Job vacancies
Browse the latest job vacancies at the HFEA.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the independent regulator of fertility treatment and embryo research. We license and inspect clinics and laboratories to ensure safe, effective services for everyone affected by fertility treatment. We hold the largest database of fertility treatments in the world.
On this page you can browse and apply for vacancies. To get alerts of new jobs as they become available, follow us on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.
In both 2024 and 2025, the HFEA was awarded People Insight’s Outstanding Workplace Award. This award is for organisations that achieve a top-quartile employee engagement score, of 85% percent or higher, in their employee survey.
Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Ministers are seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
The Chair of the HFEA is accountable to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and will:
- provide leadership, challenge and direction to the organisation, encouraging and enabling the HFEA to be a first-class regulator of fertility services and embryo research
- ensure that the HFEA carries out its statutory functions under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, and meets the Government’s policies and priorities for the sector, complying with directions and guidance issued by the Secretary of State
- in partnership with the Chief Executive, set the tone for excellent working relationships between the HFEA and key stakeholders to ensure the confidence in the work of the HFEA of those who use services, the wider public, the regulated sector, Government and Parliament
- work with the Authority to ensure resources are managed effectively with a focus on the development of HFEA staff, reflecting the organisation’s role and values as a first-class regulator
- build, develop and improve the Authority, providing guidance and support to all Authority members, ensuring their effective induction, support and development and advising the Department of Health and Social Care on their performance.
The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity. We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve.
Legislation requires that the Chair cannot be a registered Medical Practitioner or any person with current or past involvement with treatment or research using human sperm, eggs or embryos.
Closing date: Midday on Friday, 11th September 2026
Apply for the Authority Chair role on the public appointment website.
Licensing Committees Manager
We are looking for a Licensing Committees Manager to join in December 2026 to cover maternity leave for 9-12 months. The successful post holder will work with the Head of Licensing and Committee Officers to support the delivery of our full range of licensing committees and related work. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is quality focused and a natural problem solver who wants to make a real and tangible difference to our work and the lives of patients.
The HFEA licences all fertility clinics and embryo research projects in the UK, through three different licensing mechanisms the Licence Committee, the Executive Licensing Panel and a Licensing Officer. There are also appeals mechanisms for the decisions made by our licensing committees. In addition, the HFEA’s Statutory Approvals Committee considers applications for treatment using mitochondrial donation, for genetic conditions for which PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing) can be carried out, and special directions for the import and export of gametes and embryos.
The post holder will work closely with the Head of Licensing to lead the operational delivery of the HFEA’s statutory licensing arrangements and the associated committees. They will work with and manage a team of three committee officers to ensure a high-quality service, ensuring that meetings are well run and supported, and that decisions are robust and consistent.
The right candidate will have solid prior experience of managing formal committees and panels, ideally in a licensing, governance or other quasi-legal setting, and may have worked in another regulator or similar public body. You will also have strong experience of line managing staff and supporting them through change, and have the ability to quickly establish effective working relationships and gain the trust of others.
As well as an awareness of legal risks and the nature of quasi-legal decision making, you will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to engage sensitively with senior staff, board members and colleagues to proactively problem solve and deliver a high-quality service. You should also have the skills and resilience required to keep calm in stressful situations and work under pressure, and to make reasoned judgements in high risk situations.
Given the varied nature of this role, a proactive attitude, good time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively is key.
Interviews will take place on 15 October @ Redman Place.
Closing date: Sunday, 13th September 2026
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