Practice Lead, Health (Maternity Cover)

Practice Lead, Health (Maternity Cover) About Palladium: Operating in over 50 countries, Palladium is a global consulting and implementation company working in partnership with governments, businesses, investors, and communities to design and deliver solutions that create lasting positive impact. We address some of the world’s most complex challenges across infrastructure, economic growth and natural capital, health, energy, climate and environment, and digital transformation—strengthening systems, institutions, and markets to support inclusive and sustainable development. Our more than 2,100 staff worldwide work as trusted advisors across diverse contexts, combining deep technical expertise, implementation techniques, and innovative technology to deliver locally informed, client-focused solutions that help organisations achieve measurable, sustainable impact. Palladium is part of GISI’s global family of companies, which aims to create solutions for the world’s most complex challenges. With annual revenues of $14 billion, GISI’s approximately 15,000 employees are engaged in projects across 100 countries worldwide providing construction, program/project management, and engineering consulting services. This Opportunity: Palladium’s UKEA Health Cluster is building on its position as one of the leading private sector providers of health systems strengthening and technical assistance services to donors across the UK and Europe. The Cluster is now focused on deepening its current portfolio with existing clients while expanding and diversifying its client base and service offer, building on recent growth and market success. This diversification component includes deepening engagement with UK and European government clients, global health partnerships, foundations, pharmaceutical and health product companies, and other organisations seeking high-quality technical expertise and implementation support. Palladium is seeking a Practice Lead, Health (maternity cover) to provide strategic leadership to the team during this exciting period of growth and diversification, from December 2026/January 2027 through September 2027. The role will drive and refine the Cluster's market strategy, strengthen and expand client relationships, develop compelling market-facing offers in new domains, grow a high-quality pipeline of opportunities, and ensure excellence in delivery across the new portfolio. The role builds directly on Palladium's established reputation as a trusted partner in health systems strengthening and global health and will work closely with colleagues across Palladium's Economic Growth, Climate & Environment, and Finance & Investment teams to deliver integrated solutions that address complex development and health challenges. Location: The position will be based in Palladium’s London office. Please note that applicants must have the right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Palladium follows a hybrid working model, with three days in the office and two days remote. Reporting Lines: The Practice Lead, Health will report to the Manager Director, UKEA This role will directly manage 2-4 staff members and maintain oversight over the Health cluster Primary Responsibilities: Practice strategy and leadership Implement the strategic vision for the Health Cluster as per the existing “Protect & Evolve” Strategic Plan under Palladium UKEA’s regional strategy, and emerging global priorities Work with the Health team to translate existing strengths in health systems strengthening, technical assistance, and global health security into new, coherent, and differentiated market offers Position Palladium as a partner of choice in health for new government and private sector clients Contribute as a senior member of the UKEA leadership team to wider organisational transformation and growth Business development Own and grow a strategic, diversified pipeline of new business opportunities Lead bid strategies for major tenders, including opportunity shaping and positioning; commercial and pricing strategies; partnering strategies and leadership in pitching or bidding processes Build and maintain senior-level client relationships, with new clients in particular Keep abreast of emerging market trends and opportunities Delivery oversight and quality assurance Provide senior oversight of the Health portfolio to ensure technical excellence and impact, strong delivery and financial performance, and high client satisfaction Act as programme director for selected programmes, as needed, during the period of maternity cover Team leadership and management Build and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary team, drawing on Palladium’s global expertise and external partners Clarify roles and accountabilities within the team; provide regular feedback to team members Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, delivery excellence and wellbeing Market positioning and thought leadership Represent Palladium at senior external forums, such as conferences and events Drive the development of thought leadership within practice focus areas Contribute to Palladium’s global teams in relevant areas Essential Criteria: Senior leadership and technical experience in health systems strengthening, with a strong preference for expertise in sexual reproductive health and rights, demographic transition, public financial management, and health financing Proven success in winning work, particularly with new clients as part of diversification efforts Experience overseeing large, complex programmes with multiple stakeholders, including FCDO Strong existing network across the global health sector, including donors, global health institutions, foundations, pharmaceutical and health product companies Core Skills: Strategic, systems-level thinker with strong commercial judgement Credible with senior government, donor and partner decision makers Able to communicate complex health issues clearly to technical and non-technical audience Comfortable growing a practice area in a changing policy and funding environment Strong people leader committed to performance and accountability Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early as the position may close once a suitable candidate is found. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made during the recruitment process (due to disability, neurodiversity, or for any other circumstance), please email our team at [email protected] and we will be in touch to discuss. Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.