Head of Strategic Operations, Wellcome
£97.2k
More information about location
3+ days a week in office (Euston Road, London)
Global charitable foundation for science research
Job no longer available
Global charitable foundation for science research
1001+ employees
Job no longer available
£97.2k
More information about location
3+ days a week in office (Euston Road, London)
1001+ employees
Company mission
Wellcome's mission is to support science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone.
Role
Who you are
- This role best suits someone who can balance strategic and operational thinking and planning effectively
- Being able to deal positively with ambiguity, take a flexible/adaptable approach to respond to fast paced quality delivery, maintaining confidentiality and developing healthy relationships with stakeholders at all levels of seniority are essential for thriving in this role
- Experience of influencing and implementing strategies, programmes and operating plans including substantial experience of working closely with senior stakeholders (internal and external)
- A deep understanding of the global health space as well as the government and policy arena as relevant to Wellcome’s mission/strategy is strongly desirable
- Evidenced knowledge of Wellcome’s priorities and interests and of policy issues in the science and research policy sector, both in the UK and globally
- Experience of managing budgets and leading highly motivated teams that achieve great results
- Strong interpersonal skills, collegial with high integrity and committed to the highest ethical standards
- Fluent and persuasive communicator with a great ability to build trust and credibility with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of seniority
What the job involves
- We are looking for a Head of Strategic Operations to join our team in the CEO’s Office
- The role reports to the Chief of Staff
- You will be managing planning and operations of the Executive Office (this is a part of the CEO Office department) and oversee a team of four (Executive Assistants to Chair and CEO, Executive Support Assistant to Governors, and Committee Coordinator & Administrator)
- The CEO Office is a central nexus for ensuring the organisation’s resources, processes, and activities are aligned to deliver Wellcome’s mission and strategy
- It has a crucial role in developing Wellcome's strategy, related programmes and initiatives, and monitoring organisational impact
- Strategic Operations is one of four functions within the CEO Office
- This role is a part of the CEO Office Leadership Team, led by the Chief of Staff, and Wellcome’s Leadership Forum, chaired by the CEO
- You will be responsible to ensure appropriate and efficient use of the CEO’s time, working closely with the Chief of Staff and acting as a strategic thought partner to ensure these prioritisation decisions are aligned to Wellcome’s mission and strategy
- You will also be managing the operational functioning of the Executive Office and oversee a team that supports senior staff such as the CEO, Chair, and those responsible for the governance secretariat
- Manage the interface between the CEO and the rest of the organisation, identifying and effectively resolving completing priorities and issues
- Work in partnership with the Head of Strategic Advice to bring strategic oversight to the use of the CEO’s time (internal and external), ensuring that their commitments reach broad coverage and greatest impact to Wellcome’s mission/strategy
- Anticipate and ensure the timely co-ordination and production of reports, briefings, and meeting notes required by CEO
- Ensure procurement activities, budgets and contributions to internal reporting are all completed within policy and to time. This includes coordinating, leading forecasting and monitoring of the CEO Office’s Team’s budget management
- Contribute to the creation and development of a diverse and inclusive culture across the organisation, and advocate for Wellcome’s mission in all internal and external interactions
Application process
- Closing date: Sunday, 19 January 2025
- To apply please upload your current CV and complete our short application
- Interview dates: w/c 27 January and w/c 3 February 2025
Salary benchmarks
Our take
The Wellcome Trust was originally founded in 1936 to fund medical research and has since grown into the UK’s largest private scientific research fund, and one of the wealthiest charities in the world. Disbursing over £1 billion in funds a year, it has provided funding to numerous medical research projects in its focus areas of mental health, climate & health and infectious diseases. These include the Cancer Genome Project and the Ebola Emergency Initiative.
Wellcome's recent decision to divest itself of its shares in fossil fuels has also relieved it of a persistent source of controversy, as this was potentially hindering the credibility of its climate change research. Wellcome has since partnered with the World Economic Forum to collect data on how climate change is affecting health worldwide.
The company is also moving to adjust to a more global role. The majority of its funding has historically been allocated to UK firms, but as climate change and infectious diseases know no borders, neither does research into solutions to these problems. ln 2019 it established an office in Berlin to strengthen its scientific links in the EU and to allow it to more easily fund important research outside of the UK.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Company
Company benefits
- Holiday – 25 days’ holiday a year plus bank holidays (and we usually close between Christmas and New Year)
- Pension (defined contribution plan) – you contribute at least 3% and we pay in 15% of your salary
- Income protection – to maintain your income if you have a prolonged illness or disability
- Life assurance – four to six times your basic salary if you’re a member of our pension plan
- Interest-free travel season ticket loan
- Private medical insurance – we pay the cover, you pay the tax (and you can pay to add dependants)
- Gym and fitness classes – free membership to on-site gym and subsidised fitness classes and treatments
- Employee assistance programme – free, independent 24/7 help and advice for work-related issues as well as problems affecting your home life
- Mental health support – our network of mental health first aiders can be a first point of contact, or help while you're receiving professional help
- Health assessments (free and voluntary) – after you’ve been here for one year, then every two years after that
- Occupational health – annual eye tests and flu jabs, as well as job-related vaccinations
- Flexible working – we make every effort to support flexible working, including flexible working hours and remote working (we respect people's different working preferences and the need for a healthy work-life balance)
- Flexi-leave scheme – you can buy or sell up to five days of your holiday entitlement a year
- Staff social club – a range of sports teams and fun events throughout the year
- Volunteering – we give you up to four days' paid leave a year to contribute to our local community
- Give As You Earn – allows you to make tax-free donations to the charities you care about
- Cycle-to-work scheme – we offer at least 25% discount on bikes and cycling equipment and we have secure cycle storage, lockers and showers
- Subsidised restaurant and cafe
- Wellcome Collection discounts – 20% off food, drink and gifts from our cafe, restaurant and shop
- Discounts through Perkbox – shopping, restaurants, cinema tickets, phone insurance and gift cards
Company values
- We make it count
- We act boldly
- We stretch ourselves
- We pull together
Company HQ
London, UK
Articles
Leadership
Jeremy Farrar
(Director, not founder)Has been Director of the Wellcome Trust since 2013. Before that was Director of Oxford Clinical Research Unit, working on research and clinical trials for diseases in Vietnam.
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