Head of Strategic Partnerships

• locations
• London

• posted on
• Posted Today

• job requisition id
• R-003041

Salary: £101,700

Closing date:  Sunday, 18 January 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: 29 ,30 January and 2 February (1st stage: Remote/Online; 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 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.

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.

You will be joining the Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships (GRSP) team, which leads Wellcome’s diplomatic efforts, advocates for change globally, and builds the knowledge and partnerships needed to achieve our organisational goals. As Head of Strategic Partnerships, you will provide strategic leadership for Wellcome’s partnerships portfolio, setting ambitious goals and driving impactful, co-created collaborations across philanthropic, multilateral, and private sector partners.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?  

This is an exciting time to join Strategic Partnerships as we expand our collaborations across sectors to address some of the world’s most pressing science and health challenges. You will have the opportunity to develop and test your partnership-building acumen, working closely with teams across Wellcome—especially Solutions Programmes, Policy & Partnerships, Equity, and Corporate Affairs. You’ll build and manage impactful collaborations and coalitions with key partner organisations, including multilateral agencies and philanthropic organisations. You will bring external insights and work with senior leaders to deepen relationships with key partners, ensuring that the research we fund leads to meaningful impact for communities most affected by health challenges.

As a senior spokesperson and adviser, you will nurture new strategic partners, design and negotiate new collaborations (bilaterally or in coalitions), and implement large-scale partnerships in close consultation with cross-Wellcome teams. You will also lead and motivate a high-performing team of partnership professionals, ensuring their skills and capabilities are maximised. Your role will involve developing and overseeing team strategy, budget, and partnership management processes, as well as providing guidance to leaders across Wellcome, particularly in the Solutions, Discovery, Policy & Partnerships, and CEO’s Office teams.

What will I be doing?  

You will be expected to stay abreast of trends in global health, philanthropy, and the private sector, identifying opportunities for Wellcome to innovate and act as a sector leader. You will contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, encouraging collaboration and effective communication, and deputise for the Associate Director when required.

As Head of Strategic Partnerships, you will be:

• Leading the strategic development and delivery of Wellcome’s partnership goals, working collaboratively across all departments to maximise our impact on global science and health challenges.

• Building, managing, and inspiring a high-performing team of partnership professionals, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone’s skills and contributions are valued and developed.

• Developing and overseeing team strategy, budgets, and partnership management processes, ensuring strong foundations for effective and innovative collaborations.

• Acting as a senior spokesperson and adviser, nurturing new and existing strategic partnerships with multilateral agencies, philanthropic organisations, and other partners, and negotiating impactful collaborations.

• Providing expert guidance to leaders across Wellcome, proactively engaging with colleagues to align partnership activities with our organisational strategy and vision.

• Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all partnership activities, and contributing to a positive, collaborative culture across Wellcome.

Is this job for me?   

If you have a proven track record of leading strategic partnerships internationally and significant expertise in global health, philanthropy, or the private sector, this role could be a great fit for you. We’re looking for an excellent communicator and inclusive team leader, confident working across cultures and with diverse stakeholders in complex environments. If you thrive on building impactful collaborations and driving ambitious outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.

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

Minimum Criteria:  

• Experience of leading strategic partnerships work internationally, across countries and cultures

• Significant expertise in one or more of the following sectors – philanthropic partnerships, multilateral partnerships and/or private sector partnerships.

• Significant experience of working in global health, healthcare, research, and/ or international development sectors

• Sound experience of successfully building, leading and developing a diverse and high-performing team of partnerships professionals

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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About Us

We support researchers, we take on big health challenges, we campaign for better science, and we help everyone get involved with science and health research. Wellcome isn't just a supporter of great ideas, it's a great place to work. We offer excellent benefits and help our employees to develop in an open, respectful culture where differences are valued.