Head of Events - £75,585 - £84,840 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

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 MHRA Communications and Engagement Group is a multi-award-winning function responsible for news and media, communications, marketing, events, external affairs, and patient, public and customer engagement. The team plays a vital role in supporting the Agency's strategic objectives by placing patients and the public at the centre of everything it does.

The Communications function develops and delivers integrated communications and engagement activity that supports organisational priorities, protects and enhances reputation, and builds trust with patients, the public, stakeholders and partners. The Events function leads the strategic planning, development and delivery of the MHRA's corporate events programme, ensuring events are a key driver of stakeholder engagement, organisational reputation and business outcomes. The function delivers high-quality in-person, virtual and hybrid events that connect priority audiences with the Agency's work, support corporate objectives, strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders, and enhance trust in the MHRA. It works collaboratively across communications, external affairs and business teams to deliver integrated, audience-focused engagement activity.

We are currently looking for a Head of Event to join our Communications and Engagement Team.

Role Purpose

• This is a senior leadership role requiring high visibility and influence across the Agency to provide strategic advice and ensure events support delivery of the Agency’s business outcomes.
• This is a multi-disciplinary events role responsible for managing internal and external events, and relationships at a senior level, to develop and deliver against our communications and engagement strategies for senior leaders, staff and external partners, and delivering through others including digital, marketing, media communications and brand management.
• Outcomes will be measured by strong stakeholder and audience engagement and agreed objectives in events as part of communications and engagement strategies, including trust in the agency, its leadership and clear direction and demonstrable value indicators across the Agency, as measured through event surveys and broader communications and engagement metrics, including the annual reputation survey.

Job description

• Lead the events team, ensuring high quality service provision through providing impactful events and webinars in line with the aims of the organisation and the Communications and Reputation Plan, with the ability to develop and deliver events to a range of external and internal audiences.
• Provide strategic and proactive events advice and delivery for senior leaders, including the executive committee, chief executive and board. Ensure all events are insight-led and targeted towards clearly defined priority audiences, including key stakeholders, partners and influencers.
• Position events as a core pillar of the Agency’s communications and reputation plan, supporting delivery of corporate priorities through integrated, audience-led engagement. Deliver an impactful and strategic programme of annual events to raise the profile and enhance the reputation of the MHRA and to further the aims of the agency, nationally and internationally. This will support business strategy and priorities and internal culture change as required.
• Identify, plan, and deliver a programme of strategically developed events that engages our stakeholders, customers and audiences, through impactful and innovative content accessible to all audiences, tailored to our messaging, and aligned with broader communications and engagement activity. Oversee the development of innovative, accessible and hybrid event formats, maximising digital reach and engagement alongside in-person delivery.
• Work in close alignment with external affairs to design and deliver stakeholder engagement activity that builds advocacy, relationships and influence among priority audiences. Ensure full integration of events with media, digital, marketing and stakeholder engagement activity to deliver coherent, multi-channel communications activity and maximise impact.
• Oversee the efficient management and development of the agency’s resources to deliver a programme of events, including the events team and budget. Lead the development and delivery of a single, integrated annual events plan, aligned with the Communications and Reputation Plan and corporate planning cycles.
• Act as communications account director for one of the key Groups in the Agency, attending senior leadership team meetings and ensuring all communications and engagement is strategically coordinated to support their corporate priorities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral, with the ability to accurately and confidently communicate, influence and challenge staff and external contacts at all levels.
• A confident self-starter, who can operate independently and manage conflicting priorities while delivering to deadline but can also operate flexibly as part of a team and encourages feedback and the views of others.
• Extensive senior experience of designing, managing and delivering professional quality events for high-profile organisations. Includes: drafting action plans, securing required resource and setting performance standards. (Lead).
• Proven senior leadership and management skills, able to demonstrate experience of leading multi-functional events teams in a complex organisation, including motivating and developing staff, and managing their performance.
• Demonstrable track record of developing event communications and materials, including pre- and post-event collateral, using a range of communications tools and techniques.
• Strong event management skills, with a proven understanding of what makes a good event to meet business and audience needs.
• Lead projects involving cross organisational and external team members including ability to anticipate potential risks, handle any unanticipated problems and develop and communicate creative solutions to achieve successful resolution whilst delivering a high standard of customer service.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,585, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £21,896 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).

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. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
• Privilege Leave: 1 day
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
• Eligibility to join Motoring , Boundless by CSMA
• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
• On-going learning and development

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, 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.
• 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 the Behaviour, 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: Extensive senior experience of designing, managing and delivering professional quality events for high-profile organisations.

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 allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Closing date: 9th September 2026

Shortlisting date: from 11th September 2026

Interview date: from Wednesday 23rd September 2026

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

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 complete basic 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 applicant’s 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 eligibility here.

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 careers@mhra.gov.uk.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit 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 careers@mhra.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

info@csc.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.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 theCivil 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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 : The Resourcing Team
• Email : Lucy.cooke@mhra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Further information

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit 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 contact the Resourcing team at Careers@mhra.gov.uk, in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk - info@csc.gov.uk - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ