Head of Programs - Social Impact and Philanthropy

UBS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global wealth manager is seeking a Head of Programs to provide strategic leadership for its global program portfolio. The role involves overseeing programs in education, health, and environment, managing a team, and integrating innovative financing structures. The ideal candidate should have senior leadership experience in philanthropy, a clear understanding of blended finance, and the ability to engage various stakeholders. Strong commitment to transparency and evidence-based decisions is essential. This position is based in London.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Supportive team environment

Opportunities for growth

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in global philanthropy or development finance.
• Deep understanding of blended finance and impact investing.
• Proven track record in delivering complex programs at scale.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of the Foundation’s global program portfolio.
• Manage and mentor Program Directors for quality interventions.
• Collaborate with social-impact actors to align strategies.

Skills

Senior leadership experience

Understanding of blended finance

Program management skills

Stakeholder engagement skills

Strong strategic thinking

Commitment to transparency

Ability to inspire a team

Job description

Job Reference #

331880BR

City

London

Job Type

Full Time

Your role

As Head of Programs, you will provide strategic leadership for the Foundation’s global program portfolio. You will manage a team of Program Directors, overseeing thematic and regional programs across education, health, climate/environment, humanitarian aid, and social‑finance vehicles. Your role ensures alignment with the Foundation’s overarching social‑impact strategy, blending traditional philanthropy with innovative financing structures to maximize impact, sustainability, and scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of the Foundation’s global program portfolio, including thematic and regional programs.


• Manage and mentor Program Directors to deliver high‑quality, evidence‑based interventions.


• Integrate social‑finance mechanisms; blended finance, impact investing, outcome‑based financing; into program design alongside traditional grants.


• Oversee deployment of funds across grants and investments, ensuring robust monitoring and evaluation and grant/grantee management.


• Conduct rigorous partner selection and collaborate with GSI COO on due diligence, assessing impact potential and reputational, financial, and operational risk.


• Collaborate with UBS’s Social Impact & Philanthropy advisors to align strategies and client‑facing platforms.


• Maintain high standards of transparency and reporting; oversee impact reports and learning reviews.


• Work with the Strategic Partnerships team to build partnerships and co‑funding arrangements with public, private, and civil‑society actors to amplify scale and sustainability.

Your team

The UBS Optimus Foundation is UBS’s global philanthropic and social‑impact platform, partnering with UBS client donors, and social‑impact actors to deliver scalable, systemic change in education, health, environment, and humanitarian emergencies. We combine traditional grant‑making with social finance and impact investing, offering a spectrum of funding methodologies, from pure grants to concessional and market‑rate impact investments, tailored to the needs and potential of each initiative.

Your expertise

• Senior leadership experience in global philanthropy, social impact, or development finance, with expertise in grant‑making and social finance.


• Deep understanding of blended finance, impact investing, and outcomes‑based financing, including structuring and impact measurement.


• Proven track record in delivering complex, multi‑thematic, multi‑region programs at scale.


• Strong strategic thinking and program management skills; ability to balance innovation with risk management.


• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across diverse sectors.


• Commitment to transparency, evidence‑based decision‑making, and integrity.


• Ability to lead and inspire a high‑performing global team.

About us

UBS is a leading and truly global wealth manager and the leading universal bank in Switzerland. We also provide diversified asset management solutions and focused investment banking capabilities. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, UBS is present in more than 50 markets around the globe.

We know that great work is never done alone. That’s why we place collaboration at the heart of everything we do. Because together, we’re more than ourselves. Want to find out more? Visit ubs.com/careers.

Join us

At UBS, we know that it's our people, with their diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds, who drive our ongoing success. We’re dedicated to our craft and passionate about putting our people first, with new challenges, a supportive team, opportunities to grow and flexible working options when possible. Our inclusive culture brings out the best in our employees, wherever they are on their career journey.

We’re committed to disability inclusion and if you need reasonable accommodation/adjustments throughout our recruitment process, you can always contact us.

Disclaimer / Policy statements

UBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce.