Programme director jobs in belfast

Editor in Chief
Contract: Permanent, Full-time
Salary: c£110,000
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Flexible, with a preference for the UK, Germany, or Denmark.

Our client is a globally recognised leader in evidence-based healthcare. For over 30 years, the organisation has been committed to producing trusted health evidence that informs decisions, improves outcomes, and supports better health for all.

The organisation is now seeking an outstanding Editor in Chief to provide scientific, editorial, and publishing leadership across its global evidence production and publishing activities. This is a pivotal appointment that will shape the future scientific direction and ensure that the organisation’s evidence remains rigorous, relevant, and trusted worldwide.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Editor in Chief will lead the implementation of the organisation’s 2025–2030 Scientific Strategy, guiding its evidence synthesis and publishing portfolio, and ensuring the highest standards of methodological integrity and policy relevance.

The Editor in Chief will be responsible for setting the scientific and editorial vision, strengthening the organisation’s position as the global benchmark for trustworthy evidence. The postholder will work in close partnership with the CEO and Governing Board to uphold editorial independence and scientific credibility, while advancing innovation through living evidence, AI integration, and equity-centred approaches.

The Editor in Chief will also serve as one of the organisation’s key scientific ambassadors, engaging with funders, policymakers, and international partners such as the World Health Organization, the Wellcome Trust, and other leaders in the global evidence ecosystem.

To be successful in this role, the organisation is looking for:

• An internationally recognised expert in evidence synthesis or related fields, with a deep understanding of methodological standards and research integrity.

• A proven leader with experience managing complex scientific or editorial programmes, ideally with international reach.

• A strong track record of innovation in evidence production, including digital, AI-enabled, or living evidence approaches.

• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels across scientific, policy, and health communities.

• A personal commitment to the organisation’s values of rigour, transparency, and collaboration, and to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in global health research.

• The motivation and courage to lead change within a dynamic and evolving external landscape, taking thoughtful, evidence-informed risks to drive progress.

• The ability to inspire, engage, and unite both the internal team and the wider community around a shared purpose, demonstrating emotional intelligence, adaptability, and composure when navigating complexity and challenge.

Above all, the successful candidate will bring vision, integrity, and passion for the transformative role of high-quality evidence in improving health outcomes worldwide. This is a unique opportunity to lead the scientific strategy of a world-leading organisation at a time of significant innovation and opportunity.

If you share this commitment to evidence-based practice, global collaboration, and equity in health, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please see the appointment brief for a more detailed outline of the role, along with additional information about the organisation and its community.

How to Apply:
Please apply by submitting an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement addressing the role requirements via the Prospectus website.

The organisation is a Disability Confident employer. If you have a disability and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in your covering letter. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, we encourage you to tell us.