Head of Policy, Global Health Ecosystem in London

Salary: £84,640 - £105,800 per annum

Closing date: 23 June 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: 1st stage (w/c 6 July) online/remote

Wellcome is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns and building partnerships. We plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health and wellbeing and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

You will join the Global Health Policy team which sits in the wider Policy and Partnerships department. This new role will join Heads of Policy in Climate & Health, Infectious Disease and Mental Health. As one of the world’s largest philanthropies to advance science for health, we want to ensure that the research we fund can benefit as many people as possible. An effective and equitable global health ecosystem is critical to this. To that end, over the past decade we have supported new models of global cooperation, contributed to major reforms in pandemic preparedness and financing, supported the development of the Lusaka Agenda, and consistently convened diverse voices to build common ground and drive change on urgent health challenges.

You will lead the development and delivery of Wellcome’s long-term strategy to support and drive progress towards a more effective and equitable global health ecosystem, including the meaningful implementation of the Lusaka Agenda. In the delivery of this work, you’ll effectively lead and motivate a team that brings together colleagues from Policy, Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships, and Corporate Affairs.

The recent significant changes to the global health ecosystem mean that there is currently a critical window of opportunity for reform. This position will, in the first instance, ensure that Wellcome plays an important role through supporting the generation of new ideas, as well as action to drive progress towards, a reformed global health system. This will involve engaging in and supporting reform processes and exploring how Wellcome as an actor in the global health system can drive change through how we operate.

As Head of Policy Global Health Ecosystem, you will:

• Lead the ongoing development and delivery of Wellcome’s long-term strategy for its programme of work on global health ecosystem – clear-sighted on how Wellcome can be most impactful on this issue
• Lead and motivate a high-performing team, ensuring their skills and capabilities are maximised and work is always produced to a high standard, on time, and on budget
• Lead across Wellcome to support and enable internal efforts to ensure Wellcome is aligning with the Lusaka Agenda, acting as an exemplar organisation and sharing learning and best practice with others
• Lead regular meetings and workshops internally to share expertise and updates, building our organisational capacity and understanding on this issue and creating opportunities for collaboration
• Act as a thought-leader, senior spokesperson, and adviser for Wellcome on this issue, sharing your expertise generously and using your well-established external network to ensure we are connected to key developments and discussions in this area.
• Play an important role as a member of the Global Health Policy management team, ensuring we are creating an environment in which team members can do their best work

Your deep expertise and experience in the global health ecosystem is long-standing and you’re well connected and respected in the sector. You combine ambition, pragmatism, and opportunism in your approach – recognising all three will be needed to make progress.

You recognise the importance of exemplary leadership and investing in your team in a way that brings strategic clarity and opportunities for growth and development. You collaborate easily and your superb communication skills ensure you’re always bringing people with you, both internally and externally. Above all, you’ll be motivated by the opportunity for impact in this role and be clear-sighted how Wellcome can make the most impactful contribution.

To apply for this role please submit an updated CV and answer 2 application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria:

• Deep experience and expertise in the global health ecosystem, spanning the overlapping governance, financial, policy, political, and technical dimensions of this issue, and including the recent developments on reform
• Deep and well-established networks related to global health ecosystem as well as an ability to quickly build trusted relationships with different stakeholders both internally and externally
• Significant experience developing and delivering ambitious strategies, able to balance the need for a long-term approach with the ability to be opportunistic and responsive
• Significant experience managing matrix teams, with a track record of working in a fast-paced environment while building and sustaining collaborative relationships

Our Hybrid Way of Working: We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best. We are currently working 3 days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from our Euston Road offices (as part of our hybrid Ways of Working) with the remaining 2 days working either remotely or in the office.

Diversity and Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at Wellcome. We are committed to cultivating a fair and inclusive environment, where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We are happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles. We work to ensure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible to everyone. This includes making adjustments for people who have a disability or long-term condition.

Please visit our website for more information on adjustments and accessibility, or contact us at jobs@wellcome.org