Senior Program Manager

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
paid time off
United States, Washington, Seattle
500 5th Avenue North (Show on map)
Mar 27, 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 Business Operations division executes on several enabling capabilities that maintain the foundation's operational infrastructure and programmatic impact. We striveto enable the foundation's mission- and impact-driven work by maintaining an efficient, well-run global organization where employees can thrive and make their best contributions. Our goal is to provide innovative and scalable solutions to support the overall priorities, allocation, and leadership agenda with the highest standards of integrity and operational excellence. The division comprises Information Technology (IT); Facilities, Events, Travel, and Security (FETS); and the Office of the COO (OCOO) inclusive of Global Business Design and Strategy, Planning and Management functions. Facilities, Events, Travel, and Security (FETS) FETS is a business services and risk management organization serving and supporting the foundation's mission around the world. The FETS organization is responsible for all aspects of real estate and office support, support to all foundation hosted convenings and events, the global travel support associated with programmatic and operational support, as well as all facets of physical security and cybersecurity risk management globally. The FETS team reports to the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of FETS and is responsible to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the foundation's Business Operations Division. The Strategy, Planning, and Management (SPM) team drives department-wide effectiveness and facilitates initiatives that require increasing complexity, cross-functional coordination, and strategic implementation. This team supports FETS-specific initiatives, collaborates across other operational functions within Business Operations, and engages cross-divisionally with teams outside of Business Operations. This team leads and supports strategic, financial, and operational goals, enabling the FETS department to carry out its remit of optimizing operations to facilitate programmatic impact by providing solutions that meet and anticipate the foundation's evolving business needs. Your Role As the Senior Program Manager, Strategy, Planning & Management, FETS, you will join a small and mighty team while playing a critical role in supporting department strategy updates and reviews, portfolio execution, and pipeline management. This is a cross-functional role requiring systems & process-thinking, project management, organizational savvy, analytical expertise and multi-level proactive engagement. You are an organized, creative, thoughtful, and curious driver who identifies as a problem solver, trusted partner, key advisor to leadership, and subject matter expert in overall planning, communications, change management, and operational effectiveness. This role reports to the FETS department in the Business Operations division and will work in a hybrid remote arrangement from our Seattle, WA office, with an expectation of in-office engagement at least 50% of the month. What You'll Do: Drive and support the planning and execution of initiatives within FETS, ensuring alignment across internal teams, operational functions, and cross-divisionally. Support FETS leadership in driving strategy projects by analyzing data, translating goals into actionable plans, ensuring strategic alignment across project portfolios, and defining success metrics tied to divisional priorities. Facilitate and lead preparation of materials for the annual planning process, future operations strategy reviews, and submission to the COO, EOAG, CEO, and Co-Chairs. Work with the Deputy Director to provide guidance and recommendations to enhance department level operations and optimize the quality and efficiency of the delivery of key programs. Provide project management support for department-level strategy implementation and planning activities. Support the development and refinement of the FETS department strategic Vision, Mission, and Strategies as the team develops and continues to test and learn across its functions. Be responsible for department-specific enhancements of onboarding, vendor management, knowledge management, annual planning rhythm of the business (ROB), and overall health and wellness of the division. Develop departmental strategy and measurement plans and engage with key partners, including FETS XLT and other foundation and affiliate partners. Provide the Deputy Director, Strategy, Planning, and Management with critical, clear, and forward-focused thought partnership. Lead strategic planning efforts, including financial processes, budgeting, and forecasting, to advise leadership decision-making and progress tracking across FETS. Lead and continuously improve the department's infrastructure, including norms, processes, and structures, to support the department's delivery against divisional strategic priorities. Partner closely with the Senior Assistant to plan and design rhythm of the business meetings, communication and key events (e.g., retreat, cohort meetings). Promote prioritization, efficiency, and productivity on the team by providing leadership and support in process development, implementation, and continuous improvement of tools, analysis, reporting, and organizational change. Partner with FETS XLT to drive continuous learning, cultivate team cohesion, and coordinate virtual and in-person engagement opportunities. Work closely with the CSO and FETS LT to build and strengthen strategic capabilities across FETS. Your Experience: We are looking for team members who enjoy working on complex problems and collaboratively crafting strategies that have the potential to transform the lives of people around the world. Candidates must be excellent teammates who are excited to work across a diverse set of issue areas. We seek experienced professionals with demonstrated ability to support strategy and operations at large organizations. Additional knowledge and skills desired include: Experience with high-impact projects, gathering quality qualitative and quantitative analyses, elevating key insights, and communicating those insights with senior audiences. Ability to work in a self-guided manner with strong attention to detail, leading multiple priorities and demanding timelines. Shown success at leading multiple projects through execution, collecting team voice, identifying progress and barriers, implementing creative solutions, planning agendas, facilitating group problem-solving meetings, and encouraging alignment. Ability to communicate complex topics and processes clearly, succinctly, and through various forums and channels. Ability to work effectively and with sensitivity across barriers such as language, culture, and distance. Excellent listening skills and empathy. Proven knowledge of strategy development and end-to-end complex project management (including process design, team structure, critical thinking requirements, development of novel communication resources, and external/senior partner engagement). Ability to question and challenge colleagues, including managers and partners, in a constructive manner. Comfortable with highly unstructured and ambiguous situations; ability to proactively resolve issues. Excellent software skills with Microsoft Office applications, including a demonstrated ability to convey complex information using supporting tables, graphs, and other visual representations. Bachelor's degree desired or relevant experience. Key capabilities include: FETS Department Effectiveness Demonstrate business competence and ability to handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment and implement flawlessly. Operationalize sustainable and sound solutions while being adept at optimizing and scaling work processes, systems, and other initiatives to facilitate the best outcomes. Strategy Planning & Management Drive strategic planning deliverables to support department-wide processes, including communications, rhythm of the business (ROB) ownership, prioritization, annual planning, resource allocation, goal setting, and other critical FETS functions. Manage a quality, results-oriented implementation process or change that aligns with the ROB and sequencing driven by annual planning priorities and FETS cadence. Decision Making Make the best decisions based on a mixture of analysis, knowledge, and judgment in a timely manner. Apply both rational and creative processes to identify unknown root causes of problems. Based on the situation, decide the best course of action, implement solutions, and follow up with continuous improvement approaches. Collaboration/Relationship Building Work openly and transparently with others to create an environment where diverse viewpoints are valued, and information is shared while building and nurturing trusting relationships. Obtain cooperation from others, seek and encourage win-win alternatives, and work with people outside formal authority to accomplish goals. Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship. #LI-SC2 The salary range for this role is $169,700 to $254,500 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 $185,000 to $277,400 USD. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our mission. New hires salaries are typically between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate's job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process. 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.