Location
London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Hours
37 hours (net) per week for full time staff, pro rata for part-time staff

Salary
£75,585 - £84,840 per annum plus benefits

About the Role
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (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 MHRA Communications and Engagement Group is a multi-award-winning function responsible for news and media, communications, marketing, events, external affairs, and patient, public and customer engagement. The team plays a vital role in supporting the Agency's strategic objectives by placing patients and the public at the centre of everything it does.

The Events function leads the strategic planning, development and delivery of the MHRA's corporate events programme, ensuring events are a key driver of stakeholder engagement, organisational reputation and business outcomes. It delivers high-quality in-person, virtual and hybrid events that connect priority audiences with the Agency's work, support corporate objectives, strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders, and enhance trust in the MHRA.

As Head of Events, you will hold a senior leadership role with high visibility and influence across the Agency, providing strategic advice and ensuring events support delivery of the Agency’s business outcomes. You will manage internal and external events and relationships at a senior level, delivering integrated communications and engagement strategies for senior leaders, staff and external partners. Outcomes will be measured by strong stakeholder and audience engagement and agreed objectives, including trust in the agency and demonstrable value indicators.

Your responsibilities will include leading the events team to provide impactful events and webinars aligned with the Communications and Reputation Plan, advising senior leaders including the executive committee, chief executive and board, and positioning events as a core pillar of the Agency’s communications and reputation plan. You will deliver a strategic programme of annual events to raise the MHRA’s profile nationally and internationally, supporting business strategy and internal culture change.

You will identify, plan and deliver a programme of strategically developed events with innovative, accessible and hybrid formats, maximising digital reach alongside in-person delivery. Working closely with external affairs, you will design and deliver stakeholder engagement activity that builds advocacy and influence. You will oversee the efficient management of resources including the events team and budget, lead the development of an integrated annual events plan, and act as communications account director for a key Group within the Agency, ensuring strategic coordination of communications and engagement.

Experience
- Extensive senior experience of designing, managing and delivering professional quality events for high-profile organisations, including drafting action plans, securing resources and setting performance standards.
- Proven senior leadership and management skills, with experience leading multi-functional events teams in complex organisations, motivating and developing staff, and managing performance.
- Demonstrable track record of developing event communications and materials, including pre- and post-event collateral using a range of communications tools and techniques.
- Strong event management skills with a proven understanding of delivering events that meet business and audience needs.
- Experience leading projects involving cross-organisational and external team members, anticipating risks, handling problems, and developing creative solutions while maintaining high customer service standards.

About you
- Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to confidently communicate, influence and challenge staff and external contacts at all levels.
- A confident self-starter who can operate independently, manage conflicting priorities, and deliver to deadlines.
- Flexible team player who encourages feedback and values the views of others.

Qualifications
- No specific qualifications are stated; however, extensive senior experience and leadership in event management are essential.