Policy Partner – Innovative Pathways - £60,778-£68,422 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Policy Partner – Innovative Pathways to join our Innovation Accelerator & Regulatory Science Function within the Science and Research 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 Innovation and Compliance Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 3 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science, Clinical Investigations and Trials and Standards and Compliance.

Job description

The role offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the UK. This role will focus on leading the development of cross-cutting innovation policy and regulatory pathways that support the safe adoption of emerging medicines, medical devices, artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. The postholder will help shape the future regulatory environment, ensuring the Agency continues to develop policies that enable responsible innovation while protecting patient safety and public health. It is crucial that we continue to strengthen the UK's regulatory framework and innovation ecosystem, including the continued evolution of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) and development of the Regulatory Innovation Corridor (RIC), as part of demonstrating the UK’s commitment to supporting the development of new innovation.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the development and delivery of cross-cutting innovation policy and regulatory strategy, including supporting the future evolution of innovation pathways to enable responsible innovation and improve patient access to innovative healthcare products. Manage the governance and procedural frameworks that support Innovation Accelerator regulatory pathways, including operational roles and responsibilities, including the risk register and reporting on performance against KPIs.
• Lead delivery of policy-based projects, acting as the project manager for multiple pieces of work, coordinating project roles, tasks and use of resources, and developing proposals for efficient delivery of projects.
• Monitor the broader policy landscape relating to innovative product and regulatory environment, conducing policy analysis and formulating reasoned, evidence-based arguments for change through use of data and other information to draft reports, advice and briefings to senior leaders on a variety of policy and strategy areas.
• Establish strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with the broader ambitions, including developing partnerships to support the delivery of projects and initiatives.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will:

• Be able to ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies. Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities.
• Have demonstrable experience of managing complex programmes across multiple stakeholders.
• Have demonstrable experience of strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context.
• Have experience of delivering on policy (from defining the issue, working with stakeholders, and driving through to completion).

The successful candidate will have a key role in supporting cross-Agency work to develop and implement new policy aimed at streamlining regulatory pathways that accelerate the development of innovative products. In particular, they will work closely with technical experts, government departments, health system partners, industry and international regulators to identify regulatory challenges and opportunities, develop evidence-based policy solutions, and support the implementation of regulatory approaches that facilitate innovation and improve patient access. This includes helping to shape the future policy framework for innovation pathways, including ILAP and other strategic innovation initiatives, ensuring they continue to evolve to meet the needs of patients, innovators and the wider healthcare system. The postholder will need to work across the Agency, with partners and other key stakeholders who make up the UK’s health and care infrastructure.

Person specification

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Making Effective Decisions (A, I)
• Seeing the Big Picture (A, I)
• Working Together (A, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of managing complex programmes across multiple stakeholders (A, I, P)
• Demonstrable experience of strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context (A, I, P)
• Experience of delivering on policy (from defining the issue, working with stakeholders, and driving through to completion) (A, I, P)
• Desirable: Experience of the health system and/or Life Sciences sector in the UK (A, I, P)

Technical Criteria:

• Desirable: Educated to a bachelor's degree level in a scientific discipline (A, I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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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 eac