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Officer, Leadership Advising

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
paid time off
United States, Washington, Seattle
500 5th Avenue North (Show on map)
Aug 16, 2025

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofitfighting 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 Team

The Foundation Strategy Office is the primary function supporting the creation and evolution of our program level strategies as well as exploring new paths to impact that align with our mission. This includes supporting the CEO, CFO, and Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) in key accountabilities like strategy development, strategy revision, strategy performance measurement, portfolio management, and special initiatives to accelerate the impact of the foundation.

We are a team that places a significant emphasis on maintaining and growing our positive, humble, and intellectually curious culture. We believe that small groups of deeply committed team members can do phenomenal things. We encourage debate and discussion of tough issues and are committed to the success of our clients. We invest proactively in each other's personal and professional growth.

Your Role

The Officer, Leadership Advising, will serve as a strategic advisor on the CEO Strategy Team (CST) - ensuring our CEO, Mark Suzman, has the information needed to drive programmatic impact, supporting and advising him across program areas, and partnering with teams on their engagements with Mark.

What You'll Do

Track and advise the CEO on key programmatic and strategy developments.

  • Advise and support Mark on select program strategies
  • Track content and provide analytical support to help equip him for effective internal and external engagement on those topics
  • Synthesize and distill sophisticated information at the right level for review

Maintain relationships with assigned PSTs and key internal/external staff.

  • Establish and maintain relationships with internal partners (Deputy Directors, PST program staff, members of the Office of the CEO)
  • Seek out new relationships with staff as needed to deepen understanding of programmatic issues

Serve as a partner and resource to program teams on Mark's engagement and strategic issues.

  • Provide support and advice to program teams on their engagement with Mark on programmatic and strategy topics, representing his priorities and goals
  • Advise assigned program teams and on how to engage Mark for learning sessions, helping define agendas, recommend content and provide feedback on draft proposals

Provide core operational support and project management for select internal team efforts.

  • Maintain relationship and drive coordination, including tracking programmatic follow-ups and prep cycles
  • Advise and partner with Senior Program Coordinator to maintain and update knowledge management processes and tools, team ROB planning, and scheduling.
  • Offer backstop support to Senior Program Coordinator and/or Deputy Director during periods of high traffic.

Participate as a member of the Foundation Strategy Office (FSO); contribute thought partnership and insights to FSO special initiatives

  • Help drive culture of dedication and embodiment of foundation values
  • Proactively share cross-cutting strategic insights with the FSO and play a role in identifying cross-cutting foundation needs
  • Pending interest and relevance, lead critical strategy projects within the FSO, and engage in ongoing project and client management

Your Experience

  • Strong understanding (or ability to learn) about the foundation's Global Policy & Advocacy, US programs, regional offices, and/or Global Development strategies. Ability to flex and apply critical thinking skills to a range of topics is vital.
  • External expertise in the field, or with foundation partners is highly valued.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong ability to effectively synthesize information. Able to communicate clearly with diverse partners and quickly establish trust and credibility with Mark and other senior-level audiences (Chief Strategy Officer). Prior experience briefing senior-level executives or staff a plus.
  • Strategic problem solver with demonstrated ability to use quantitative and qualitative data to present options for decision making, highlight tradeoffs, and propose recommendations.
  • Outstanding communication skills and a demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships, and to influence a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds and at different levels.
  • Experience in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to balance multiple and competing demands and prioritize, while providing continual attention to detail. Calm under pressure with ability to navigate ambiguity or change.
  • Solid teammate who can operate independently. Ability to manage highly confidential issues and information, exercising appropriate discretion.
  • A bachelor's degree or equivalent demonstrated experience.
  • Experience working in roles within strategic planning and/or strategy implementation.
  • MBA, MPH, MPA, MA or other advanced degree in a relevant field is desirable.

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

The salary range for this role is $140,200 to $210,200. 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 $152,800 to $229,200 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hire salaries are typically between the 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.

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