Head of Programmes
Working for a leading Global Health Organisation, who partner with over 150 organisations across nearly 50 countries and who are entering the next phase of growth as they evolve from a community-building organisation to one that catalyses patient partnership in research, policy and health systems transformation.
The Head of Programmes will provide strategic and operational leadership across their global
programme portfolio, ensuring their work delivers measurable impact for the
community.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Head of Programmes will oversee the design, delivery and continuous improvement of programmes spanning community and patient engagement, patient networks, global advocacy and policy, European collaborative projects, patient research and evidence generation.
They will play a central role in translating the organisation’s new strategy into high-quality programmes, building partnerships, developing new opportunities and leading a multidisciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Lead the implementation of programme strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and measurable impact.
- Translate strategic objectives into an integrated programme portfolio with clear outcomes, milestones and performance measures.
- Identify opportunities to expand the organisation’s work in research, advocacy, patient engagement and health systems transformation.
- Contribute as a member of the Leadership Team to organisational strategy, planning and decision-making.
- Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement across the organisation.
Programme Leadership
Provide strategic oversight of the organisation’s portfolio including:
- Community and patient engagement
- Affiliates development
- Global thematic patient networks and related projects
- European collaborative projects and consortia
- Global advocacy and policy programmes
- Patient experience research and evidence generation
- Capacity strengthening and patient leadership development
- Annual Unite Summit and strategic convening activities
- overseeing programme design, implementation and evaluation;
- ensuring delivery against objectives, budgets and funder requirements;
- managing programme risks and dependencies;
- embedding monitoring, evaluation and learning across the portfolio;
- ensuring programmes generate measurable impact and value for the patient community
Represent the organisation with senior stakeholders including:
- patient organisations and alliances;
- UN/WHO and international agencies;
- EU/regional institutions
- Academia and research consortia;
- Private sector partners;
- funders;
- professional societies
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships that strengthen their influence and programme impact.
Identify opportunities for new collaborations, funding and innovation.
Work closely with the Executive Director to:
- identify funding opportunities;
- develop grant proposals;
- build multi-stakeholder initiatives;
- expand international programme portfolio
Ensure robust programme management systems across the organisation including:
- programme governance;
- risk management;
- quality assurance;
- financial accountability;
- monitoring and evaluation;
- funder reporting;
- organisational learning
Work closely with the Leadership team to:
- Oversee programme budgets across the portfolio.
- Ensure effective financial planning and resource allocation.
- Monitor expenditure against budgets.
- Work closely with finance colleagues to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
- Support organisational sustainability through effective programme planning.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
- Significant experience (8–10+ years) leading complex international programmes within global health, international development or the non-profit sector.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong programme and portfolio management experience.
- Experience working with international donors and grant-funded programmes.
- Experience working across multiple countries and cultures.
- Experience developing strategic partnerships across government, civil society, academia and industry.
- Experience translating strategy into operational delivery.
- Experience managing organisational change and growth.
Desirable Experience
- Non-communicable diseases; global health and development
- Patient engagement, patient advocacy and patient-centred research.
- Policy and advocacy
- Health systems strengthening.
- Capacity building and organisational development.
We are looking for someone who is:
- A collaborative leader
- Committed to equity, inclusion and meaningful patient involvement
- Passionate about improving global health through patient partnership
- Strategic, innovative and solutions-oriented
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Adaptable and resilient