Chief Community Officer

Title: Chief Community Officer 
Specifications: Permanent, Full Time 
Salary: Due to the variety of possible global south locations for this role, a single salary range is not applicable. Compensation will be benchmarked using a specialist independent third party and tailored to the successful candidate's location.  

Location: We are a remote-first organisation.  The successful candidate will be an established and credible Cochrane leader who is based in, from, or has strong professional and leadership roots in the Global South, with substantial experience of evidence synthesis and collaboration across complex international networks. 

Closing date: 10 September 2026 
Interview dates: expected to be held remotely on 28th & 29th September 2026. 

Cochrane is a global, independent network committed to producing trusted evidence to support better health decisions.   We are entering an important period of transformation as the evidence ecosystem changes rapidly, with growing demand for timely, living, interoperable and decision-ready evidence.  

The Chief Community Officer (CCO) is the executive leader responsible for shaping and delivering Cochrane’s global community strategy. The role will strengthen the contribution, influence, and experience of members, contributors, leaders, partners, and collaborators, ensuring that the community is central to Cochrane’s strategy, transformation, and long-term sustainability.  

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Community Officer (CCO) will lead community engagement, membership, participation pathways, learning and support, events, and global partnerships. They will embed co-production, transparency, shared leadership, and equitable global participation, with particular emphasis on strengthening leadership and influence from the Global South.  

The opportunity 

The Chief Community Officer will develop, deliver, and evaluate a coherent global community and membership strategy aligned with Cochrane’s organisational priorities which involves inclusive participation, leadership, mentorship, and progression pathways that give community members clear routes to influence and help deliver Cochrane’s strategy. 

The Chief Community Officer will be a visible, trusted, and accessible executive leader, building shared purpose, transparency, collaboration, and confidence through organisational change.  Their mission will be to provide strategic and people leadership for community-facing teams and functions, setting clear priorities and aligning resources with the community strategy. 

With Cochrane entering a pivotal period of transformation, the Chief Community Officer will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer to set the strategic direction and success measures for Cochrane Colloquia, learning programmes, and other major community events, ensuring scientific value, inclusion, connection, and financial sustainability. 

We are looking for someone who brings 

• Significant senior leadership experience in a complex, mission-driven, volunteer-led international organisation, network, or partnership.  It is expected that the right candidate would be an established and credible leader within the Cochrane community who has deep knowledge of Cochrane’s culture, values, governance, scientific mission, and collaborative ways of working, and who is based in, from, or has strong professional and leadership roots in the Global South. 

• Substantial experience of conducting or leading evidence synthesis activities involving multiple contributors, groups, or international teams, supported by a strong understanding of systematic reviews, guideline development, and evidence-informed decision-making. 

• Proven experience of leading organisational, digital, technological, or cultural change and securing commitment to new ways of working across diverse teams and stakeholder groups. 

• Demonstrated experience of advancing equity, inclusion, co-production, and global participation through locally led priorities, equitable partnerships, and inclusive leadership. 

• Proven experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets and resources, and translating strategy into prioritised delivery plans with measurable outcomes. 
  
  

Inclusion statement 

Cochrane is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and from those who share our commitment to trusted evidence, collaboration, equity, independence and public benefit. 

Cochrane is proud to hold Level 3 Leader status as a Disability Confident Employer.  Candidates who meet the criteria for the role and who share that they have a disability, will be eligible for a guaranteed interview. 

How to apply  

• The deadline to receive your application is 10 September 2026. 

• The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples  

• Please read the Candidate Guide which gives you more information about our employee benefits and outlines what you can expect from the application process Candidate Pack   

• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement