Head of User Centred Design

We are currently looking for a Head of User Centred Design to join our Digital & Service Designteam within the Digital & Technology group.

Please note this opportunity is currently only available to those working within the Civil Service. Applications from non-Civil Servants may not be reviewed and may be rejected.

This is a full-time opportunity on a loan or temporary promotionbasis for an estimated time of one year for maternity cover. We would like for the successful candidate to start on 1 November 2025 if possible.

The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 4PU or South Mimms Hertfordshire. 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 Digital and Technology Grouplies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering optimised technology and maximising the secure use of data to enable the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services. Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives both to transform the Agencys legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions and services designed around our customers needs.

Within Digital and Technology Group the Digital and Service Design Group (D&SDG) provides several services through its practice-based model including user-research design business analysis change management and product management. D&SDG owns the customer experience for the division and is currently building its in-house capabilities around Digital Product Management and User Centred Design.

Whats the role

Over the past three years we have been on an exciting journey to introduce user-centred design and product management approaches into how we design build and maintain our digital products and services.

Your work will include contributing to the development of new digital products and services with a view to improving the user experience for our external users (industry patients members of the public and healthcare professionals) and MHRA colleagues. This will include looking at the design of user journeys and how users interact with our wide-ranging. And once its built youll constantly be looking for ways to improve our products and services.

Key responsibilities:

• Responsible for developing and shaping strategies to introduce and drive awareness of user needs and UCD; building the influence of the team and supporting services across the organisation; using advanced negotiating and influencing skills with senior leaders across our organisation to embed the practice.

• Lead a team of in-house designers and researchers and oversee the work of an extended team of off-payroll designers and UX professionals which scales and flexes dependent on the Agencys digital roadmap. You will need to ensure effective deployment of the team to meet demand and focus on ensuring the right conditions and environment for designers to work effectively.

• Be an active member of the MHRAs Digital and Technology Groups Senior Leadership Group (SLG). Manage the UCD teams operating budget shape contracts when external supplier support is required and work with the agencys procurement and finance teams to execute contracts.

• Work with development teams to design the scope of new services across the end to end journey (including digital services offline journeys service centers) so that it works seamlessly for users.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill have:

• User Centred Design expertise - demonstrable experience of giving direction on which tools or methods to use. Experienced in understanding and meeting the needs of users across a variety of channels. Ability to identify analyse and think of new ways to ensure customer satisfaction

• Good experience of Transformation and Digital projects within an agile delivery framework

• Demonstrable Behaviours of Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Managing a Quality Serviceand Leadership

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

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The selection process:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidatesfind out more here.

• Online application form including questions based on theBehaviour 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 theBehaviour 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 Seeing the Big Picture.

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 allowsufficienttime. You can view the competencies 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 as soon as possible.

Closing date:1 August 2025

Shortlisting date: 4 8 August 2025

Interview date:18 20 August 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 questionsplease contact

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality information on whether you are able to apply is availablehere.

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 completebasic 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 applicants 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 eligibilityhere.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries please contact.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointmenton the basis ofmerit 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 Oyelami Head of Talent Acquisition .

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ