Wellcome Trust
Head of Policy – Climate and Health
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Head of Policy – Climate and Health
Head of Policy, Climate & Health – Wellcome Trust
## Salary £84,640 - £105,800 (Permanent role)
## Closing Date Sunday, 12 July 2026
## Interview Dates
- 1st Stage (Week commencing 3 August) – Online/Remote
- 2nd Stage – Face-to-face (TBC)
## About The Wellcome Trust
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation committed to improving health for everyone. We achieve our mission through three core pillars:
- Funding science – Supporting groundbreaking research in life, health, and wellbeing.
- Leading policy and advocacy campaigns – Shaping evidence-based health strategies and influencing institutions globally.
- Building partnerships – Collaborating to tackle major health challenges.
Over the next decade (2020–2032), we will invest £16 billion into science and advocacy to confront three critical global health challenges:
- Mental health
- Infectious disease
- Climate and health
Our Climate & Health programme recognises that climate change is the greatest global health threat of our time. Our mission is to:
- Generate climate-health evidence to drive change.
- Forge partnerships that integrate health concerns into climate solutions.
- Ensure health is prioritised in climate policymaking to secure a healthier and more sustainable future.
The Policy team within this programme translates our evidence into actionable policy changes, influencing government, international bodies, and industry to advance these goals.
## The Role: Head of Policy, Climate & Health
You will join the Global Health Policy team within the wider Policy and Partnerships department. This office liaises with the Heads of Policy for Infectious Disease, Mental Health and Global Health Ecosystem.
Where will you work?
Location: Primarily Euston Road, London (with a hybrid working model – see below). Reporting: Head of Department, Policy (Global Health) Matrix reporting: Team leads across Climate & Health programme, and global colleagues
Your responsibility:
As the Head of Policy, Climate & Health, you will lead Wellcome’s climate-policymaking endeavours. This includes strategy, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and advocacy to integrate health equity into climate policies worldwide.
You will maintain our outward visibility and thought leadership while driving high-impact initiatives in this fast-evolving field. Your mandate is to oversee a multi-disciplinary team of policy, politics, and partnerships professionals, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration to surpass our ambitious health and climate goals.
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## Responsibilities*
Strategic Leadership and Influence:
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Work as a senior thought leader and influential advisor on climate and health policy, providing impartial yet forward-looking guidance for Wellcome operations.
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Oversee the development and execution of Wellcome’s long-term policy goals, ensuring cohesive alignment between broader scientific advancements and political landscape realities.
Team Leadership and Culture:
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Lead and inspire a high-performing matrix team, leveraging diverse skills spanning policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and partnerships.
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Create an inclusive and creative environment, fostering professional growth and maximising individual strengths.
Governance and Efficiency:
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Deliver high-quality policy outputs and operational excellence, balancing long-term vision with short-term agility within the fast-moving climate policy space.
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Collaborate with stakeholder wellbeing, equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives across Wellcome.
## Key Requirements
This role is ideal if you possess:
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Proven expertise as a climate policymaker, positioned to ** shape and influence** high-level health decisions.
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Exceptional track record of building and managing ambitious projects under demanding timelines.
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Exceptional communicative and collaborative abilities: delivering compelling advocacy both internally and externally, with the reputation as a trusted voice.
Minimum Criteria:
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Specialist and long-standing skills in Climate and Health policy, with deep grasp of Wellcome’s role as an intermediary.
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Extensive senior-level experience influencing policy, producing high-calibre policy analysis, proposed strategies, and deliverables.
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Established networks with diplomats, scientists, academics, and NGOs in both climate and health sectors.
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Ability to balance audacious goals with pragmatic execution, taking advantage of emerging opportunities.
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Experience in leading/organising matrix teams with diverse backgrounds, encouraging continuous growth and trust among colleagues.
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## Expected Contributions
## How To Apply
To complete your application, submit:
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Two responses of up to 500 words each to the following questions:
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Using examples, provide evidence of your suitability for this role, aligning with the expectations outlined in this job description.
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Share detailed summaries of your participation in two distinct initiatives or projects relevant to climate and health policy. Include:
A) Your role in the project. B) The project’s purpose and overarching aims. C) Your significant contributions, especially how they influenced outcomes.
## Benefits
- At Wellcome, we understand that fulfilling our mission requires the best talent if we are to make a genuine difference. Our hybrid commencing model offers a balanced approach, ensuring flexibility aligned with your capabilities to perform at your best with the resources you need.
Hybrid Working Approach:
Wellcome operates a workplace flexibility structure, integrating in-office and remote collaboration.
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Office Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (with option for home or alternate office days on Mondays and Fridays)
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Core Objective: Optimal balance for teamwork and individual productivity.
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Integrated Support: Commitment to creating an environment where employees are empowered to excel, tailoring circumstances for success.
## Our Commitments
Our organisation excels through diversity and inclusion, leading global impact with meaningful, inclusive collaboration.
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Promote an inclusive workplace that values equity and difference, ensuring everyone has access to opportunities.
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Regularly conduct assessments to evaluate effectiveness and foster progress in accessibility and DE&I achievements.
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Extensive range of adjustments and resources designed to accommodate diverse needs.
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Ongoing engagement to explore and implement flexible working options for all employees.
For more information regarding adjustments and DE&I measures, visit our [website](about our workplace adjustments) or directly email us at: jobs@wellcome.org.
Please review [our full job description](link provided), explore our benefits page, and consider the structure and supports within our offering.
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