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. 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.
The start date will be no earlier than mid February 2026.
Main duties of the job
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.
Closing date: Midnight, 2 December 2025 (we reserve the right to close
this role early, should we receive sufficient applications. You are therefore advised to apply for this
role when you see it and do not wait for the closing date.
To progress this application, you will need to provide evidence of your
right to work in the UK. We are unable
to offer sponsorship for this role.
No agency contact please we will not be considering agency CVs.
Interview date: Monday 15
December 2025 (in person @ Redman Place)
About us
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.
This post is
offered as either office based (in which case you will need to attend the
office at least one day per week)or home based (in which case office attendance will be specified by
your line manager based on business need). Our office is in Stratford, east
London, in attractive new premises on the edge of the Olympic Park, alongside
several other health Arms Length Bodies. In addition to flexibility and hybrid
working we offer generous annual leave and pension arrangements.
The HFEA is a
member of the Community Race and Work Charter and the Disability Confident
Charter. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working
environment that is free from any form of discrimination. We recognise that
there are real benefits of having a diverse community of staff and aim for our
workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society. Additionally,
we adopt a culture that hopes to attract and retain talented individuals that
want to work with us.
In November 2024, the HFEA was awarded People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award 2024.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Head of Communications plays a key role in delivering
the HFEAs strategic objectives and core statutory responsibilities. Working closely with other senior colleagues,
you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to the
communications team that provides effective internal and external
communications, media relations, public affairs, advocacy, and stakeholder
engagement support to the HFEA. You will bring together under your leadership
different functions including website management and patient engagement and will
ensure appropriate out-of-hours cover for media and communications.
You will be working to develop and enhance the overarching
external engagement and communications strategy including social media.
The HFEA has several key stakeholders including
prospective and current patients and their partners, donors and donor conceived
people, professional staff, licensed clinics, researchers, other regulators and
the DHSC as our sponsor department, the wider heath and regulatory field and patient
support groups, charities and campaigning organisations. We have a statutory duty to provide
information.
We want to ensure our reach is as wide as it can be
using our website, social media channels, speaking opportunities, stakeholder
engagement and media work.
You will be a strategist and innovator. You will
lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement strategies
which support the 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 play a key role in supporting collaboration and
innovation across the organisation and the media. As a small organisation you
will need to balance the strategic with rolling up your sleeves and getting
stuck in. This means you will be expected to be across teams internally and
develop strong relationships internally and externally.
Key responsibilities
1.
To lead
the development and implementation of communications, stakeholder, media and
social media strategies
2.
To
oversee delivery of communications outputs, including media relations, online
publications (data reports and other corporate content), social media content, website
updates and development and ensure they are at a high level and have impact
3.
To work
with a range of colleagues to ensure that external stakeholders are informed,
engaged and have good relationships with the HFEA
4.
To lead
and manage the provision of communications advice to the Chair of the Authority
and senior HFEA staff
5.
To
represent the Authority in public, including in the media, when required and
support an out of hours press office function
6.
To
contribute to the strategic and business planning work of the Authority
7.
To lead
a team, equipping staff, through appraisal and support, with the confidence and
skills to fulfil their tasks to achieve stretching levels of performance. To provide development opportunities to
maintain their growth and, through the revision and review of performance
measurement and management processes.
8.
To
manage allocated budgets, contracts and projects, as required and agreed with
line-manager
9.
Be an
effective team leader, member of the Strategy and Corporate Affairs directorate
leadership team and wider Corporate Management Group.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Head of Communications plays a key role in delivering
the HFEAs strategic objectives and core statutory responsibilities. Working closely with other senior colleagues,
you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership to the
communications team that provides effective internal and external
communications, media relations, public affairs, advocacy, and stakeholder
engagement support to the HFEA. You will bring together under your leadership
different functions including website management and patient engagement and will
ensure appropriate out-of-hours cover for media and communications.
You will be working to develop and enhance the overarching
external engagement and communications strategy including social media.
The HFEA has several key stakeholders including
prospective and current patients and their partners, donors and donor conceived
people, professional staff, licensed clinics, researchers, other regulators and
the DHSC as our sponsor department, the wider heath and regulatory field and patient
support groups, charities and campaigning organisations. We have a statutory duty to provide
information.
We want to ensure our reach is as wide as it can be
using our website, social media channels, speaking opportunities, stakeholder
engagement and media work.
You will be a strategist and innovator. You will
lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement strategies
which support the 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 play a key role in supporting collaboration and
innovation across the organisation and the media. As a small organisation you
will need to balance the strategic with rolling up your sleeves and getting
stuck in. This means you will be expected to be across teams internally and
develop strong relationships internally and externally.
Key responsibilities
1.
To lead
the development and implementation of communications, stakeholder, media and
social media strategies
2.
To
oversee delivery of communications outputs, including media relations, online
publications (data reports and other corporate content), social media content, website
updates and development and ensure they are at a high level and have impact
3.
To work
with a range of colleagues to ensure that external stakeholders are informed,
engaged and have good relationships with the HFEA
4.
To lead
and manage the provision of communications advice to the Chair of the Authority
and senior HFEA staff
5.
To
represent the Authority in public, including in the media, when required and
support an out of hours press office function
6.
To
contribute to the strategic and business planning work of the Authority
7.
To lead
a team, equipping staff, through appraisal and support, with the confidence and
skills to fulfil their tasks to achieve stretching levels of performance. To provide development opportunities to
maintain their growth and, through the revision and review of performance
measurement and management processes.
8.
To
manage allocated budgets, contracts and projects, as required and agreed with
line-manager
9.
Be an
effective team leader, member of the Strategy and Corporate Affairs directorate
leadership team and wider Corporate Management Group.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A strong track record of managing and developing teams, including experience of leading, empowering and motivating teams to promote a high-performance culture
- Experience of managing budgets, operational risk and performance reporting
- Experience of using social media to further reach and audience
- Strategic thinker, with significant experience of working at a senior level, skilled in devising and implementing successful communication strategies and plans, and the use of the various channels for effectiveness
Desirable
- Experience of patient engagement
- Experience of managing a media relations function in a high profile area
- Experience of engagement with clinical or scientific audiences
- Experience in government communications
Qualifications
Essential
- First-hand knowledge of a range of communication functions including media, digital communications and stakeholder relations.
- A strong track record in stakeholder relations and/or patient engagement
-
- Knowledge of translating complex information and/or data into communications plans and products for a lay audience.
Managing work
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively, making reasoned judgements and decisions
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues with different areas of expertise
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills and an ability to present clearly to internal and external audiences including clinic staff, patients and the media.
Desirable
- Demonstrable ability to communicate and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including at a senior level
Knowledge & skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of healthcare in the public, charity or private sector
- Knowledge of regulatory activities
- Understanding of government and Parliament.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- A strong track record of managing and developing teams, including experience of leading, empowering and motivating teams to promote a high-performance culture
- Experience of managing budgets, operational risk and performance reporting
- Experience of using social media to further reach and audience
- Strategic thinker, with significant experience of working at a senior level, skilled in devising and implementing successful communication strategies and plans, and the use of the various channels for effectiveness
Desirable
- Experience of patient engagement
- Experience of managing a media relations function in a high profile area
- Experience of engagement with clinical or scientific audiences
- Experience in government communications
Qualifications
Essential
- First-hand knowledge of a range of communication functions including media, digital communications and stakeholder relations.
- A strong track record in stakeholder relations and/or patient engagement
-
- Knowledge of translating complex information and/or data into communications plans and products for a lay audience.
Managing work
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively, making reasoned judgements and decisions
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues with different areas of expertise
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills and an ability to present clearly to internal and external audiences including clinic staff, patients and the media.
Desirable
- Demonstrable ability to communicate and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including at a senior level
Knowledge & skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of healthcare in the public, charity or private sector
- Knowledge of regulatory activities
- Understanding of government and Parliament.
