Major Initiatives Programme Lead Mental Health

Wellcome Trust; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 68,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working options

Wellcome benefits

Job summary

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.

This role supports the Mental Health portfolio, delivering governance, oversight and collaboration with partners to turn strategy into measurable health impact. You will review, analyse and present the impact of our 200+ mental health investments, managing risks, reporting progress and working with senior leaders to drive

Qualifications

• Experience assessing the impact of a portfolio of programmes, projects or investments using theories of change, impact frameworks or outcomes measurement.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, evidence-based insights for senior leaders and governance groups.
• Experience building and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Responsibilities

• Review, analyse and present the impact of Wellcome’s 200+ mental health investments across population health outcomes, policy change and leveraged investment.
• Lead on governance, reporting and progress against agreed objectives within the Mental Health portfolio.
• Coordinate initiatives across teams, manage risks and foster collaboration with partners and funders.

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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 [e-mail].

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.