Gates Foundation
Senior Manager, Strategy & Implementation Management
Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, us, 98127
The Foundation
The Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity worldwide. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. Employees reflect the global diversity of the populations we serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package, 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 personally and professionally. The Team
The Philanthropic Partnerships team (PPT) mobilizes resources and builds the next generation of champions for global health and development (GH&D). Our strategy closes the gap between intent and action, ensuring philanthropy supports lasting change. We engage ultra‑high‑net‑wealth individuals, corporate and private foundations, philanthropic collaboratives, advisors, family offices, and social impact investors, strengthening the broader philanthropic ecosystem. Key programs include The Giving Pledge, Gates Philanthropy Partners, and initiatives that enhance the infrastructure for GH&D giving. Over the next five years, we focus on mobilizing resources for GH&D priorities, expanding approaches and partnerships, growing work across global regions, and cultivating the next generation of GH&D champions while reinforcing leadership in global giving. Your Role
As Senior Manager, you enable the Philanthropic Partnerships Team to translate strategic vision into practical execution. This role sits within the Strategy, Planning & Management (SPM) function, driving strategy development, planning, performance monitoring, and operational excellence at the Foundation. You guide and facilitate business planning processes, manage the team’s portfolio of investments, strengthen organizational systems, and lead business improvement initiatives that enhance impact, alignment, and collaboration. You are part of a 41‑person team that works across global offices and stewards an annual budget of $47m. You manage a team of four program assistants who support day‑to‑day operations. We’re accepting applications until 5:00 pm PDT on January 9, 2026. Please include a cover letter highlighting your work to serve under‑resourced communities in at least one of the foundation’s priority markets outside the US. What You’ll Do
You are a strategic thinker and problem solver who balances strategy and execution, structure and creativity, and brings both rigor and empathy to work on complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives in a matrixed organization. Strategy And Governance Moments
Drive the team’s operational rhythm of business, including annual governance moments, goal‑setting, budgeting and resource allocation, body of work updates, and performance tracking & measurement. Drive strategic planning efforts in collaboration with DD‑SPM and the Philanthropic Partnerships Leadership Team, including research, analysis, and project management to inform strategic pivots in the portfolio and translate strategic goals into annual implementation plans across key geographies and markets. Prepare the team for annual governance moments, learning sessions, briefings with the chair and foundation leadership; compile, analyze, and write strategy documents and progress narratives; project manage submission of all required materials. Portfolio Management And Operations
Oversee portfolio management, including investment pipeline planning, budget forecasting, and performance tracking. Drive and monitor progress against budget and key resourcing decisions; partner with internal stakeholders (Finance, Contracts, Legal) and prepare analysis and recommendations to enable data‑driven decision‑making and effective resource stewardship. Design and implement high‑quality team engagements such as all‑staff meetings, foundation week programming, team building, and learning opportunities that enable the team to deliver strategic goals across key geographies and by implementing core values (collaboration, innovation, optimism, rigor, inclusion). Coordinate thoughtful onboarding of new team members. Business Improvement And Project Management
Represent the team in cross‑foundation forums, ensuring strategic alignment, coordination, and timely information flow between the foundation, the division, and the team. Run business improvement projects supporting annual planning, resource allocation, investment management, rhythm of business, and other strategic or programmatic priorities that enable the team to mobilize philanthropic capital across key geographies and markets. Manage and lead special projects, establishing clear objectives, work plans, and accountabilities while maintaining momentum toward strategic outcomes. People Management
Provide day‑to‑day supervision, guidance, and mentorship to a team of four program assistants, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing work environment; represent the team’s needs and contributions in broader divisional and team planning and decision‑making processes. Your Experience
A master’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience. 10+ years of equivalent experience in business administration, public policy, international development, philanthropy or a related field with a specific focus in one of the foundation’s priority geographies outside the US. Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget planning, forecasting, and performance tracking; ability to create structures and develop frameworks to increase clarity and transparency of decisions, trade‑offs, and impact on financial and organizational resources. Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into implementation through exceptional project management, content mastery, business operations, monitoring & evaluation, and change management practices; excellent analytical and communication skills, synthesizing complex ideas and data into clear insights and practical recommendations. Exceptional relationship management, with a track record of building trust and alignment across diverse teams and partners; deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ability to integrate those values into strategy, operations, and culture. Demonstrated people management skills, including experience supervising and developing teams by fostering collaboration, professional growth, and accountability to deliver high‑quality results. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. Salary Range
The salary range for this role is $186,400 to $288,800 USD. In Seattle and Washington D.C. offices, the range is $203,100 to $314,900 USD. Actual placement will depend on candidate’s job‑related skills, experience, and expertise, evaluated during interview. Hiring Requirements
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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The Gates Foundation is the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity worldwide. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. Employees reflect the global diversity of the populations we serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package, 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 personally and professionally. The Team
The Philanthropic Partnerships team (PPT) mobilizes resources and builds the next generation of champions for global health and development (GH&D). Our strategy closes the gap between intent and action, ensuring philanthropy supports lasting change. We engage ultra‑high‑net‑wealth individuals, corporate and private foundations, philanthropic collaboratives, advisors, family offices, and social impact investors, strengthening the broader philanthropic ecosystem. Key programs include The Giving Pledge, Gates Philanthropy Partners, and initiatives that enhance the infrastructure for GH&D giving. Over the next five years, we focus on mobilizing resources for GH&D priorities, expanding approaches and partnerships, growing work across global regions, and cultivating the next generation of GH&D champions while reinforcing leadership in global giving. Your Role
As Senior Manager, you enable the Philanthropic Partnerships Team to translate strategic vision into practical execution. This role sits within the Strategy, Planning & Management (SPM) function, driving strategy development, planning, performance monitoring, and operational excellence at the Foundation. You guide and facilitate business planning processes, manage the team’s portfolio of investments, strengthen organizational systems, and lead business improvement initiatives that enhance impact, alignment, and collaboration. You are part of a 41‑person team that works across global offices and stewards an annual budget of $47m. You manage a team of four program assistants who support day‑to‑day operations. We’re accepting applications until 5:00 pm PDT on January 9, 2026. Please include a cover letter highlighting your work to serve under‑resourced communities in at least one of the foundation’s priority markets outside the US. What You’ll Do
You are a strategic thinker and problem solver who balances strategy and execution, structure and creativity, and brings both rigor and empathy to work on complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives in a matrixed organization. Strategy And Governance Moments
Drive the team’s operational rhythm of business, including annual governance moments, goal‑setting, budgeting and resource allocation, body of work updates, and performance tracking & measurement. Drive strategic planning efforts in collaboration with DD‑SPM and the Philanthropic Partnerships Leadership Team, including research, analysis, and project management to inform strategic pivots in the portfolio and translate strategic goals into annual implementation plans across key geographies and markets. Prepare the team for annual governance moments, learning sessions, briefings with the chair and foundation leadership; compile, analyze, and write strategy documents and progress narratives; project manage submission of all required materials. Portfolio Management And Operations
Oversee portfolio management, including investment pipeline planning, budget forecasting, and performance tracking. Drive and monitor progress against budget and key resourcing decisions; partner with internal stakeholders (Finance, Contracts, Legal) and prepare analysis and recommendations to enable data‑driven decision‑making and effective resource stewardship. Design and implement high‑quality team engagements such as all‑staff meetings, foundation week programming, team building, and learning opportunities that enable the team to deliver strategic goals across key geographies and by implementing core values (collaboration, innovation, optimism, rigor, inclusion). Coordinate thoughtful onboarding of new team members. Business Improvement And Project Management
Represent the team in cross‑foundation forums, ensuring strategic alignment, coordination, and timely information flow between the foundation, the division, and the team. Run business improvement projects supporting annual planning, resource allocation, investment management, rhythm of business, and other strategic or programmatic priorities that enable the team to mobilize philanthropic capital across key geographies and markets. Manage and lead special projects, establishing clear objectives, work plans, and accountabilities while maintaining momentum toward strategic outcomes. People Management
Provide day‑to‑day supervision, guidance, and mentorship to a team of four program assistants, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing work environment; represent the team’s needs and contributions in broader divisional and team planning and decision‑making processes. Your Experience
A master’s degree or equivalent demonstrated experience. 10+ years of equivalent experience in business administration, public policy, international development, philanthropy or a related field with a specific focus in one of the foundation’s priority geographies outside the US. Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget planning, forecasting, and performance tracking; ability to create structures and develop frameworks to increase clarity and transparency of decisions, trade‑offs, and impact on financial and organizational resources. Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into implementation through exceptional project management, content mastery, business operations, monitoring & evaluation, and change management practices; excellent analytical and communication skills, synthesizing complex ideas and data into clear insights and practical recommendations. Exceptional relationship management, with a track record of building trust and alignment across diverse teams and partners; deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and ability to integrate those values into strategy, operations, and culture. Demonstrated people management skills, including experience supervising and developing teams by fostering collaboration, professional growth, and accountability to deliver high‑quality results. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. Salary Range
The salary range for this role is $186,400 to $288,800 USD. In Seattle and Washington D.C. offices, the range is $203,100 to $314,900 USD. Actual placement will depend on candidate’s job‑related skills, experience, and expertise, evaluated during interview. Hiring Requirements
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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