Chief Operating Officer

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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

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 .

Company We also identify areas in which Wellcome can lead significant change within five or ten years, aiming to transform the global response to some of today's biggest health challenges.

We work with policy makers to ensure that good research is well supported, and that health is improved by changes to policies and practices based on evidence.

And we engage the public so that people are more aware of science and health research, and feel able to make the most of it in their own lives.

TALENT AND DEVELOPMENT AT WELLCOME At Wellcome, we'll encourage you to try new things and develop your skills.

We want people to join us who:

• think creatively
• aren't afraid to challenge the status quo
• have a positive attitude and an enthusiasm for learning.

We take your career development seriously. You'll find out about the learning, volunteering and social activities available at your induction.

Then each year you'll work on your own development plan, deciding what you want to achieve and how you'd like us to help you get there.

Here are some of the ways you can develop your knowledge and abilities:

• training programmes
• time off to volunteer
• working in other teams - anything from shadowing a colleague to a formal secondment
• working as part of an ad-hoc team on special projects - within Wellcome and with our partners

'My Career' festivals throughout the year, designed to help you think about your career plans

a study scheme - we provide financial support to help you learn relevant skills.

We want to help you make the most of the opportunities on offer in our diverse organisation.

GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AT WELLCOME Our two-year graduate development programme is your opportunity, as an enterprising, motivated recent graduate or Master's graduate, to help deliver Wellcome's mission to improve health.

You'll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals in a range of areas across Wellcome. These include funding, policy, investments, public engagement, communications and operations.

The next programme is scheduled to start on 7 September 2020.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME AT WELLCOME Our summer internships for undergraduates are designed to inspire, encourage and support a new generation who will go on to make a difference.

You'll work alongside our experienced staff in the area that most interests you, building on your existing skills and gaining new ones. We value your insights and ideas, and during your time with us you'll have every opportunity to make a real contribution.

Core 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.

Health and wellbeing

• 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.

Work-life balance

• 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.

Contribute to the community

• 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.

D&I TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AT WELLCOME We offer Unconscious Bias training for all our staff and Reverse Diverse Mentoring for our Executive team. The D&I team regularly reviews our training offer to ensure we are equipping and supporting colleagues in D&I best practice.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME at WELLCOME . click apply for full job details