Chief of Staff to Patient Safety Commissioner

We are currently looking for aChief of Staff to the independent Patient Safety Commissioner.This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key leadership role with extensive autonomy in the Independent Patient Safety Commissioners office which is hosted by the MHRA.

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

This is a full-time opportunity on a fixed term contract until September 2028 secondments or loans will be considered. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 4PU and some office attendance will be required in this office and in other locations set by the Commissioner. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Who are we

The Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner (OPSC) is an independent Statutory Office hosted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Patient Safety Commissioner is accountable to Parliament and appointed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review First Do No Harm published in July 2020 by Baroness Cumberlege recommended the establishment of a Patient Safety Commissioner to champion the patient voice and support and encourage the efforts of the healthcare system to improve patient safety around the use of medicines and medical devices. Our purpose is to listen to patients amplify their voices and drive the system towards the safe use of medicines and medical devices.

Whats the role

We are looking for an exceptional leader who is deeply committed to improving patient safety and has experience working in a large fast paced matrix environment where priorities often change and there is a significant amount of complexity.

Key responsibilities:

• Acting as Chief of Staff to the Patient Safety Commissioner on all aspects of her portfolio providing constructive challenge to ensure robustness in plans and messaging while providing the Commissioner with oversight of relevant policy and Private Secretary support.

• Embedding the Patient Safety Principles setting out how the Commissioner should operate but also how the healthcare system should listen to and involve patients.

• Manage a team of 3 people ensuring the smooth running of corporate services in the OPSC driving a high performing and supportive culture which develops the team while maintaining high morale.

• Acting as the primary link with DHSC sponsor team and MHRA hosting team in addition to building and maintaining strong working relationships with stakeholders across the healthcare system including DHSC policy No.10 ministerial and permanent secretary offices as well as parliamentarians and the private sector.

• Overseeing the implementation and evolution of the OPSCs strategy. Setting and communicating clear priorities driving their delivery and tracking the effectiveness of the OPSCs actions while managing the units budget.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill demonstrate the following.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish networks and reciprocal working relationships across Government the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) parliamentarians patient groups the wider health network and with the private sector.

• Significant experience of supporting senior leadership with a focus on delivering strategic priorities and strong strategic judgement.

• Experience of managing and leading a small team to support a senior member of an organisation. Private office experience would be an advantage.

• Excellent communication skills with a clear written and verbal communication style with the ability to bring people on board communicating in an open empathetic way and an ability to connect with audiences of varying degrees of knowledge.

• Experience of managing projects and handling sensitive issues and horizon scanning to identify and monitor any potential problems that may arise and to work with others to try and resolve these early on. Experience of working flexibly and at pace across diverse tasks with changing priorities.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity please 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.All information that you provide will be anonymised and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your details when reviewing your ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.

• Interview which can include questions based on theBehaviour Experience Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

• A 5-minute presentation at the beginning of the interview no slides or visual aids to be used.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of candidates demonstrating significant experience of supporting senior leadership with a focus on delivering strategic priorities and strong strategic judgement.

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: 24^th November 2025

Shortlisting date: from 25^th November 2025

Interview date:during December 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 OleylamiHead 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