Deputy Director of Infrastructure

Deputy Director of Infrastructure & Laboratory Services Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is seeking a permanent Deputy Director of Infrastructure & Laboratory Services. The role is a SCS1 grade position where you will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for Facilities Management (soft Facilities Management) of the Agency’s London and Leeds offices and South Mimms site. The MHRA enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The agency employs roughly 1600 staff across two main centres and throughout the UK and abroad. This critical role provides the engineering and specialist skills to deliver a safe working environment for staff, particularly in scientific facilities, and will lead multiple capital projects to upgrade the South Mimms site infrastructure. The South Mimms site is the agency’s primary scientific hub, hosting the UK Stem Cell Bank and operating a range of laboratories up to CL4/SAPO4 containment, cleanrooms, and production facilities. The laboratory facilities serve as the UK National Control Laboratory and a WHO Collaborating Centre for Biological Standards, and are one of four global WHO Essential Regulatory Laboratories for influenza, producing reference materials worldwide. The Deputy Director will be the go-to person for everything relating to physical security, waste, steam leaks, electrical failures, and more, ensuring operations meet statutory obligations. The role will also oversee several significant capital projects, including delivering a new energy centre to support the Agency’s net‑zero ambitions. Minimum Experience & Qualifications A relevant scientific, technical or engineering qualification and background. A relevant Leadership and Project Management qualification or background. Understanding of how infrastructure on a specialist site must fulfil complex formal requirements. Experience from a related Government organisation, hospital, or pharmaceutical/related industry that has complex engineering infrastructure (e.g., steam distribution systems, air handling systems providing a pressure cascade, or effluent treatment systems). Proven senior‑level leadership ability to ensure required infrastructure (office and laboratory estates) and laboratory services remain available to deliver a safe working environment. Experience delivering complex projects with multiple stakeholders, significant uncertainty, and interdependencies over medium‑ to long‑term periods. High level of proficiency with MS Office and familiarity with other software tools that assist finance teams to deliver effectively for their customers. Key Behaviours Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Application Requirements A CV (no more than 4 pages). 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. To apply, submit the above documents to MHRA@allenlane.co.uk by 9:00 on Monday 10th December. This role can be based at the South Mimms site near Potters Bar. MHRA supports flexible working, but for this role four days per week on site is expected. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed. Basic background checks will be undertaken before the postholder commences employment. Benefits Eligibility for the Civil Service pension scheme (employer contribution of 28.97%). 25 days annual leave. Other employee benefits as per MHRA policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr