Deputy Director of Infrastructure & Laboratory Services

Organisation: Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Job Title: Deputy Director of Infrastructure & Laboratory Services

Job Type: Permanent, full-time

Salary Range: £81,000-£117,800

Key Benefits: Civil Service pension scheme (employer contribution of 28.97%); 25 days annual leave

Location: South Mimms / Hertfordshire (predominantly site-based role)

Allen Lane is proud to be supporting the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in their search for a permanent Deputy Director of Infrastructure & Laboratory Services.

This is an SCS1 grade position, where you will lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for Facilities Management (soft Facilities Management) of the Agency’s London and Leeds offices and South Mimms site.

The MHRA 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 two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

This role is critical to providing the engineering and specialist skills to deliver a safe working environment for staff particularly in our scientific facilities. The postholder will also play a critical role in leading multiple capital projects to upgrade the South Mimms site infrastructure.

The South Mimms site is where the Agency carries out the majority of its scientific activities. Staff undertake world-leading research into cell-based therapies, diagnostics and therapeutics in partnerships with international organisations, to be at the forefront of protecting public health in the UK and internationally. In addition, we host the UK Stem Cell Bank which supports scientific research and the clinical development of stem cell therapies in the UK and internationally.

The site is heavily laboratory based, operating a range of general laboratories right up to and including CL4 / SAPO4 containment suites, cleanrooms and production capabilities. These specialist scientific facilities perform a vital function as the UK National Control Laboratory and a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Biological Standards. These are one of only four global WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories for influenza, producing reference materials for influenza vaccines throughout the world.

This is a tough job as you will be the go-to person for everything relating from physical security to waste, steam leaks to electrical failures and everything in-between. The role does require resilience to keep everything running and meeting the various statutory obligations. In addition, there are several significant capital projects that are in flight including the delivery of a new energy centre to meet the Agency’s net zero ambitions.

In order to demonstrate your ability to fulfil this role, applicants should be able to demonstrate experience with the following essential criteria within their application:

• A relevant scientific, technical or engineering qualification and background.
• A relevant Leadership and Project Management qualification or background.
• Understanding of how infrastructure of a specialist site needs to fulfil complex formal requirements.
• This could be experience from a related Government organisation, hospital or Pharmaceutical or related industry that has (but not limited to) complex engineering infrastructure including steam distribution systems; air handling systems to provide a pressure cascade and or effluent treatment systems.
• Proven leadership ability at senior level that will ensure the required infrastructure (office and laboratory estates) and laboratory services are available to deliver a safe working environment in offices and specialist scientific facilities to allow the Agency staff to deliver their objectives.
• Experience of delivering complex projects that have multiple stakeholders with significant uncertainty and interdependencies over a medium to long period.
• High level of proficiency with MS Office and familiarity with other software tools that can assist finance teams deliver effectively for their customers.

It is imperative that candidates demonstrate the following behaviours for this role:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

For full details on the role, organisation and personal specification, please review the candidate pack.

In order to apply, applicants must submit the following by 9:00 on Monday 10th December to MHRA@allenlane.co.uk.

• A CV (no more than 4 pages is advised).
• A statement of suitability (no longer than 1,250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria and Success Profiles in the person specification.
• A completed Mandatory Diversity Monitoring Form – click here to complete.

In addition to this brilliant and fulfilling role, the MHRA will provide you with excellent employee benefits, including eligibility to the Civil Service pension scheme (employer contribution of 28.97%).

This role can be based at MHRA’s location in South Mimms site near Potters Bar. MHRA support flexible working, however for this role 4 days per week on site should be expected. Unfortunately, relocation costs will not be reimbursed. Please note that basic background checks will be undertaken before the postholder commences employment.