Senior Service Designer

Job Description

We are currently looking for a Senior Service Designer to join our Digital and Service Design Function within the Digital and Technology group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract basis until 30 November 2026. The role will be based in 7-8 Wellington Place, Leeds.

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. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

A Digital Allowance of up to £20,371 per annum may be available for exceptional candidates based on our assessment of your skills and experience. This allowance is non-pensionable and may change on an annual basis.

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 Digital and Technology Group (DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world-class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agency’s legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU.  

Within Digital and Technology Group, the Digital and Service Design Group (D&SDG) provides several services through its practice-based model including user-research, design, business analysis, change management and product management. D&SDG owns the customer experience for the division and is currently building its in-house capabilities around Digital Product Management and User Centred Design.  

What’s the role?

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Service Designer to help grow and shape our  User- centred  Design practice at the MHRA. You  will coordinate customers, colleagues and stakeholders, work hands-on with research and data to deliver insights; and create artefacts that help the Agency deliver great services and business benefits. You will be experienced in leading user-centred design activities, mentoring others, and providing strategic guidance.  

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design of services on large or complex programmes and support the wider organisational objectives and strategic priorities. You are able to think holistically about the big picture whilst also comfortable working on the detail.
• Guide, support, and lead other designers within the core UCD team, including line management responsibility for another service designer. Provide expert insight into how to select the correct methods, assess the best options for the agency and how to prioritise tasks against the agency needs.
• Design in a user- centred way, understand the MHRA’s internal and external customers, what their needs are and take these into account when designing digital services. You will have experience of advocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design work.

Design and develop key service design artefacts such as service blueprints and customer journeys.

Use evidence from research and data to inform design and management decisions, working closely with user researchers to interpret findings and select the most appropriate methods.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have: 

• Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience in service design.  
• Strong experience working within a User-centred Design approach.  
• Good experience of working within an agile delivery framework and GDS Service Standard. 
• Experience of advocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design work, using user research and data to identify problems, inform design decisions, and influence stakeholders. 
• Experience of explaining design ideas and concepts in a way that others can understand, including visualising, sketching and prototyping.  
• Experience of coaching, mentoring or supporting the development of other designers. 
  
  

Person Specification

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

Technical Criteria

• Degree level qualification or equivalent professional experience in service design (A, I)
• Strong experience working within a User-centred Design approach (I)
• Good experience of working within an agile delivery framework and GDS Service Standard (I)
  
  

Strengths Criteria

• Motivator (I)
• Challenger (I)
• Influencer (I)
  
  

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification !

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact  careers@mhra.gov.uk

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 E xperience of advocating for people and user needs in all aspects of design work, using user research and data to identify problems, inform design decisions, and influence stakeholders .

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: 24 March 2026

Shortlisting date: from 27 March 2026

Interview date: from 7 April 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 .

Role

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 c

larification 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, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at 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 

About Us

ABOUT US

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.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate, Digital & Technology, Enablement, Healthcare Quality & Access, Partnerships, Safety & Surveillance and Scientific Research & Innovation.