and services. Implement changes that transform flexibility, responsiveness and quality of service Person Specification: Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation Behaviour Criteria: Making Effective Decisions (I) Seeing the Big Picture (I, P) Changing and Improving (I) Leadership (A, I) Experience Criteria: Broad and expert scientific and regulatory experience that can be applied to support the ambitions of the Innovation Accelerator. ( A, I, P ) Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrable experience of facilitating team-working/team-leading, consulting and co-operating with colleagues from different disciplines and with variable degrees of expertise. (I) Previous experience in a regulatory, academic or industry setting with demonstrable contribution to the innovation agenda or healthcare product(s) development activities. (A) Technical Criteria: Degree in Medicine with relevant postgraduate qualification(s) within specialist area(s). Registered with the General Medical Council. (A) Sound knowledge of relevant regulations applicable to the area. (I, P) Strengths Criteria Team Leader (I) Improver (I) Strategic (I) 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 The selection process: We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here. Online application form, including a statement of suitability (to be answered in the Application Question Section) 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. All information that you provide will be anonymised and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your details when reviewing your application. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information. 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 the following. Leadership Degree in Medicine with relevant postgraduate qualification(s) within specialist area(s). Registered with the General Medical Council. 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. 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: 14 th December 2025 Shortlisting date: from 15 th December 2025 Interview date: from 5 th January 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. 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, you should firstly contact Florentina Oleylami, Head of Talent Acquisition, Florentina.Oyelami@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 info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ