Major Initiatives Programme Lead Mental Health

Salary: £67,520 - £79,300

Closing date:  Sunday, 22 November 2026

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract - End Date: 31/03/2028

Interview dates: 1st stage (W/c 2/12/2026 ) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to  (w/c 04/01/2027)

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.

We are looking for a Major Initiatives Programme Lead, Mental Health for a fixed term contract

Where in Wellcome will I be working? 

You’ll help deliver Wellcome’s ambition to transform early intervention for anxiety, depression and psychosis, supporting major programmes that turn evidence and innovation into meaningful health impact. You’ll bring strong governance, portfolio oversight and collaborative working to our Mental Health initiatives, helping us manage risk, monitor outcomes and work effectively with partners and colleagues to deliver our strategic goals

What will I be doing? 

You will review, analyse and present the impact of our over 200 existing mental health investments, including considering their impact in terms of impact on population health outcomes, policy change, the investment they leverage from other philanthropies and the private sector, and our wider contribution to shaping the mental health system. You will lead on this work working closely with colleagues across the mental health team including the mental health director and colleagues in communications

As a Major Initiatives Programme Lead, Mental Health, you may also be called upon to: 

• Support the delivery of major Mental Health initiatives, working with the Director of Mental Health and colleagues across Wellcome to turn strategic priorities into effective programmes and activities.
• Provide oversight of the Mental Health portfolio, establishing clear processes for governance, reporting and progress against agreed objectives.
• Identify and manage risks, challenges and emerging opportunities, bringing together the right expertise to develop practical solutions and keep initiatives on track.
• Build strong relationships with strategic partners and funders, developing an understanding of their priorities and ways of working to strengthen collaboration and delivery.
• Lead and coordinate key initiatives across teams, creating effective ways for colleagues to contribute and helping raise the profile and impact of Wellcome’s Mental Health work.
• Promote high standards of governance, accountability and inclusive working, taking ownership of the risk and control environment and contributing to a collaborative culture across Wellcome.

Is this job for me?

You will review, analyse and communicate the impact of our 200+ existing mental health investments, considering their contribution to population health outcomes, policy change, investment leveraged from other philanthropies and the private sector, and Wellcome’s wider role in shaping the mental health system. Working closely with colleagues across the Mental Health team, including the Director and Communications colleagues, you’ll bring strong analytical and strategic thinking, experience of theories of change and impact frameworks, and the ability to turn complex information into clear, compelling insights for a range of audiences, including senior leaders and governance groups.

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: 

• Experience of assessing the impact of a portfolio of programmes, projects or investments, using approaches such as theories of change, impact frameworks or outcomes measurement.
• Experience of analysing complex information and translating findings into clear, evidence-based insights and recommendations for senior leaders, governance groups or other audiences.
• Experience of building and managing relationships with a range of stakeholders and partners, including influencing and constructively challenging senior stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Experience of delivering complex programmes or initiatives, including managing competing priorities, identifying risks and solving problems to achieve agreed objectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication experience, including presenting complex analytical or strategic information clearly and accessibly to different audiences.

Applications Questions:

• Using examples please provide evidence to demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as outlined above? (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 the key task of this role as outlined above. 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 [email protected]. 

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