Back Officer, Strategy & Implementation Management, Office of the CCO

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The TeamThe Communications Division, led by the Chief Communications Officer (CCO), oversees the foundation’s global communications strategy. The division unites internal and external communications to advance the foundation’s mission and amplify its impact around the world. The Communications Division is focused on achieving two goals: to build trust in the Gates Foundation and to inspire more people to care about our mission.

Application Deadline: February 27, 2026, at 11:59pm PST

Your Role

The Officer, Strategy & Implementation Management plays a central role in enabling effective planning, operations, and execution across the Communications Division. You run the division’s core operational processes, including Annual Planning, portfolio and investment management, and the rhythm of the business. You will ensure these processes are well-designed, consistently executed, and enable timely, well-informed leadership decisions. You will also design and champion improved ways of working (for example: AI-enabled workflows, standardized portfolio management practices, or common tools).

This is a cross-divisional role that works across Communications teams and in close partnership with business and programmatic partners. You will work alongside Senior Program Coordinators (SPCs) as an operational and strategic partner—providing structure, coordination, and decision support. You will become a go-to resource for the division, known as a problem solver and connector that is willing to lend a hand to any colleague or project.

What You’ll Do

Divisional and Team Operations

• Lead the development and coordination of the division’s annual planning and operational processes. This may include processes to prepare for Board and Chair meetings. Communicate these plans and status updates to all-staff and senior leadership via presentations and written documents.
• Support cross-division priorities by coordinating workstreams across team, provide project management and slide/materials support.
• Develop program plans for, and support execution of, key division initiatives - this may include translating goals to execution plans, tracking follow-ups and progress, and working as a catalyst for division change and learning.
• Monitor and report on current state and anticipated future state of Comms headcount in close partnership with division leadership and HR/Recruiting business partners.

  Portfolio and Investment Operations

  • Lead day-to-day portfolio and investment pipeline management, in partnership with the SPCs and Financial Planning & Analysis team. Collaborate to product an accurate financial forecast, maintain the pipeline, track financial payout and decision points, and surface tradeoffs and risks.
  • Co-lead, with SPCs, regular portfolio and investment check-ins with leaders to ensure clarity on budget, forecast and portfolio. Facilitate the ability to assess portfolio status, risks, and make adjustments needed.
  • Develop and implement divisional guidance for effective investment-making and operational processes.
  • Serve as divisional point of contact and liaison with various business partners (Finance, Legal, Grants & Contracts) to ensure timely, aligned decisions.
  • Provide analytic, research, and background support to inform portfolio reviews, learning, and course correction.

    Ways of Working and Operating Model

    • Support or coordinate divisional operating models, workflows, and decision forums, ensuring they are consistently applied and support effective execution.
    • Design and implement practical process improvements that address gaps, inefficiencies, and friction points across business and programmatic workflows
    • Support change management associated with new processes, tools, or ways of working.
    • Be a thought leader on embedding equity and inclusion in our operating model and processes

      Coordination, Communication, and Connection

      📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      • Serve as connective tissue across teams—supporting coordination, information flow, and shared understanding of priorities, decisions, and dependencies. Be a go-to resource for anyone with questions on divisional process or portfolio management.
      • Provide project and meeting management support for key forums, including agendas, materials, facilitation, and follow-up.
      • Contribute to cross-foundation initiatives in coordination with Program Managers throughout the organization.

        Culture and Team Health

        • Model inclusive behaviors and contribute to a collaborative, respectful team culture grounded in trust and shared accountability.
        • Build strong working relationships across Communications and with cross-divisional partners; surface issues and opportunities in a timely, constructive manner. Develop and maintain strong relationships with division senior leadership.
        • We are a team that prizes the unique combination of both confidence to productively challenge decisions or ways of working, with the humility to willingly do whatever is needed to help the team once a decision is made.

          Your Experience
          We are looking for people who are energized by working on complex, ambiguous challenges and developing creative solutions to drive clarity and impact. We seek a self-starter that thrives both being on point to lead specific areas of work while knowing how and when to bring others in for collaboration.

          • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience; advanced degree preferred but not required.
          • At least 7 years of experience in strategy, operations or program/project management.
          • Demonstrated experience being the responsible person coordinating strategic and annual planning, portfolio management, or operations processes.
          • Experience executing or improving operating models, business processes, or rhythms of the business.
          • Excellent communication skills. Demonstrated experience and willingness to clearly communicate via written documents, compelling PowerPoint materials, and presenting those materials to groups.
          • Financial and operational acumen, including experience supporting investment, budgeting, or resource allocation processes.
          • Strong organizational, facilitation, and communication skills, particularly with senior leaders.
          • Strategy development experience is valued, with a primary strength in translating strategy into execution.

            *Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

            The salary range for this role is $143,000 to $214,400 USD. We recognize high-wage market differences in Seattle and Washington D.C., where our offices are located. The range for this role in these locations is $157,300 to $235,900 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hire salaries are typically between the salary range minimum and the midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

            #LI-BR1

            Hiring Requirements

            As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

            Candidate Accommodations

            If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

            Inclusion Statement

            We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

            All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.