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 TeamThe People team is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We tackle complex challenges, continually exploring new methods and embracing The People team is a strategic partner in shaping a thriving, inclusive, and high-performing organization. We steward the employee experience across the full talent lifecycleโfrom attracting and developing exceptional talent to strengthening culture, supporting well-being as well as impact, and aligning people strategies with our mission.
We tackle complex challenges, continually exploring new methods and embracing changes that lead to optimal results. As part of our team, you will collaborate with a diverse group of colleagues who are committed to delivering a superior employee experience, focusing on client needs, and maintaining fair and consistent practices for everyone. We believe that inclusive culture and equitable practices are essential to lasting impactโand we work in close partnership across teams and regions to help all employees grow, contribute, and thrive.
Your Role
The Director, Strategy, Planning and Management, and Chief of Staff, People Team, (DSPM/CoS) supports the Chief People Officer (CPO) in leading a high-impact, inclusive, and globally connected People function. This role leads and shapes strategy development and refinement, sets business rhythms, advances leadership priorities, strengthens internal and external engagement, and supports the CPOโs leadership of the function and participation in foundation-wide efforts. You will also oversee high-impact, cross-foundation initiativesโsuch as Partnerships for Impact (P4I)โthat supports how we work with partners to achieve enduring outcomes.
The ideal candidate thrives in both ambiguity and complexity, skillfully moving initiatives from concept to execution, and adapting implementation as needed. The DSPM/CoS develops a team and plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the People Teamโs work is integrated, effective, and aligned with the foundationโs mission and values. The DSPM CoS will also regularly represent the CPO and the People functionโs perspective on complex issues in cross-foundation forums.
What Youโll Do
In this role, you will have both operational and strategic/content responsibilities, including:
Leadership Advisory, Voice and Thought Partner to CPO:
Provide critical support and counsel to the CPO across a range of issues including meetings, events, trips, strategy, and grant/contract reviews, working groups, projects, reading materials, and correspondence.
Ensure the CPO voice is used internally and externally to align collaborators and support the achievement of division goals and impact. Oversee preparation, follow-up, and strategic framing for the CPOโs engagements (internal and external).
Represent the CPO and the People Team in cross-foundation efforts, forums, and external engagements.
Partner with the CPO on executive, senior leader and board engagements (e.g. ELT actions groups such Executive Operations Action Group, Employee Experience Action Group as well as the Human Capital Total Reward board committee.)
People Function Strategy, Planning & Implementation:
Translate CPO and division priorities and direction into an actionable plan to enhance effectiveness and track progress against goals.
Lead strategy development and refinement, including scenario planning, investment incubation, and KPI tracking. Bring external perspective, push innovative thinking and learning to support longer term planning.
Design and manage systems for setting, tracking, and communicating strategic and operational KPIs. Oversee MLE frameworks to assess progress, inform adaptation, and influence broader foundation strategies.
Lead critical initiatives that advance cross-team collaboration as well as cross-functional initiatives such as Partnerships for Impact (P4I).
Incubate emerging priorities and define decision criteria, investment/resourcing strategies, and organizational alignment.
Ensure that the views and needs of our regions, divisions and operational functions are represented across our work and priorities.
Operational Excellence and Rhythm of Business (RoB)
Lead business planning and key processes (e.g., budgeting, headcount, portfolio planning) to ensure efficient and aligned operations.
Develop and lead a team to support delivery of high-visibility, complex team initiatives through project management, change enablement, and org effectiveness consulting.
Supervise learning strategy and internal agenda as well as administration of budget, headcount, etc.
Oversee and advise the CPO on the teamโs workforce planning, capabilities, and optional allocation of headcount, including the development and management of direct and indirect reports (e.g. borrowed or outsource resources).
Rhythm of Business: Set and manage the RoB, ensuring smooth preparation, follow-through for leadership team and other meetings, and streamlined internal communications. Define, lead, and optimize annual business processes (e.g. resource, strategy, and portfolio planning) and coordinate divisional outputs for foundation-wide deliverables.
Operational Excellence: Lead process improvements and change management for operational initiatives as they roll out to the division. Facilitate cross-division best practice sharing, knowledge and information management.
Communications (Internal) and Change Management:
Strengthen communication channels to ensure alignment and shared understanding of strategy, priorities, milestones, and updates with internal collaborators across teams and regions.
Lead cross-functional communication efforts to support strategic projects, ensuring smooth information flow and partner engagement.
Partner with CPO in implementation, communication and change management related to People team priorities.
Team Management, Culture and Collaboration:
Build and develop direct reports; foster a high-performance, inclusive culture. Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Lead design and facilitation of internal team meetings, retreats, and other activities that strengthen team cohesion and culture.
Serve as an active member of the CoS Community of Practice, contributor to foundation-wide initiatives, and a connector across divisions (e.g., Business Ops, Finance, Legal) to enable enterprise cohesion. Partner closely with Business Operations CoS/DSPM to ensure coordination and alignment with division priorities.
Support, coordinate, and ensure clear communications and roles and responsibilities for the People teamsโ business and program partners to enhance impact and clarity.
Your Experience
Advanced degree with 15+ years of experience, or equivalent experience.
Experience working in Africa, Asia, or global contexts highly preferred.
15+ years of experience in roles of expanding scope, responsibility, and demonstrable results. Demonstrated success in planning, business operations, and performance management in complex, global environments.
Experience supporting or leading within People, Human Resources, Talent, or DEI function, with demonstrated understanding of core people practices such as workforce planning, organizational design, culture shaping, and inclusive leadership.
Foundation knowledge and experience preferred with previous roles in strategy, planning & management (SPM) experience and in close partnership with the People, HR or DEI teams.
Track record of inclusive people management and talent development. Excellent people leadership skills with demonstrated experience in coaching and developing talent. Ability to foster equitable and inclusive practices to create a work environment where everyone can do their best work.
Skilled at navigating confidential and politically sensitive matters with diplomacy, sound judgment, and discretion. Shown ability to influence and build coalitions without formal authority.
Comfortable in a wide range of cultural, geographic, and operational situations, demonstrating culturally fluent behavior across contexts.
Expertise in leading pivotal initiatives, cross-functional projects, and change management efforts.
Highly organized, thorough, and adept at handling competing priorities with clarity and focus.
Ability to partner with HR leaders, DEI experts, and business leaders to translate people strategies into measurable, enterprise-wide outcomes.
Willingness to travel up to 20%; both domestic and international.
Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
The salary range for this role is $293,200.00 to $454,400.00 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 $319,500.00 to $495,300.00 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.
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.