Media and Planning Lead

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 plan to spend £16bn over the next ten years, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won’t be solved by science alone.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

You will work within the Communications function, part of Wellcome’s Corporate Affairs directorate reporting to the Head of News and Content. This is a people‑management role leading a team of four Media and Planning Managers and a Senior Communications Coordinator within a cross‑functional environment that works closely with research programme teams, policy and government relations and strategic partnerships. Your work will directly support Wellcome Trust to effectively communicate its mission across its Solutions programmes -Climate & Health, Mental Health and Infectious Diseases, as well as Discovery research.

What will I be doing?

You will lead the development and delivery of a proactive, data‑driven media strategy that strengthens Wellcome Trust’s influence on global health challenges. This includes:

• Guiding your team to surface compelling stories from across Wellcome’s programmes and partnerships, translating complex scientific and policy evidence into clear, engaging narratives.

• Leading capability‑building across the organisation on news writing, narrative development.

• Oversee and develop the systems, technologies and external supplier partnerships that support a high-performing media office, driving operational excellence and effective service delivery.

• Using AI‑enabled insight, sentiment analysis and predictive modelling to identify emerging narratives, opportunities and risks across Wellcome’s key areas of focus.

• Ensuring Wellcome’s voice is present in the right debates at the right time through both proactive and reactive media engagement.

• Overseeing high‑quality news production across channels, working closely with content and brand and corporate communications colleagues.

• Working in close conjunction with the other lead roles across Wellcome’s News and Content function – Brand and Corporate Communications and Content Lead to support teams to effectively plan ahead and develop cohesive strategic plans for communications across Wellcome Trust.

Is this job for me?

This role is ideal if you are an experienced media leader who thrives in a fast‑moving, cross‑functional environment and enjoys shaping narratives on complex global issues. You’ll succeed here if you:

• Bring strong editorial judgement and can spot emerging narratives and reputational risks early.

• Are energised by leading and developing high‑performing teams.

• Can translate complex research into accessible, impactful stories.

• Are confident navigating matrixed organisations and building strong relationships across disciplines.

• Care deeply about inclusive, equitable communication and want to help evolve how Wellcome communicates using new formats, channels and technologies.

To apply for this role please submit an update CV and answer the application questions to demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements for the role.

Minimum Criteria

• Substantial experience leading and developing high-performing teams and commissioning and managing external agencies, ideally through periods of change, with demonstrable experience coordinating budgets, timelines or resources across multiple projects.

• Proven ability guiding a mid-sized team working across multiple organisational areas to apply strong editorial judgement and understanding how to shape narratives while translating complex or technical information into clear, engaging communications for diverse audiences.

• Significant experience in news strategy, media relations or editorial leadership, driving high-profile proactive media campaigns resulting in results globally.

• Strong editorial judgement and proven experience unearthing compelling toplines, emerging narratives and managing reputational risks working in close partnership with colleagues across a complex organisation.

• Strong line management skills and demonstrable experience motivating a team to deliver high‑quality outputs under pressure.

You can view the full Job Description on our website

You can read more about the benefits we offer our employees on our website

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 jobs@wellcome.org.

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