Head of Licensing

We are looking for a Head of Licensing to lead our statutory, quasi-judicial licensing service, which licenses fertility clinics and research. This is a varied and rewarding role in a small, specialist and high profile regulatory body.

The post holder will:

·         Lead the HFEA’s licensing and appeals service, taking overall responsibility for our statutory licensing arrangements and the associated committees.

·         Ensure that meetings are well run and supported, and that decisions are robust and consistent.

·         Work with and manage a Licensing Manager and a team of three committee secretaries to ensure a high quality service.

·         Take a lead role in corporate projects with a focus on or interdependency with the licensing function.

·         Have oversight of the servicing of occasional representations hearings and appeals, working with the Licensing Manager to ensure arrangements are in place, including appropriate fire-walling.

·         Manage terms of office and recruitment and induction for the external panellists who sit on our appeals bodies.

·         Manage the team’s work, direction, staff and budget.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is quality focused and enjoys being on the cutting edge of statutory decision-making, performing a role that requires good internal relationships and excellent judgement in situations involving legal risks and contentious issues.

The right candidate will have solid prior experience working in a licensing environment at a managerial level and may have worked in another regulator or similar public body.

As well as a good working knowledge of licensing and managing formal committees, you will bring an understanding of public sector transparency requirements and an awareness of legal risks. You will also have experience of leading and managing a team, developing staff and liaising and working effectively with lawyers and senior people.

Bringing a continuous improvement mindset and an eye for detail, you will be a skilled communicator. You will have previous experience of writing and presenting high quality papers to senior audiences,

You will bring professionalism and credibility to the role and will be comfortable dealing with challenge and change.

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.

For more information about the work we do, please visit our website at www.hfea.gov.uk.

If you would like more information or an informal discussion about this role, please contact Paula Robinson at paula.robinson@hfea.gov.uk or on 020 7291 8220.

The HFEA offer 27.5 days annual leave (rising by one-day for each year of service, up to 32.5 days) entry into the Civil Service Pension Scheme and access to Perkbox benefits portal.

The post of offered as Full time/part time/flexible working – 36 hours per week – Permanent.

Hybrid working – Home based (you may be asked to attend the HFEA office up to three-times per month) or Office based – 2 Redman Place, London, E20 (you will be required to attend the office at least one day per week)

Interview are expected to take place on 9 September 2024.