Programme Director - £81,000-£117,800 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Programme Director within the Healthcare Quality and Access 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.

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 agency is made up of c.1600 staff working across three main centres, in Canary Wharf as part of the Government Hub, in South Mimms near Potters Bar, where our laboratories are located, and from our newly established Leeds office.

Job description

What’s the role?

The Programme Director will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the programme. This will include ensuring that new business processes are fit for the future; ensuring that new processes are captured in clear user stories; managing our technology partners to deliver on time and on budget; and planning and executing the change programme that will enable us to deploy new processes, whilst continuing to deliver current high levels of performance.

This is a senior leadership role requiring excellent judgement, resilience and the ability to operate credibly at Executive and Board level.

Key responsibilities:

Programme Leadership and Accountability

• Act as the accountable lead for day‑to‑day programme delivery, supporting the SRO in meeting their responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain a clear delivery vision, translating strategic objectives into executable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Ensure intercalation of all dependant projects and programme
• Provide strong, inclusive leadership to a large, multi‑disciplinary programme team, setting clear direction, objectives and expectations.

Governance, Assurance and Control

• Design and operate clear, proportionate programme governance in line with IPA and departmental requirements, including supporting the SRO to ensure the programme scope and deliverables are clear and reflected in the programme business case.
• Ensure accurate and transparent reporting to Programme Boards, Executive Committees and cross-government governance forums.
• Oversee proactive risk, issue and dependency management across a complex ecosystem including suppliers, government departments and scientific partners.
• Lead engagement with internal (EPMO/Executive Committee) and external assurance (DHSC, IPA, NISTA), responding decisively to recommendations.

Digital and Technology Delivery

• Oversee major digital change programme, ensuring compliance with financial, regulatory and quality standards.
• Lead delivery of associated digital and data platforms that enable research, regulatory processes or scientific operations.
• Ensure alignment with DDaT frameworks, architectural standards and data governance requirements.
• Aligning delivery to current sustainability requirements.
• Hold contractors, integrators and technical delivery partners to account for performance, cost and quality, taking swift appropriate action if performance is inadequate.

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Build strong, trusted relationships across government, regulators, academia, industry and public stakeholders.
• Communicate complex technical, scientific and infrastructure issues with clarity and impact to a range of audiences.
• Ensure that programme impacts, benefits and risks are well understood across the stakeholder landscape.
• Ensure the programme is fully integrated and aligned to core operational delivery.

People and Capability

• Build a high‑performing, inclusive and inter-disciplinary programme team with the right blend of skills and capacity.
• Role-model Civil Service values and leadership behaviours.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, learning and psychological safety.
• Ensure equality, diversity, accessibility and neurodiversity considerations are embedded in programme design and delivery.
• Work towards achieving Government Project Delivery Accreditation- the postholder will be supported where they do not already hold this

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Understanding of project delivery governance including service assessments, spend controls, and accessibility, security and data protection requirements, ensuring compliance with financial and regulatory requirements.
• Extensive experience of using Agile delivery methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience of holding technology delivery partners to account for delivery of agreed outcomes.
• One or more of the following qualifications/accreditation: MSP Practitioner qualification; PRINCE2 Practitioner; Agile Project Management Practitioner; APM Chartered Project Professional; Major Projects Leadership Academy; Project Leadership Programme; Leading and Managing Project Workstreams; ILA associated qualifications are desirable.

Person specification

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Leadership (I,P)
• Seeing the Bigger Picture (I,P)
• Making Effective Decisions (A,I)
• Communicating and Influencing (A,I)

Experience Criteria:

• Understanding of project delivery governance including service assessments, spend controls, and accessibility, security and data protection requirements, ensuring compliance with financial and regulatory requirements. (A)
• Experience in leading large-scale digital transformation/channel shift programmes or complex technology programmes, including the ability to shape strategy, navigate complex organisational systems and drive significant system changes to achieve outcomes. Skilled in stakeholder management, negotiation, and influencing at senior levels. (P)

• Extensive experience of using Agile delivery methodologies. (A)
• Demonstrable experience of holding technology delivery partners to account for delivery of agreed outcomes. (A/I)

Technical Criteria:

• Skilled at linking organizational strategic aims to business needs and translating this into system and digital requirements. (I)

• One or more of the following qualifications/accreditation is essential. (A)
• MSP Practitioner qualification
• PRINCE2 Practitioner
• Agile Project Management Practitioner
• APM Chartered Project Professional
• Major Projects Leadership Academy
• Project Leadership Programme
• Leading and Managing Project Workstreams
• ILA associated qualifications are desirable

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £23,465 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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

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

• Application, which will include a CV, which should demonstrate how you meet the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profile criteria. Please submit your application to Allen Lane by visiting this websiteProgramme Director (SCS1) - Allen Lane
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Understanding of project delivery governance including service assessments, spend controls, and accessibility, security and data protection requirements, ensuring compliance with financial and regulatory requirements.

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 our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 5th May 2026

Shortlisting date: week commencing 11th May 2026

Interview date: 27th – 29th May 2026

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

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.

Standard Cabinet Office rules on pay will apply to civil servants appointed on level transfer or promotion. Their salary will increase to the minimum of the SCS PB1 range or by a promotion award of up to 10% more than their current basic salary excluding all allowances (whichever is the greater).

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing basic salary excluding all allowances. You may be eligible for a non-consolidated annual bonus payment, subject to successful performance, in line with the Senior Civil Service pay arrangements. These are set annually within the guidelines laid down by the Cabinet Office.

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.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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

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 : careers@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