Head of Information (London)

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UK's independent regulator of clinics providing fertility treatment and research involving human embryos. A key responsibility of the HFEA is managing the Register, a database of information about every fertility treatment carried out in the UK, populated with patient data received from clinics. The HFEA has been responsible for this since 1991, making it the longest-running register of its kind in the world.

We are seeking to recruit a Head of Information. This is a senior role, accountable for our Register, the Register support team, the Opening the Register team, and the IG/Records Management team.

Interviews are expected to take place on Tuesday, 2nd September, in person at Redman Place.

You should be a credible leader capable of managing a broad portfolio of responsibilities, with proven experience in overseeing organisational governance, including corporate decision-making and performance management. You should be an excellent team leader, able to build strong working relationships with senior leaders. You should also have the skills to ensure the Register database is maintained, data formats are prepared for secondary use, and data integrity is upheld by working with technical experts to verify and ensure the accuracy of data received through systems like PRISM.

The HFEA is the UK's independent regulator overseeing safe and appropriate practices in infertility treatment and embryo research. We license and monitor clinics performing IVF, donor insemination, and human embryo research.

This post can be office-based (requiring attendance at least once a week) or home-based, with office attendance specified by your line manager. Our office is located in Stratford, east London, near the Olympic Park. We offer flexible and hybrid working, generous leave, and pension arrangements.

The HFEA is committed to diversity and inclusion, being a member of the Community Race and Work Charter and the Disability Confident Charter. We strive for our workforce to be representative of all society sections and to attract talented individuals interested in working with us. In November 2024, the HFEA received the People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award.

The Head of Information oversees the HFEA's information services, including the Register of treatments, the Opening the Register service, and Information Governance/Records Management, acting as the organisation's Caldicott Guardian to ensure personal data is handled ethically, legally, and confidentially.

The role involves ensuring the quality and security of the Register data, working with clinics and technical experts, managing data quality and issues, establishing review boards, advising on register information, supporting legal access to data, and managing associated teams and services. The post also involves collaborating with IT to support technology transformation and data management improvements.

• Experience leading complex and demanding services
• Experience developing and implementing business solutions
• Experience managing a team
• Experience managing risk
• Experience leading technical experts, including IT and database management

• Principles of information governance and records management
• Current best practices in data management and reporting systems
• Knowledge of applications like big data solutions and tools

• Degree-level education or equivalent
• Project management experience and/or qualification
• Data analytics experience and/or qualification

• Managing sensitive and confidential datasets, ensuring data quality
• Using data with knowledge of regulatory practices
• Leading information governance
• Strategic data management and stakeholder engagement
• Understanding health datasets
• Technical understanding of data systems and transfer processes