Job Description
Job description
Location
London
About The Job
Job summary
The Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is accountable to the Chair and Board for ensuring the Agency takes all possible steps to protect the interests of the public and to ensure that medicines, medical devices and other healthcare products meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, efficacy and performance; and that the Agency provides a first class service to manufacturers of medicines, medical devices and other healthcare products, to professionals in the NHS and in social care agencies, and to the general public.
Job Description
The role of Chief Executive calls for an experienced leader with a strong record of delivering within a complex and rapidly evolving environment. This an exciting and challenging time to take on leadership of the Agency. The successful individual will need to bring the whole organisation together to respond to the opportunities and challenges created by ever faster innovation in medical interventions and the need for greater operating efficiency.
Core areas of focus will include:
• Responding to the unprecedented evolution in medicines and medical technology – with huge advances in personalised medicine, genomics and Artificial Intelligence. The role holder will need to continuously consider how to promote innovation in medical interventions whilst protecting patients.
• Driving the ongoing transformation of the Agency’s role, operations, culture and digital infrastructure, and continuing to reset the Agency’s role domestically and internationally.
• Ensuring continuous improvement in the Agency’s approach to safety and putting patients first.
• Delivering excellent standards and service in the Agency’s core business including:
• applying robust regulatory standards to over 8,000 medicine marketing authorisations in the UK and 1,000 clinical trials licence applications per annum
• managing an annual income of £170m and delivering against the Agency’s financial objectives
• leading MHRA’s c.1,300 staff and ensuring the Agency is able to attract, retain and develop talent.
The role of Chief Executive holds accounting officer responsibilities to Parliament and the public for the safe and effective stewardship of public funds. The Chief Executive also signs the accounts, ensuring these are prepared and presented in accordance with directives from the Secretary of State, ensures that effective procedures are in place for handling of complaints, and that the agency acts in accordance with the terms of Managing Public Money (MPM).
Person specification
The role of a Chief Executive of the MHRA calls for an individual with exceptional skills and experience.
The selection process will be based on the following essential criteria:
• Track record of having operated successfully at board/executive team level in an organisation of a similar size and complexity to the MHRA.
• Outstanding leadership capability with evidence of having delivered business transformation in an environment of ambiguity and change.
• Outstanding communication skills with a wide range of stakeholder groups.
• Experience of creating and delivering a vision and a strategy for a complex organisation, developing its reputation nationally/internationally.
• Appreciation of medical innovation and technology and an understanding of how regulation needs to respond to the opportunities and challenges that innovation presents.
• Track record of building highly motivated teams and establishing collaborative working relationships.
Additionally, knowledge of the research, development, and use of medicines or medical devices would be beneficial.
Candidates should also demonstrate a willingness to assume broader DHSC corporate responsibilities and actively contribute to the development of the Civil Service.
Benefits
Alongside your salary Department of Health and Social Care contributes towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.+7%
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Details of how to apply are included in the attached position specification. please submit applications by email to Responses@RussellReynolds.com . The closing date for applications is 12.00 on Monday 7th October 2026
Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has been retained to support this appointment. This appointment will be regulated by the Civil Service Commission , and we follow clear guidelines to ensure that our recruitment is fair and open.
The Civil Service Commission has two primary functions:
• Providing assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the selection panel.
• Hearing and determining appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values – Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and Honesty - and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer.
More detailed information about the Civil Service Commission and their role can be found here .
The Selection Committee for this role will be Chaired by Stephen Cohen, Civil Service Commissioner.
You will receive an acknowledgment of your application.
The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Candidate Profile section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Shortlisted candidates are expected to attend assessments week commencing 28th October 2026
Interviews are expected week commencing 18th November 2026.
A complete timeline is included in the attached position specification.
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
Candidates will need to undertake a Media/Press Exercise and Life Science Industry Stakeholder Panel Exercise as part of the assessment stage.
There will also be the opportunity to meet key department stakeholders, one of which will be a Minister.
Shortlisted candidates will then progress to the final interview with the panel.
Full details of this assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window) . See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the 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 the 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) .
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
• Name : Candidates should contact Russell Reynolds
• Email : Responses@RussellReynolds.com
Recruitment team
• Email : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
For any complaints regarding the recruitment process please contact: DHSCSCSRecruitment@dhsc.gov.uk
Location
London
About The Job
Job summary
The Chief Executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is accountable to the Chair and Board for ensuring the Agency takes all possible steps to protect the interests of the public and to ensure that medicines, medical devices and other healthcare products meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, efficacy and performance; and that the Agency provides a first class service to manufacturers of medicines, medical devices and other healthcare products, to professionals in the NHS and in social care agencies, and to the general public.
Job Description
The role of Chief Executive calls for an experienced leader with a strong record of delivering within a complex and rapidly evolving environment. This an exciting and challenging time to take on leadership of the Agency. The successful individual will need to bring the whole organisation together to respond to the opportunities and challenges created by ever faster innovation in medical interventions and the need for greater operating efficiency.
Core areas of focus will include:
• Responding to the unprecedented evolution in medicines and medical technology – with huge advances in personalised medicine, genomics and Artificial Intelligence. The role holder will need to continuously consider how to promote innovation in medical interventions whilst protecting patients.
• Driving the ongoing transformation of the Agency’s role, operations, culture and digital infrastructure, and continuing to reset the Agency’s role domestically and internationally.
• Ensuring continuous improvement in the Agency’s approach to safety and putting patients first.
• Delivering excellent standards and service in the Agency’s core business including:
• applying robust regulatory standards to over 8,000 medicine marketing authorisations in the UK and 1,000 clinical trials licence applications per annum
• managing an annual income of £170m and delivering against the Agency’s financial objectives
• leading MHRA’s c.1,300 staff and ensuring the Agency is able to attract, retain and develop talent.
The role of Chief Executive holds accounting officer responsibilities to Parliament and the public for the safe and effective stewardship of public funds. The Chief Executive also signs the accounts, ensuring these are prepared and presented in accordance with directives from the Secretary of State, ensures that effective procedures are in place for handling of complaints, and that the agency acts in accordance with the terms of Managing Public Money (MPM).
Person specification
The role of a Chief Executive of the MHRA calls for an individual with exceptional skills and experience.
The selection process will be based on the following essential criteria:
• Track record of having operated successfully at board/executive team level in an organisation of a similar size and complexity to the MHRA.
• Outstanding leadership capability with evidence of having delivered business transformation in an environment of ambiguity and change.
• Outstanding communication skills with a wide range of stakeholder groups.
• Experience of creating and delivering a vision and a strategy for a complex organisation, developing its reputation nationally/internationally.
• Appreciation of medical innovation and technology and an understanding of how regulation needs to respond to the opportunities and challenges that innovation presents.
• Track record of building highly motivated teams and establishing collaborative working relationships.
Additionally, knowledge of the research, development, and use of medicines or medical devices would be beneficial.
Candidates should also demonstrate a willingness to assume broader DHSC corporate responsibilities and actively contribute to the development of the Civil Service.
Benefits
Alongside your salary Department of Health and Social Care contributes towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.+7%
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Details of how to apply are included in the attached position specification. please submit applications by email to Responses@RussellReynolds.com . The closing date for applications is 12.00 on Monday 7th October 2026
Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) has been retained to support this appointment. This appointment will be regulated by the Civil Service Commission , and we follow clear guidelines to ensure that our recruitment is fair and open.
The Civil Service Commission has two primary functions:
• Providing assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commission discharges its responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and by a Commissioner chairing the selection panel.
• Hearing and determining appeals made by civil servants under the Civil Service Code which sets out the Civil Service values – Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and Honesty - and forms part of the relationship between civil servants and their employer.
More detailed information about the Civil Service Commission and their role can be found here .
The Selection Committee for this role will be Chaired by Stephen Cohen, Civil Service Commissioner.
You will receive an acknowledgment of your application.
The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Candidate Profile section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Shortlisted candidates are expected to attend assessments week commencing 28th October 2026
Interviews are expected week commencing 18th November 2026.
A complete timeline is included in the attached position specification.
All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
Candidates will need to undertake a Media/Press Exercise and Life Science Industry Stakeholder Panel Exercise as part of the assessment stage.
There will also be the opportunity to meet key department stakeholders, one of which will be a Minister.
Shortlisted candidates will then progress to the final interview with the panel.
Full details of this assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window) . See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the 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 the 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) .
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
• Name : Candidates should contact Russell Reynolds
• Email : Responses@RussellReynolds.com
Recruitment team
• Email : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
For any complaints regarding the recruitment process please contact: DHSCSCSRecruitment@dhsc.gov.uk
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency |MHRA| Chief Executive Officer position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in London offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
