Deputy Director, Strategy, Planning & Management
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Seattle • District of Columbia, Washington • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 $233,600 - $362,200 per year
Job Level
Lead
About the role
- Help ensure that the division operates as a strategically aligned, high-performing, and well-coordinated function
- Partner closely with the DSPM/CoS and the People Leadership Team (PLT) to drive strategy planning, portfolio management, operational excellence, and rhythm of business activities
- Enable strategic communications, progress reporting, and supporting engagements with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
- Lead a team of professionals who support planning, strategy execution, portfolio management, operational enablement, and communications and change management
- Ensure that People Team priorities are clear, visible, well understood and communicated; fostering collaboration, alignment, and impact
- Manage the People Team’s Rhythm of Business (RoB), ensuring effective preparation, follow-through, and accountability for leadership meetings and enterprise deliverables
- Drive process and systems improvements that enhance efficiency, clarity, and collaboration across the division
- Oversee operational systems related to budgeting, headcount, and portfolio tracking
- Collaborate closely with Finance, Legal, Business Operations, Foundation Strategy Office and other functional partners to ensure smooth execution of planning and reporting cycles.
- Support the design and implementation of change management and process simplification initiatives that strengthen organizational effectiveness.
- Oversee knowledge management and internal communications systems to support transparency, coordination, and information sharing across the OCPO and the People team
Requirements
- Advanced degree or equivalent experience with 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, planning, operations, or organizational effectiveness
- Demonstrated success leading strategy planning, business operations, or performance management in a complex or global organization
- Experience leading a team with a proven track record of developing talent and fostering inclusive, high-performing cultures
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills—able to synthesize complexity into clear, actionable plans and frameworks
- Skilled in project management, prioritization, and change enablement, adept at balance multiple initiatives
- Proven ability to navigate matrixed environments with diplomacy, discretion, and strong relationship management skills
- Understanding of People/HR functions (e.g., workforce planning, DEI, organizational design, culture building)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into evidence-based storytelling that informs decisions
- Commitment to actively listening to our partners and the communities they serve
- Comfortable operating across cultural and geographic contexts; global experience preferred
- Willingness to travel up to 10–15%, both domestic and international.
- Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.
Benefits
- comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums
- generous paid time off
- paid family leave
- foundation-paid retirement contribution
- regional holidays
- opportunities to engage in several employee communities
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
strategy planningportfolio managementoperational excellencechange managementprocess simplificationbudgetingheadcount trackingperformance managementproject managementorganizational effectiveness
Soft skills
analytical skillsproblem-solving skillsorganizational skillsrelationship managementcommunication skillscollaborationinclusive leadershiptalent developmentactive listeningcultural adaptability