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, weโre committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.
The TeamPolio eradication is a top priority of the Gates Foundation and the team leading this work is situated in the Global Development division. As a major supporter and partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), we contribute technical and financial resources to accelerate targeted vaccination campaigns, community mobilization, and routine immunizations. We also work with partners to improve polio surveillance and outbreak response; develop safer, more effective vaccines; and galvanize financial and political support for polio eradication efforts. We have a unique ability to contribute to the fight against polio by taking big risks and making non-traditional investments.
**Please note that this search is being supported by SRI Executive Search and Consulting**
Your Role
The Director of the Polio Program Strategy Team (PST) will be accountable for the overall execution of the Polio strategy and impact delivery, along with any strategic shifts, refinements, or additions. The role is responsible for ensuring rigorous program management across the portfolio, with priorities and progress tracked through milestone-based, timeline-driven approaches. The Director will ensure alignment with the President of Global Development, the CEO, and the Chair of the Foundation on strategic priorities, financial allocations, and risk management. The position also serves as the foundationโs relationship manager for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and will be expected to sustain the high level of confidence the CEO and Trustees have in the Polio strategy.
What Youโll Do
Lead the Polio program, including strategy development, execution, budget, staffing, management and guidance of the team, synthesis and sharing of learning, and assessment of impact;
Build and nurture a high-performing team, including development of others by identifying and mentoring high performers and building a culture of inclusion and collaboration; delegate responsibility and empower others;
Oversee the foundationโs partnership with GPEI and other key external Polio delivery partners
Cultivate critical collaborative relationships with peers and internal stakeholders.
Understand disease burden trends and continue to evolve research and development strategies that will address this burden
Prioritize innovative delivery implementation approaches that can accelerate increases in vaccine coverage including addressing zero dose children and target missed kids
Actively pursue synergies across foundation program, affiliates, functions, country teams, and external partner efforts that contribute to Polio goals;
Oversee the Polio portfolios and enforce robust team practices that ensure quality technical execution of programs, quality grantee interactions, balance in the portfolio and effective annual planning;
Provide rigorous reviews of our work that incorporate internal and external stakeholders, consider the global Polio landscapes, and steer mid-course corrections where needed;
Maintain and establish strong, collaborative relationships with key global partners and stakeholders, including both public and private entities, grantee organizations, governments, multilaterals, other funders, universities, and other valued partners;
Publicly represent the foundation Polio program on the global stage.
Your Experience
Managerial Acumen: A track record of leading teams of high-performing professionals with deep technical backgrounds; experience creating and leading large, complex collaborative networks of leading scientists and NGO and government partners; experience creating and leading innovative programs and initiatives. Experience managing within the UN system to be able to leverage the GPEI partnership for maximum impact.
Grant Management and Portfolio Experience: Familiarity with the design and rigorous management of complex grants and programs in partnership with industry and/or academia aimed at the discovery and development novel polio preventive tools (i.e., vaccines), and NGOs and multinational organizations focused on delivery of vaccines and provision of technical assistance for public health programs.
Global Leader & Networks: A leader in the global arena who can connect with the global Polio community including the upstream work on vaccine development through to partnerships with the UN and multilateral system and governments to support the scale up of Polio coverage and introduction of new products. Also capable of engaging directly with governments to support the foundation work on directly strengthening routine immunization through RISP which targets improving routine immunization in Polio High Risk geographies.
Strategic Thinking:
Defines the evolving goals of the Polio strategy within the foundation with an intellectual agility that incorporates othersโ views and added information.
Leads a Polio strategy and vision that:
Moves between the conceptual and the applied, integrating and constructively challenging current issues and initiatives, core values, and future needs in a clear and coherent way.
Provides a clear strategic direction for the Polio team โ and the foundation โ that is based on analytical rigor in goal setting, large scale project management, and impact measurement.
Collaborating and Influencing
Systematically builds support at multiple levels and across groups using complex, coordinated influence management skills that are adapted to people, organizations, and networks.
Engages global leaders from the private and public sectors, building support for Polio Eradication at the highest levels
Builds partnerships based on a collective agreement that acknowledges individual differences but creates a new commonality beyond root beliefs or culture.
Inspires key stakeholders to create opportunities and participate in driving meaningful change using well-honed verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
Leading People
Sets ambitious goals for the team and works with people managers to ensure efficient operations to deliver high priority goals in a timely manner
Brings together team members with diverse backgrounds, approaches, and beliefs to pursue a coherent long-term direction, and collaborates with the team on how to achieve it.
Actively contributes, and leads by example, to our โCulture for Impact.โ
Delegates objectives with clear and explicit intent to a team with high technical acumen, allowing the freedom to be creative in devising strategies.
Sets up practices to reinforce independent and open communication among team members and other groups within the foundation that contribute to the work of Polio program.
Holds people accountable for their commitments, providing clarity and assisting when barriers arise; maintains the teamโs focus on results, integrity, and impact.
Personal Characteristics
A healthy balance of self-confidence and humility, along with a keen desire to learn
Drives results with tenacity; is resilient and ready to lead the final chapter of polio eradication
Intellectual curiosity and honesty; attentive, empathetic, and responsive listener
Resilience in the face of difficulties; handles setbacks without losing confidence or drive
Genuine passion and commitment to the foundationโs core values and mission
Integrity and ethical rigor
The salary range for this role is $367,800 to $570,200 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 $400,900 to $621,500 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 candidateโs job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.
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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 โ of voices, ideas, and approaches โ 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.