We are currently looking for a Social Media Specialist to join our Communications and Engagement Function within the Enablement 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. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
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 MHRA Communications and Engagement Group is a multi-award-winning team that has a consistent track-record of achievement and providing value for money. Our focus is to support the agency to deliver its business outcomes by putting patients and the public at the centre of all our work. We are organised in the following teams: News & Media, Communications, Patient and Public Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Experience. This role is in our News and Media team.
The news and media team handles high-profile, sensitive and day-to-day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit. It also proactively leads on and delivers proactive and creative media and social media strategies and scientific communications. This team incorporates the social media function.
What’s the role?
The Social Media Specialist will:
Scope, write, edit, produce and publish organic and paid-for social media content creatively and proactively, enhancing the agency’s reputation and promoting the wider contribution the agency makes to public health and science nationally and globally.
Manage the agency’s social media channels, and support communications, media and marketing campaigns, using social media channels and communities to target, engage and communicate to audiences effectively and appropriately. Evaluate and optimise our social media content and channels, advising on best practice and propriety.
Key responsibilities:
Plan and create organic and paid-for social media content according to what works for the platform and its audience, with an understanding of accessibility and usability requirements, and embedding social media channels in all media handling for both proactive announcements and reactive media handling. Capable of using communications skills to develop interesting, accessible content and implement this across a range of channels.
Manage the agency’s social media accounts and advise staff and senior leaders of effective organic and targeted paid-for social media approaches, including the executive committee and chief executive.
Identify and work with key influencers on social media and collaborate across patient, public, stakeholders, the wider healthcare system and government to amplify social media messaging. Write, edit and publish content to style for our websites, using a content management system.
Ensure social media content is engaging and fresh, working with the visual and creative content lead to produce or effectively commission products such as video and images for social media e.g. infographics, and supporting the delivery of online events including podcasts, live chats, broadcasts, blogs and Tweets. Use data and analytics to ‘test and learn’, optimising our social medial content for audiences.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
Experience of developing, executing and evaluating organic and paid-for social media activity, and to optimise performance and use results to inform business decisions.
Good knowledge and experience of working with the traditional media in a busy press office in a large, complex, expert organisation, including ability to react to fast-breaking news stories.
Excellent written and social media engagement and oral communication skills with a strong, proven understanding of what makes interesting, and accessible social media content.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop good working relationships and influence social media influencers, journalists and senior managers, dealing with conflict and challenge in a calm, measured way.
Person Specification:
Behaviour Criteria:
Communicating and Influencing (A,I)
Managing a Quality Service (I)
Seeing the Big Picture (I)
Experience Criteria:
Good knowledge and experience of working with the traditional media in a busy press office in a large, complex, expert organisation, including ability to react to fast-breaking news stories. (A,I)
Experience of developing, executing and evaluating organic and paid-for social media activity, and to optimise performance and use results to inform business decisions. (A,I,T)
Technical Criteria:
Excellent written and social media engagement and oral communication skills with a strong, proven understanding of what makes interesting, and accessible social media content. (A,I,T)
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 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. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
Test, further information will be 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: Experience of developing, executing and evaluating organic and paid-for social media activity, and to optimise performance and use results to inform business decisions.
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.
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 [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 22 nd June 2026
Shortlisting date: from 24 th June 2026
Interview date: 2 nd July 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
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 [email protected] .
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 [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
[email protected]
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