Head of Communications

Details
Reference number

438711

Salary

£63,000 - £63,000

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

9 - 12 months (maternity cover)

Business area

HFEA - Communications

Type of role

Communications / Marketing

Working pattern

Flexible working

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

London

About the job
Job summary

The HFEA is the UK's independent regulator overseeing safe and appropriate practice in fertility treatment and embryo research. We license and monitor clinics carrying out IVF, donor insemination, and human embryo research.

We are looking for an innovative and strategic Head of Communications to lead our high-profile work.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fascinating area of public health, bringing together media and social media experience, patient facing and clinic communications. You will oversee a team of five and be expected to take a leadership role on all communications activities frequently reporting to the Authority (the Board) and Senior Management Team.

Person specification

This role would suit somebody who is proactive, can work effectively as part of a team and can balance competing priorities at the same time as being able to handle communications issues or crises as they arise. You should be a credible leader and be able to effectively manage a broad portfolio of responsibilities, with proven experience in overseeing a communications team that provides effective internal and external communications, media relations, public affairs, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. You should be an excellent team leader and be able to build strong and supportive working relationships with senior leaders. You should also have experience of developing and delivering communications and engagement strategies which support corporate aims. You will be highly collaborative; you will work closely with the senior team, the Chair, the Authority and staff so that they get the support and advice they need to carry out their functions effectively.

You will have the chance to make a real and tangible difference to our work. For more information about the work we do, visit our website and our social media channels.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,000, Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority contributes £18,251 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know
Selection process details

Application and competency based interview.

Interviews in person @Redman Place on 15 December 2025

No agencies please

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : Clare Ettinghausen
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

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