UK Health Security Agency

EPRR Senior Business Continuity Manager

The closing date is 29 August 2025

Job summary

The Directorate of Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Response Operations collaborates across UKHSA and with external partners to strengthen a culture of organisational preparedness and resilience. Our goal is to ensure UKHSA can rapidly surge its response to any health-related incident. We achieve this by:

  • Embedding a cross-functional approach to readiness across UKHSA.
  • Ensuring systems and processes are designed to scale and surge in response to incidents.
  • Applying a user-centred design (UCD) approach to readiness and response arrangements.
  • Maintaining robust business continuity arrangements to support sustained response efforts.

The Senior Business Continuity Manager works within the Business Continuity Team (BCT), leading the delivery of business continuity planning across UKHSA.

The BCT has been established to support the implementation of a UKHSA wide Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). The team will work alongside all Groups of UKHSA to support business continuity planning through the development of meaningful area specific Business Impact Analysis and Business Continuity Plans.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for implementing, maintaining and developing the UKHSA BCMS. This work involves leading various projects as part of a complex multi stakeholder programme of work to establish effective UKHSA wide business continuity planning. Providing specialist business continuity advice and guidance, the post holder will lead engagement activity across UKHSA with senior leaders to develop continuity planning. The post holder will hold responsibility for the review and improvement of the UKHSA Business Continuity Framework, aligned to the ISO22301 standard and other best practice.

The Senior Business Continuity Manager will be a pragmatic self-starter, ready to provide a personal and direct input into business continuity planning and enhancing organisational resilience and ability to respond to disruptions. They will be able to extract (through great interpersonal relationships) key information, to understand areas at pace to support the development of business continuity planning.

The post holder will be responsible for capturing learning during the initial implementation and delivery phases of business continuity planning, which will be critical to the ongoing development of the BCMS.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

01 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£54,416 to £68,344 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-LT-62180699-EXT

Job locations

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Implement, manage and improve the UKHSA Business Continuity Management System.
  • Work with and support the BCT Senior Leadership Team and wider EPRR & Response Operations Leadership Team.
  • Work with all UKHSA Groups as required, to ensure a consistent approach to Business Continuity Planning.
  • Responsible for the delivery of regular reviews of business continuity capability, including leading continuous improvement activity as required.
  • Build support for the BCMS across UKHSA, providing expert support for operational teams and where appropriate, other relevant internal and external stakeholders.
  • Establish robust and challenging business continuity delivery schedules, clearly showing what, how, who and when and highlighting the critical path
  • Responsibility for the line management, coaching & mentoring of individual members of the Business Continuity Team, including their welfare and personal development.
  • To lead engagement and communication activity planning for areas of UKHSA to support the understanding and delivery of business continuity planning, requirements and review timelines.
  • To ensure that BCMS activities in their area of responsibility are delivered in line with relevant standards and best practice.
  • To lead the development of partnership with other areas, such as the training and exercises teams, to deliver joint business continuity development and preparedness programmes of work across UKHSA. This will involve providing facilitation between the areas where appropriate to support the delivery of exercises to exercise business continuity plans.
  • To lead the Business Continuity Community of Practice chairing meetings, growing the networks reach and engagement levels to promote business continuity across the organisation.
  • To provide specialist business continuity advice and guidance to areas across UKHSA, to support the post holders continued professional development of business continuity capability.
  • Responsible for organising and controlling own workload, and the workload of the team, ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently.
  • In line with other responsibilities, perform tasks assigned or objectives set by the line manager commensurate with the grade.
  • Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

  • Educated to graduate degree level or equivalent level of vocational expertise within the Business Continuity discipline
  • Business Continuity qualification (CBCI, ISO22301:2019, or similar) or membership (MBCI etc.) or evidence of commencing a qualification pathway upon appointment.
  • Experience in business continuity planning/impact analysis
  • Recent experience in the design, delivery, implementation, and management of business continuity capability at organisational level
  • Proven experience of leading others in a senior managerial role including performance management, carrying out appraisals and development
  • Experience of working with, engaging and influencing a wide range of senior stakeholders to drive organisational change
  • Experience of developing, planning and leading communication and engagement across all levels of an organisation (both verbally and in writing)
  • Experience of performing in delivery roles, including solution design, project management, change management, performance reporting, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrable experience in leading and driving change within a fast-paced operational environment working within a complex organisation
  • Ability to gain confidence and credibility of a range of professionals, motivating and inspiring commitment and collaboration
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues/stakeholders at all levels
  • Highly developed, negotiating and influencing skills, overcoming barriers to understanding and acceptance, and reaching agreements
  • Experience of writing or coordinating Business Continuity Plans and/or Impact Assessments within Government Organisation
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

  • Recent experience of emergency preparedness, resilience, and response (EPRR) in general, or a good working knowledge of multi-agency preparedness and response activities

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Abilities, Skills and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

The pile 'meets all essential' will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:

  • Recent experience in the design, delivery, implementation, and management of business continuity capability at organisational level

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profiles

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.

There will be a 5-10 minute presentation. Details will be confirmed to those candidates successful at gaining an interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Working at Pace

Interviews are planned for 12th and 15th September. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

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

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility CriteriaExternal:Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer greatflexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model wherebusiness needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC).

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Implement, manage and improve the UKHSA Business Continuity Management System.
  • Work with and support the BCT Senior Leadership Team and wider EPRR & Response Operations Leadership Team.
  • Work with all UKHSA Groups as required, to ensure a consistent approach to Business Continuity Planning.
  • Responsible for the delivery of regular reviews of business continuity capability, including leading continuous improvement activity as required.
  • Build support for the BCMS across UKHSA, providing expert support for operational teams and where appropriate, other relevant internal and external stakeholders.
  • Establish robust and challenging business continuity delivery schedules, clearly showing what, how, who and when and highlighting the critical path
  • Responsibility for the line management, coaching & mentoring of individual members of the Business Continuity Team, including their welfare and personal development.
  • To lead engagement and communication activity planning for areas of UKHSA to support the understanding and delivery of business continuity planning, requirements and review timelines.
  • To ensure that BCMS activities in their area of responsibility are delivered in line with relevant standards and best practice.
  • To lead the development of partnership with other areas, such as the training and exercises teams, to deliver joint business continuity development and preparedness programmes of work across UKHSA. This will involve providing facilitation between the areas where appropriate to support the delivery of exercises to exercise business continuity plans.
  • To lead the Business Continuity Community of Practice chairing meetings, growing the networks reach and engagement levels to promote business continuity across the organisation.
  • To provide specialist business continuity advice and guidance to areas across UKHSA, to support the post holders continued professional development of business continuity capability.
  • Responsible for organising and controlling own workload, and the workload of the team, ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently.
  • In line with other responsibilities, perform tasks assigned or objectives set by the line manager commensurate with the grade.
  • Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

  • Educated to graduate degree level or equivalent level of vocational expertise within the Business Continuity discipline
  • Business Continuity qualification (CBCI, ISO22301:2019, or similar) or membership (MBCI etc.) or evidence of commencing a qualification pathway upon appointment.
  • Experience in business continuity planning/impact analysis
  • Recent experience in the design, delivery, implementation, and management of business continuity capability at organisational level
  • Proven experience of leading others in a senior managerial role including performance management, carrying out appraisals and development
  • Experience of working with, engaging and influencing a wide range of senior stakeholders to drive organisational change
  • Experience of developing, planning and leading communication and engagement across all levels of an organisation (both verbally and in writing)
  • Experience of performing in delivery roles, including solution design, project management, change management, performance reporting, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrable experience in leading and driving change within a fast-paced operational environment working within a complex organisation
  • Ability to gain confidence and credibility of a range of professionals, motivating and inspiring commitment and collaboration
  • Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues/stakeholders at all levels
  • Highly developed, negotiating and influencing skills, overcoming barriers to understanding and acceptance, and reaching agreements
  • Experience of writing or coordinating Business Continuity Plans and/or Impact Assessments within Government Organisation
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

  • Recent experience of emergency preparedness, resilience, and response (EPRR) in general, or a good working knowledge of multi-agency preparedness and response activities

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Abilities, Skills and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

The pile 'meets all essential' will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:

  • Recent experience in the design, delivery, implementation, and management of business continuity capability at organisational level

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profiles

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.

There will be a 5-10 minute presentation. Details will be confirmed to those candidates successful at gaining an interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Working at Pace

Interviews are planned for 12th and 15th September. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

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

Selection Process

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility CriteriaExternal:Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer greatflexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model wherebusiness needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC).

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Working at Pace
Person Specification

Application form supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and Improving (lead behaviour)
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Working at Pace

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Support Officer

Lisa Tweedie

Lisa.Tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

01 August 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£54,416 to £68,344 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

18 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

919-LT-62180699-EXT

Job locations

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)