Non-Executive Director (Health)

Genomics England has appointed Egon Zehnder search firm for the recruitment of this role. Please do not apply to this advert, which is for information purposes only. Please see below for all the information you need to contact Egon Zehnder with any queries and/or to express your interest. Thank you.

Genomics England is a global leader in enabling genomic medicine and research, focused on creating a world where everyone benefits from genomic healthcare. Building on the 100,000 Genomes Project, we support the NHS’s world-first national whole genome sequencing service and run the growing National Genomic Research Library, alongside delivering numerous major genomics initiatives. By connecting research and clinical care at national scale, we enable immediate healthcare benefits and advances for the future.

Our mission is to provide the evidence and digital systems so that by 2035 genomics could play a role in up to half of all healthcare interactions, whilst securing the UK’s position as the best place to discover, prove and benefit from genomic innovations.

We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.

Behind the Healthcare and Research outcomes, Genomics England delivers through designing, developing and operating complex healthcare software systems.

We're on the cusp of big changes with the real prospect of genomics becoming the fabric of everyday healthcare through the lifetime – from birth to old age.

Contact point for all applicants:

• Name: Egon Zehnder
• Email: [email protected]

How to apply:

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive CV along with a short covering letter which sets out your interest in the role and encapsulates the aspects of your experience relevant to the required criteria.

Please email your application to [email protected]

Please note that references and open-source due diligence checks (including into social media accounts) may be undertaken for all short-listed candidates.

Please note that all applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK.

If you require any adjustments to make the recruitment process more accessible, please contact Egon Zehnder at [email protected]

Application process:

Key Dates:

• Applications will remain open for 4 weeks, closing on 10th March 2026.
• Selected candidates will be invited to stakeholder meetings and a panel interview with Genomics England due to be held in London in May 2026. Full details of the assessment process will be shared with candidates shortlisted to interview.

Candidate Brief

You will find the Non-Executive Director (Health) full job description and other supporting information, including how to apply and key dates and steps for the recruitment process, within this link Genomics England Non Executive Director (Health) candidate pack

Key responsibilities are to:

• Support the Chair of Genomics England to examine, challenge and support strategy development, operational delivery and wider implications of Genomics England programmes and associated political and policy challenges
• Provide specific challenge and support to GEL decisions and risk monitoring.
• Bring an independent perspective to the work of Genomics England, with specific, recognised subject matter expertise in clinical science and research focused on genomics.
• Champion an open, honest, and transparent culture within the organisation.   
• Ensure that the organisation values diversity and demonstrates equality of opportunity in its treatment of staff and service users and in all aspects of its business.   
• Contribute effectively to discussions on the leadership and performance of Genomics England at Board and Executive/Non-Executive meetings.   
• Work with the Chair and the senior management team to scrutinise Genomics England’s management information to ensure performance and delivery of the Annual Business Plan, and that other key objectives are ambitious and achievable.  
• Contribute as chairs or members of Board sub-committees within Genomics England’s corporate governance framework.  

Essential criteria

• Extensive scientific leadership experience in genomics from health, research, or innovation, with an ideal candidate bringing a mix of experience from academic, NHS, industry, or similar organisational settings.
• The ability to contribute to strategic discussions at board level, with a specific focus on clinical science credibility in the field of genomics.
• Proven ability to bridge the worlds of science, policy, and industry, ensuring alignment between research excellence, public health priorities, and economic growth.
• Commitment to advancing healthcare outcomes, research excellence, and innovation with a focus on transparency, and ethical stewardship.
• Experience at executive and
• non-executive level.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to offer challenge and support in a constructive, straightforward, and open manner on both strategic and operational matters.
• A strong commitment to the highest ethical standards of integrity and honesty.

Desirable criteria

• Experience in patient engagement, consent processes, and ethical considerations in research.
• Senior-level experience and knowledge of effective governance in complex organisations in the private and/or public sectors – preferably at board level.  
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to challenge executive management constructively. 
• Knowledge of UK health and life sciences policy, with influence in Whitehall and relationships across HM Government, the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England, the Treasury, and regulatory bodies.

Appointment: This is a Ministerial appointment.

Remuneration: this role attracts £7,883 per annum. It is non pensionable and payable via PAYE. Reasonable expenses are also payable in accordance with our Travel and Expenses Policy but expenses incurred in relation to travel to our London office are taxable.

Term of appointment: Three years, renewable for a further term, and in exceptional circumstances renewal for a third term.

Time commitment: the anticipated time commitment is a circa 15 to 20 days per annum. The role involves attendance at Board and the Audit Committee, providing advice as required, preparation time, travel and some work outside of meetings.

Equal opportunities and our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace 

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice both within our community and in any other area where we have influence. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of any disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, or social background. 

Genomics England’s policies of non-discrimination and equity and will be applied fairly to all people, regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, being pregnant or recently becoming a parent, race, religion or beliefs, sex or sexual orientation, length of service, whether full or part-time or employed under a permanent or a fixed-term contract or any other relevant factor.  

Genomics England does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, victimisation or bullying at work. Such behaviour undermines our mission and core values and diminishes the dignity, respect and integrity of all parties. Our People policies outline our commitment to inclusivity. 

We aim to remove barriers in our recruitment processes and to be flexible with our interview processes. Should you require any adjustments that may help you to fully participate in the recruitment process, we encourage you to discuss this with us. 

Culture

We have four key behaviours that represent what we would like Genomics England to feel like and the culture we want to encourage, in order for us to achieve our mission. These behaviours help us all work well together, deliver on our outcomes, celebrate our successes and share feedback with each other. You can read about these and other aspects of our culture here Culture | Genomics England