Yellow Card Biobank Development Manager

We are currently looking for a Yellow Card Biobank Development Manager to join our Patient Safety Monitoring Function within the Safety & Surveillance group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis.  The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

To deliver effectively on our central mission of protecting public health, we need robust vigilance processes that are able to quickly detect, monitor and evaluate signals across the product lifecycle, the ability to evaluate the benefit/risk of signals of concern and design effective risk mitigations and a healthcare system able to implement them.  The Safety and Surveillance Group brings together into a single integrated structure expertise on the safety of all medical products with enforcement capabilities. These functions are supported by the Agency’s data and evidence generating capabilities complementing our signal generating abilities delivered via the common vigilance platform SafetyConnect.

The Patient Safety Monitoring Function is responsible for developing and delivering a world class vigilance system to detect and monitor safety signals for medicines, medical devices, vaccines and blood products.

What’s the role?

The MHRA is developing a Yellow Card Biobank to investigate the role of genetics in the development of adverse drug reactions. Its  aim is to enable the identification of patients most at risk of harm from side effects due to genetic factors and help reduce the burden on patient lives and on the NHS. Following a successful three year pilot; the post holder will manage the scoping activities for further Yellow Card Biobank development and will be accountable for establishment of the operating model for  a long-term Yellow Card Biobank.

Key responsibilities:

• Strategic lead of the development of a long-term Yellow Card Biobank model;

with responsibility for delivery of the business model for long term operation.

• Direct the diverse activities required for operation and governance of the

Yellow Card Biobank model with a focus in particular on scientific considerations for genetic sequencing approaches, data storage and linkage.

• Engage with senior stakeholders from external organisations including UK

healthcare organisations, industry and academia to identify and develop national and international collaborative opportunities for a Yellow Card Biobank.

• Develop the long-term financial model for scaling up of a Yellow Card

Biobank. Seek and deliver innovative external funding streams to ensure sustainability of a long-term Yellow Card Biobank.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will:

• The post holder will need significant experience of managing research

projects including all associated governance aspects.

• Highly developed interpersonal and influencing skills with the credibility

and ability to build excellent relationships and networks with key stakeholders.

• A flexible and adaptable leader with the ability to pick up new and complex

pieces of work and use innovative solutions and problem solving to unblock barriers to make progress.

• A visible leader with a passion and enthusiasm for their work to help inspire

colleagues and stakeholders in a clear vision of the future.

• They will need a post graduate degree or equivalent qualification in a

relevant scientific/healthcare discipline and knowledge of regulations and guidance in biomedical research in the UK.

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Leadership  - A/I/P

• Communicating and Influencing - A/I/P

• Changing and Improving - A/I

Experience Criteria:

• Leadership experience in managing teams of professionally qualified staff,

mentoring and managing individual’s performance against agreed objectives and project deliverables.  – A/I

• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to work

effectively within a complex multidisciplinary environment and the gravitas to earn the respect of stakeholders. – A/I

• Demonstrable experience of managing research project governance, risks,

assurance, tracking project and portfolio finances, maintaining documentation and implementing continuous improvement in project management processes – A/I

Technical Criteria:

• Post graduate degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline

e.g. pharmacy or science, or a relevant healthcare professional qualification

• A

• Knowledge of regulations and guidance in the area of biomedical research in

the UK – A/I

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! [https://mhra-gov.filecamp.com/s/d/45i2U3MPRXAxOQf4]

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk [careers@mhra.gov.uk]

The selection process:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles].

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour,

Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.

• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further

information being supplied when you reach this stage.

• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience,

Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of;

• Experience in Leadership experience in managing teams of professionally

qualified staff, mentoring and managing individual’s performance against agreed objectives and project deliverables.

• Knowledge of regulations and guidance in the area of biomedical research in

the UK

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/&data=05|02|Ufuoma.Eriemo2@mhra.gov.uk|3d175bf263f54c3cf85608de3bfa288f|e527ea5c62584cd2a27f8bd237ec4c26|0|0|639014142773052769|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ==|0|||&sdata=2VE8qZPdzo8azEL775DBoKUPz5zMHopZPjc9cs3KuOk=&reserved=0]for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk [careers@mhra.gov.uk] as soon as possible.

Closing date: 6th July 2026

Shortlisting date: from 7th July 2026

Interview date:  from 14th July 2026

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk [careers@mhra.gov.uk]

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules].

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard?_ga=2.149328757.2118900794.1613132232-433185063.1580991281].

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens

• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings

• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is

required

• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here [https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/].

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.

The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk [careers@mhra.gov.uk].

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk [https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/]

info@csc.gov.uk [info@csc.gov.uk]

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ

About Us

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate, Digital & Technology, Enablement, Healthcare Quality & Access, Partnerships, Safety & Surveillance and Scientific Research & Innovation.