Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Policy Manager (Maternity Cover)
The closing date is 29 November 2026
Job summary
We are looking for a Policy Manager to lead on and support a wide range of policy-related work while the permanent post-holder is on maternity leave.

The Policy Manager will play an active part in the HFEA's Policy Team, based in the Scientific Policy side of the team, by leading on policy-related work and providing scientific policy advice both internally and externally as required. This role is focused primarily on Scientific Policy work but will also undertake non-scientific Manager-level Policy work. This post reports to the Scientific Policy Manager and line manages the Scientific Policy Officer.
Main duties of the job
A key part of this role is leading on HFEA's scientific and clinical horizon-scanning function and supporting the management of the HFEA's Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee including planning meeting agendas and logistics, undertaking literature reviews, and drafting and presenting committee papers, so that relevant scientific developments can be anticipated.

This role also monitors and analyses the use of AI in the fertility sector in order to continue to develop the HFEA's position on AI in fertility treatment and works on processing applications for authorisation of new processes for clinical use.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is proactive, can work effectively as part of a team, and who has good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive patient enquiries. You should be able to demonstrate experience of project management, working with committees or multi-disciplinary groups. Good time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively are key given the varied nature of this role. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent in a biological or clinical subject or have equivalent experience.

Interview date: w/c Monday 14 December 2026
Please note that interviews will be either face to face or over Microsoft Teams video call
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 2025 the HFEA was awarded People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award 2025.
We receive the right to close this role early, should we have sufficient applications. You are advised to apply for this role when you see it, rather than waiting until the closing date.
Job responsibilities

• Manage the HFEA's scientific and clinical horizon scanning function and reporting internally to the Authority on this area. This includes programming an annual (summer) international horizon-scanning meeting.
• Provide support to the management of HFEA's Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) meetings and other working groups as required. This includes planning meeting agendas and logistics, drafting and presenting committee papers, liaising with the Chair and committee members and minuting, and coordinating its work.
• Initiate and project manage policy projects and reviews, taking them from scoping and planning, to making policy recommendations to the Authority.
• Provide policy support and briefing on scientific and clinical matters to the Chair, Authority members and senior management.
• Represent the Authority at conferences, seminars and external working groups, presenting as required.
• Build and maintain good relationships with stakeholders and to provide guidance and information on scientific and clinical matters externally, for example to organisations such as other ALBs or professional societies, on matters of scientific and clinical policy, seeking legal advice as necessary.
• Support HFEA's communications function including drafting briefings, articles, and speech writing, as required.
• Reply to often complex enquiries from patients, professionals and the public and draft answers to Parliamentary Questions or Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs) concerning Authority policy and scientific issues.
• Line manage and support the Scientific Policy Officer.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: Education to degree level or equivalent in a biological or clinical subject, or equivalent experience
Desirable: Project management qualification
Knowledge & skills
Desirable: Some understanding of data-driven technologies including AI; Knowledge or experience of legal, ethical and scientific issues surrounding fertility treatment and research
Managing work
Essential: Strong time management skills and an ability to be flexible and proactive, and use initiative to prioritise workload; Excellent organisational skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully; An ability to remain calm under pressure and to be resilient
Experience
Essential: Experience or involvement in policy or patient care and safety work; Experience of managing projects; Experience of undertaking scientific literature searches or reviews of research publications; Experience of working with committees or multi-disciplinary groups; Good written and oral communication skills.
Desirable: Experience of producing evidence-based guidance; Experience of working closely with senior staff and boards; Experience of building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders; Experience of line management
Employer details
Employer name: Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority
Address: 2nd Floor, 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.hfea.gov.uk/
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Scientific Policy Manager, Rebecca Taylor, rebecca.taylor@hfea.gov.uk
Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: £41,250 a year
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Flexible working
Reference number: G0002-26-0012
Job locations: 2nd Floor, 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ, United Kingdom
Supporting documents: Privacy notice (Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority's privacy notice)