Head of Information

Job summary

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

We are seeking to recruit to the post of Head of Information. There has never been a better time to join the HFEA. We are near completion of the roll-out of our new Register and data submission system and publication of Choose a Fertility Clinic data (Choose a fertility clinic | HFEA). We are also actively developing our Opening the Register team to meet an increase in demand. The Head of Information is a senior role and is accountable for our Register, our Register support team, our Opening the Register team and IG/Records Management team.

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

Main duties of the job

You should be a credible leader and be able to effectively manage 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 and be able to build strong and supportive working relationships with senior leaders. You should also have the skills required to ensure that the Register database is maintained, and data formats prepared enabling secondary use by a range of internal and external users. This includes working with technical experts to ensure the integrity of the database and information received through the data submission system, PRISM, and ensuring the data is verified and accurate.

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 2024, the HFEA was awarded People Insight's Outstanding Workplace Award 2024.

Details

Date posted

30 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£61,500 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-25-0009

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Head of Information has responsibility for the HFEAs information services, including the Register of treatments, the Opening the Register (OTR) service and Information Governance/Records Management service, as well as acting as the organisations Caldicott Guardian, ensuring that ensure that personal information is handled legally, ethically, and appropriately, while maintaining confidentiality.

The Register is a database of information about every fertility treatment carried out in the UK, populated with patient data received from clinics, that the HFEA has been responsible for since 1991, the longest running register of its kind in the world. The Head of Information has responsibility for the quality of information held in the database, working with clinics and internal technical and analytical experts.

The postholder is a senior member of staff expected to lead these services whilst supporting the HFEAs strategic objectives. The postholder is a member of the Corporate Management Group.

The post holder will lead teams with responsibility for specific areas:

Maintaining the integrity and security of the data contained within the Register of Treatments.

Monitoring the quality of data received from clinics and overseeing the register team and the performance of the team responding to clinic enquiries. Working with clinics to solve data issues and make improvements.

Establishing and running a data review board to consider the information collected and any future changes, including to the Data Dictionary.

To act as key adviser internally and externally on HFEA Register information including supporting the legal access to register data.

Overseeing the Opening the Register and associated donor information services; enabling those entitled to access information about donor treatment and supporting complex and sensitive information and enquiries

To work with others across the HFEA in considering future outputs of our data including Choose a Fertility Clinic (CaFC)

Managing the Information Governance / Records Manager and associated service.

The post holder will advise and work alongside the Head of IT to help the HFEA deliver technology transformation and improved methods for processing and managing information.

Job description