Wellcome Trust
Policy Lead, Climate & Health
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Salary: £70,000 - £87,500
Closing date: Sunday, 30 September, 2026
Contract type: Permanent
Interview dates: 1st stage (w/c 12 October) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to face
The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships. We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.
These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.
We are looking for a Policy Lead (Climate and Health) to join our Global Health Policy team
Where in Wellcome will I be working?
You will join the Global Health Policy team which sits within the Policy and Partnerships department. You’ll report to the Head of Climate and Health Policy.
This is an exciting time to join the Global Health Policy team. Wellcome’s Climate and Health work seeks to ensure that health is central to global and national climate action and, as one of the world’s largest philanthropies to advance science for health, we want to ensure that the best available evidence is used to shape effective and equitable responses to climate change.
Working closely with and across Wellcome departments including Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships, Climate and Health Solutions Programme, and Corporate Affairs, and with partners around the world, the team brings together policy expertise, scientific evidence and strategic influencing to help position health as a central pillar of climate action.
What will I be doing?
Working closely with the Head of Climate and Health Policy, you will lead, develop and deliver ambitious policy and influencing programmes that advance Wellcome’s goals on climate and health. You will bring strong subject-matter expertise, strategic judgement and policy experience to identify where Wellcome can have greatest influence, translate evidence into compelling policy solutions, and build the relationships and partnerships needed to drive change.
You will work across national, European and international policy environments, engaging with governments, multilateral organisations, civil society, academia and other partners. The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery and team leadership, with occasional travel required.
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As a Policy Lead, you will:
- Develop and deliver policy and influencing programmes that advance Wellcome’s climate and health objectives, focusing effort where it can achieve the greatest impact and influence.
- Translate evidence into practical policy solutions, using subject-matter expertise to shape policy positions, identify opportunities and respond to emerging political and policy developments.
- Lead complex programmes of work, setting priorities, coordinating resources and ensuring high-quality delivery across multiple projects, teams and external partners.
- Build influential relationships with senior stakeholders across government, academia, civil society, philanthropy and international organisations to advance shared climate and health goals.
- Provide strategic policy advice and insight, helping shape Wellcome’s approach to climate and health while ensuring alignment with wider organisational priorities.
- Lead, develop and collaborate with colleagues across Wellcome, fostering an inclusive team environment, and ensuring work is delivered effectively within agreed governance and budgets.
Is this job for me?
You bring strong policy expertise and experience in climate and health, with a track record of developing and delivering strategies that influence decisions and drive change. You understand the intersection of science, health, climate and politics, and can translate evidence into compelling policy arguments and practical solutions.
You combine ambition, pragmatism and strategic judgement, identifying where Wellcome can have greatest influence and adapting to changing external and organisational priorities. You are an effective project and people leader who can bring clarity to complex programmes, build strong relationships and bring others with you.
Above all, you will be motivated by the opportunity to reduce the health impacts of climate change and help put health at the heart of climate action.
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.
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Minimum Criteria:
- Demonstrable experience in Climate & Health policy and advocacy, with evidence of influencing policy, funding, or strategic decisions.
- Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder programmes or initiatives to successful outcomes.
- Experience managing and developing teams and/or leading delivery through matrix structures.
- Evidence of setting strategic priorities and allocating resources in complex environments.
- Experience influencing senior decision-makers and building partnerships across relevant sectors.
Applications Questions:
- Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined in the job description? (Up to 500 words)
- Using short summaries please provide specific details of up to two different initiatives or projects you have been directly involved in that are relevant to this role. For each initiative or project please use up to 250 words to describe your role (e.g. team leader, team member), the purpose of the activity (i.e. its aims), and the major contributions you personally made.
You can view the full job description on our website
You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website
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.
At Wellcome we have a hybrid way of working which is 3 days in our Euston Road offices (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) 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.
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