Comms and Engagement Manager (Clinical Trials Regulations)

Job summary

The HRA has been working with the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on new clinical trials regulations for the UK. Proportionate legislation, complemented by guidance, has been designed to facilitate well-designed research and provide a framework for innovation in clinical trials and clinical trial design. The changes are a key part of the UK vision for the future of clinical research. We are now in a transition period before changes come into effect in 2026.

The Communications and Engagement Manager will work as part of the HRA's project team which is supporting the implementation of the new legislation, and will support the organisation's stakeholders through upcoming change.

They will manage strategic stakeholder relationships and act as an ambassador for the clinical trial regs project, within and outside the organisation.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work closely with the HRA's communications and policy and engagement teams. They will co-ordinate stakeholder groups, and ensure that evaluation metrics and stakeholder intelligence are gathered and shared across the organisation. They will also work closely with colleagues at MHRA to produce high-quality, effective communications.

A self-starter with creative ideas, the Communications and Engagement Manager will manage their own work, ensuring delivery to timelines that support the progress of the programme as a whole and support the needs of the organisation. Their work will help ensure that our stakeholders have the information that they need to successfully support them through change, helping make it easier to do clinical trials that people can trust in the UK.

About us

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.

We're committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.

We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:

1. age
2. disability
3. ethnicity
4. gender identity and expression
5. religion or belief
6. sex
7. sexual orientation
8. other diverse characteristics

We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for you, we'll do our best to make it work for us.

Please note, if applying to our Bristol, Manchester or Nottingham locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based. If applying to Newcastle we can consider an office based contract, to be discussed at interview.

Date posted: 11 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £46,148 to £52,809 a year pro rata

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 11 months

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 980-RAF1322-B

Job responsibilities

We're looking for an experienced engagement professional with excellent communications skills to join the project team to help us to achieve the project benefits.

• Developing strong relationships with key external stakeholders to help deliver the objectives of the project

• Leading on engagement to ensure that the views and experience of patients, the public and the research community inform our work

• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with communications and engagement managers of partner and key stakeholder organisations

• Planning and running stakeholder events such as workshops, interviews and user research to make sure that the new regulations reflect user and stakeholder need

• Delivering presentations and briefings to key external stakeholders, and internally as required, and representing the HRA at workshops, training events and meetings as required.

Communication:

• Commissioning and writing clear and engaging information for internal and external audiences, including presentations, press releases, web and intranet content and newsletter articles

• Working with the communications and policy and engagement teams to manage the distribution of comms to internal audiences and external stakeholders, for example through press, digital and social media, ensuring all materials adhere to HRA guidelines

• Developing effective ways to evaluate and measure the reach, success and impact of communications and engagement activities to enable learning and improved ways of working.

Planning and organisational skills / analytical skills

• Co-ordinating stakeholder groups to ensure they are effective and well managed, key information is communicated, and feedback is gathered and shared

• Writing and implementing a communications and engagement strategy and developing and delivering communications and engagement plans that use a range of techniques and approaches

• Gathering, analysing and effectively using intelligence from stakeholder interactions, whether through senior meetings, stakeholder groups or external conferences and networks, to ensure that learning is shared across the programme and the organisation

• Working with policy and guidance colleagues to enhance the usefulness and impact of information, guidance and advice for external audiences and encouraging imaginative and engaging ways to present that information.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

Essential

• Knowledge of the range of stakeholders with an interest in health research and established connections with those stakeholders
• Knowledge and experience of communications, media relations, digital media management techniques and evaluation

Desirable

• Knowledge of the UK research environment and research governance

Experience

Essential

• Strong stakeholder engagement experience, including developing engagement plans, running stakeholder groups and incorporating feedback into projects or programmes
• Experience of leading the development and implementation of communication and engagement plans

Desirable

• Experience working for a complex organisation in a political landscape

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Essential

• Strong analytical and judgemental skills including the ability to make decisions on communications and engagement options, interpreting and presenting options

Interpersonal skills

Essential

• Good networking and influencing skills: an ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships
• Excellent communication skills: an ability write and present in an engaging and clear way, tailored to the needs of the audience

Other

Essential

• Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity

Employer details

Employer name: Health Research Authority

Address: Bristol Office

Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay

Bristol

BS1 6PN

Employer's website: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/