We are currently looking for a Head of News and Issues Management 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 issues management team handles high-profile, sensitive and day-to-day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit. It also handles daily media enquiries.
What’s the role?
The Head of News and Issues Management will:
- Develop, lead and manage the agency’s profile and reputation on high profile, sensitive and day-to-day news and issues affecting the organisation and its remit confidently with the media, promoting, explaining and justifying its scientific expertise and wider contribution to public health and science nationally and globally.
- Lead effective news and issues management strategies at pace, developing and nurturing senior media and social media contacts, responding quickly and accurately to breaking or negative news stories to limit potentially damaging coverage and drive the agency’s reputation, evaluating outcomes and results.
Manage two news and media leads and two news and media specialists.
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Key responsibilities:
- Generate, lead, deliver and evaluate news and issues management strategies that support the business priorities and culture change set out in the agency’s business and corporate plan and act, if required, as communications account director for an agency group.
- Provide news and issues management communications advice to senior leaders, including the executive committee and chief executive.
- Produce high-quality handling plans that includes reactive lines to take, press notices, potential risks, core scripts, briefings and Q&As and considers the use of shareable social media content, ensuring work aligns and integrates with strategic communications priorities and narratives, understanding the impact and reach of the news and issues management communications and using insight to shape them further.
Develop, build and nurture professional relationships with journalists and social media influencers based on honesty, authority and credibility and stay up to date on media / social media trends.
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Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:
- Extensive knowledge and experience of running or taking a lead role in a high-profile press office, including news and issues management.
- A strong, proven understanding of news, issues and reputation management and interesting, accessible content.
- Excellent written, editorial, social media engagement and oral communications skills.
- Proven leadership and management skills, able to demonstrate experience of leading multi-functional units in a complex organisation, including motivating and developing staff, and managing their performance.
The ability to communicate accurately and confidently, influence and challenge staff and external contacts at all levels.
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Person Specification:
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
- Communicating and Influencing (A,I,P)
- Delivering at Pace (I)
- Leadership (I)
- Seeing the Big Picture (I)
Experience Criteria:
- Extensive knowledge and experience of running or taking a lead role in a high-profile press office, including news and issues management, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation in a large, complex, expert organization. (A,I)
- Proven leadership and management skills, able to demonstrate experience of leading multi-functional units in a complex organisation, including motivating and developing staff, and managing their performance. (A,I)
Technical Criteria:
- Excellent written, editorial, social media engagement and oral communications skills with a strong, proven understanding of news, issues and reputation management and interesting, accessible content. A recognised communications qualification is desirable. (A,I,P)
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.
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 knowledge and experience of running or taking a lead role in a high-profile press office, including news and issues management, to deliver business objectives and enhance reputation in a large, complex, expert organisation.
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: 8 th July 2026
Shortlisting date: from 13 th July 2026
Interview date: from 21st 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]
Civil Service Commission
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