Head of Policy, Professional Standards Authority

Head of Policy Salary

£86,065

We are looking to recruit a Head of Policy to join our Policy team within the Policy and Communications Directorate on a permanent, full‑time basis.

The Policy Team works across the organisation and with external stakeholders to drive improvements in professional regulation, in line with the PSA’s right‑touch regulation approach and in support of public protection. It provides policy advice, delivers events, and leads engagement activities, helping to keep the PSA’s oversight work informed by external developments and to share system‑wide insights for national improvement.

Major reforms to the legislation governing the regulators we oversee are underway, including proposals for expanded powers for the PSA. We are working closely with UK governments to support successful implementation and have been commissioned by the Scottish Government to review healthcare science roles. Our work with the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare is shaping a more joined‑up and future‑facing approach to regulation across the system.

• Shaping and communicating the PSA’s policy positions on health and social care regulation, championing an organisation‑wide approach.
• Leading the Policy Team and driving delivery of high‑quality policy work, including publications, research, briefings and events.
• Contributing to organisational leadership as part of the Senior Management Team and providing advice to the Executive Leadership Team and Board on regulatory policy.
• Acting as the principal point of contact for policy engagement, representing the PSA externally and strengthening its influence across the sector.
• Overseeing the delivery and maximising impact of policy work, ensuring an effective response to emerging issues and embedding priorities such as equality, diversity and inclusion, including work commissioned by government or other agencies.

• Extensive experience leading and coordinating policy development within a dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership skills, building and developing a high‑performing team that can respond in an agile way to emerging risks and opportunities.
• Effective influence, high‑level written, editorial and presentation skills.
• Ability to build and manage relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, using influencing skills to create opportunities for co‑production and collaboration.
• Effective prioritisation under pressure, with strong organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in both leadership and policy work.

We will require a strong commitment to protecting patients and the public, and you should share our values of integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork.

We currently operate a hybrid policy: in the first six months of employment full‑time staff working five days a week are expected to attend the office three days a week. After that, the requirement is two days a week in the office. If you require reasonable adjustments or would like to discuss flexibility, please contact us directly.

The PSA’s offices are located in Blackfriars, London.

The PSA is the UK’s oversight body for the regulation of people working in health and social care. There are ten organisations that regulate health professionals in the UK and social workers in England by law. We audit their performance, review decisions on practitioners’ fitness to practise, and set standards for organisations holding registers of health and care practitioners not regulated by law.

We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally, providing guidance to governments and stakeholders.

We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all staff can flourish. We strongly encourage applications from everyone irrespective of age, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability, ethnicity and sexual orientation. As a Disability Confident employer we will guarantee an interview for suitable candidates with disabilities.