Senior Service Designer

This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners rules.

We are currently looking for a Senior Service Designer to join our Digital and Service DesignFunction within the Digital and Technologygroup.

This is a full-time opportunity on a fixed term contractbasis until 30 November 2026. The role will be based in 7-8 Wellington Place Leeds.

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.

A Digital Allowance of up to 20371 per annum may be available for exceptional candidates based on our assessment of your skills and experience. This allowance is non-pensionable and may change on an annual basis.

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.

TheDigital and Technology Group(DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists inspectors and the rest of the organisation to deliver world-class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives both to transform the Agencys legacy technologies and to deliver innovativenew Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU.

WithinDigital 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

Werelooking for an experiencedSenior ServiceDesignerto help grow and shape ourUser-centredDesign practice at the will coordinatecustomerscolleaguesand stakeholdersworkhands-on with research and data to deliver insights; and createartefactsthat help the Agency deliver great servicesand business will be experienced inleadinguser-centred design activities mentoring othersandprovidingstrategic guidance.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design of services on large or complex programmes and support the wider organisational objectives and strategic priorities. You are able to think holistically about the big picture whilst also comfortable working on the detail.

• Guide support and lead other designers within the core UCD team including line management responsibility for another service designer.Provide expert insight into how to select the correct methods assess the best options for the agency and how to prioritise tasks against the agency needs.

• Design in a user-centred way understand the MHRAs internal and external customers what their needs are and take these into account when designing digital services. You will have experience of advocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design work.

• Design and develop key service design artefacts such as service blueprints and customer journeys.

• Use evidence from research and data to inform design and management decisions working closely with user researchers to interpret findings and select the most appropriate methods.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill have:

• Degreelevelqualification or equivalent professional experience in service design.

• Strong experience working within aUser-centredDesign approach.

• Good experienceof working within an agile delivery frameworkandGDS Service Standard.

• Experience ofadvocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design workusing user research and data toidentifyproblems inform design decisions and influence stakeholders.

• Experience ofexplaining design ideas and concepts in a way that others canunderstand includingvisualisingsketchingand prototyping.

• Experience of coachingmentoringor supporting the development of other designers.

Person Specification:

Method of assessment:AApplication IInterview PPresentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Managing a Quality Service (I)

• Seeing the Big Picture (I P)

• Communicating and Influencing (I P)

• Delivering at Pace (A)

Experience Criteria:

• Experience ofadvocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design workusing user research and data toidentifyproblems inform design decisions and influence stakeholders (I)

• Experience of engaging with stakeholders and colleagues froma range ofdisciplines in a variety of ways as well as the ability to work autonomously away from their team (P)

• Experience ofmaking effective decisions using user research and datain order toimprove a service reducecomplexityand generatenew ideas (A)

• Experience developing and improving services in complex or regulated environments withpublic sector experience desirable but not essential (A)

• Experience ofexplaining design ideas and concepts in a way that others canunderstand includingvisualisingsketchingand prototyping (I)

• Experience of coachingmentoringor supporting the development of other designers (A I)

• Degreelevelqualification or equivalent professional experience in service design (A I)

• Strong experience working within aUser-centredDesign approach (I)

• Good experienceof working within an agile delivery frameworkandGDS Service Standard (I)

Technical Criteria:

Strengths Criteria

• Motivator (I)

• Challenger (I)

• Influencer (I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunityplease 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

The selection process:

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

• Online application form including a statement of suitability of no more than 250 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. Our applications are CV blind and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV 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 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 Experience ofadvocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design workusing user research and data toidentifyproblems inform design decisions and influence stakeholders.

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.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application however all examples and statements provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see ourcandidate guidancefor more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process please contact as soon as possible.

Closing date:6 May 2026

Shortlisting date: from 7 May 2026

Interview date:from 18 May 2026

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.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary or the pay band minimum whichever is the greater.

The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency unless there are special circumstances such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

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 in the first instance you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at.

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