Chief of Staff to Patient Safety Commissioner

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; Greater London; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent regulatory body in the UK is looking for a Chief of Staff to support the Patient Safety Commissioner. This is a leadership role requiring strong interpersonal skills and strategic judgment, focusing on improving patient safety. The successful candidate will manage a team and collaborate with various stakeholders to oversee strategic initiatives. The position is full-time on a fixed-term contract until September 2028, with some office attendance required in London.

Qualifications

• Significant experience supporting senior leadership focused on strategic priorities.
• Ability to establish networks and relationships across various sectors.
• Experience managing and leading a small team.

Responsibilities

• Act as Chief of Staff providing support and challenge.
• Manage a team ensuring smooth running of corporate services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic judgement

Communication skills

Project management

Job description

Description

We are currently looking for a Chief of Staff to the independent Patient Safety Commissioner. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key leadership role with extensive autonomy in the Independent Patient Safety Commissioners office which is hosted by the MHRA.

Please note this opportunity is currently only available to those working within the Civil Service. Applications from non‑Civil Servants will not be reviewed and will be rejected.

This is a full‑time opportunity on a fixed‑term contract until September 2028. Secondments or loans will be considered. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 4PU and some office attendance will be required in this office and in other locations set by the Commissioner. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Who are we

The Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner (OPSC) is an independent Statutory Office hosted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Patient Safety Commissioner is accountable to Parliament and appointed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review First Do No Harm published in July 2020 by Baroness Cumberlege recommended the establishment of a Patient Safety Commissioner to champion the patient voice and support and encourage the efforts of the healthcare system to improve patient safety around the use of medicines and medical devices. Our purpose is to listen to patients amplify their voices and drive the system towards the safe use of medicines and medical devices.

Whats the role

We are looking for an exceptional leader who is deeply committed to improving patient safety and has experience working in a large fast‑paced matrix environment where priorities often change and there is a significant amount of complexity.

Key responsibilities

• Acting as Chief of Staff to the Patient Safety Commissioner on all aspects of her portfolio providing constructive challenge to ensure robustness in plans and messaging while providing the Commissioner with oversight of relevant policy and Private Secretary support.
• Embedding the Patient Safety Principles setting out how the Commissioner should operate but also how the healthcare system should listen to and involve patients.
• Manage a team of 3 people ensuring the smooth running of corporate services in the OPSC driving a high‑performing and supportive culture which develops the team while maintaining high morale.
• Acting as the primary link with DHSC sponsor team and MHRA hosting team in addition to building and maintaining strong working relationships with stakeholders across the healthcare system including DHSC policy No.10 ministerial and permanent secretary offices as well as parliamentarians and the private sector.
• Overseeing the implementation and evolution of the OPSCs strategy. Setting and communicating clear priorities driving their delivery and tracking the effectiveness of the OPSCs actions while managing the units budget.

Who are we looking for

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish networks and reciprocal working relationships across Government, the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), parliamentarians, patient groups, the wider health network and with the private sector.
• Significant experience of supporting senior leadership with a focus on delivering strategic priorities and strong strategic judgement.
• Experience of managing and leading a small team to support a senior member of an organisation. Private office experience would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills with a clear written and verbal communication style with the ability to bring people on board communicating in an open empathetic way and an ability to connect with audiences of varying degrees of knowledge.
• Experience of managing projects and handling sensitive issues and horizon scanning to identify and monitor any potential problems that may arise and to work with others to try and resolve these early on. Experience of working flexibly and at pace across diverse tasks with changing priorities.

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. All information that you provide will be anonymised and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your details when reviewing your ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.

Interview which can include questions based on the Behaviour Experience Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

• A 5‑minute presentation at the beginning of the interview no slides or visual aids to be used.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of candidates demonstrating significant experience of supporting senior leadership with a focus on delivering strategic priorities and strong strategic judgement.

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 allowsufficienttime. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own.

Adjustments

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process please contact as soon as possible.

Closing date

24th November 2025

Shortlisting date

25th November 2025

Interview date

During December 2025

Other information

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 applicants 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.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries please contact.

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 Florentina Oleylami Head of Talent Acquisition.

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: Civil Service Commission Room G / 8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ.

Required Experience

Senior IC

Key Skills

Compliance Management, Customer Retention, Quality Assurance, Customer Service, Extensive Knowledge, Account Management, Front Office, Telephone Calls, Needs Analysis, Cold calls, Business Relationships, Customer Complaints, Sales Goals, Sales Process, New Clients

Employment Type

Contract

Experience

Years

Vacancy

1