Chief Operating Officer

Salary: £425,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Closing date: Sunday 22nd September

 

Founded in 1936, Wellcome is a politically and financially independent global charitable foundation, dedicated to supporting research to improve health, based in London, UK. It funds its work with the returns from an investment portfolio, which is managed in-house and currently stands at £37bn. ​Wellcome’s vision is a healthier future for everyone, which it works to achieve through its mission of supporting science to solve the urgent health challenges facing everyone.

 

Wellcome believes in the power of science to build a healthier future for everyone, and its strategy centres on programmes that enable discovery and solutions. Under the current strategy, Wellcome has identified three urgent health challenges facing everyone – Climate and Health, Infectious Diseases, and Mental Health – which need a different approach. It is also deeply committed to funding and supporting open-ended, curiosity-driven research that generates new knowledge, insights and understanding about life, health and wellbeing.

 

We are now recruiting for the position of Chief Operating Officer

 

The Chief Operating Officer reports directly to the Chief Executive officer and is a member of the Executive Committee. They will lead Wellcome’s operations to enhance the pace at which it delivers on its mission, providing key leadership support to the CEO, and acting as a key leadership link with the Wellcome Board of Governors and its sub-committees. Wellcome has embarked on an organisation transformation programme, and the COO will be critical in leading this effort.

 

Key responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Ensuring operational delivery is adaptable, flexible, efficient and integrated across all functional divisions (Financial Accounting; Tax; Corporate Finance; Risk; Internal Audit; Cybersecurity; IT support; Systems; Legal support; Ethics and Compliance; Company Secretariat; People and Organisational Culture)

• Chairing the Wellcome Operations Committee and serving on other external / internal committees and Boards as determined by the CEO

 

Wellcome has ambitious goals to improve equity, diversity, anti-racism and inclusion which it is determined to embed across its workforce, and in the delivery of its strategy. As such, applications are actively sought from the broadest range of society, including all under-represented groups.

 

You can view the full role specification and candidate pack on our website.

 

To apply please submit a document containing your CV and a short supporting statement.

 

Wellcome has appointed global search firm Egon Zehnder to support this search. Applications received by Wellcome using the apply button may be forwarded to Egon Zehnder.

 

Due to the anticipated volume of applications for this position, only those who have been selected for further consideration will be contacted. Details of Egon Zehnder’s privacy policy can be found at https://www.egonzehnder.com/privacy-policy

 

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. The appointed candidate should be willing to travel internationally.

 

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 . 

 

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