Policy Lead, Climate & Health

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 aPolicy 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.

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.

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.

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…